BMW-owned ultra-luxury automaker Rolls-Royce says that its 2008 sales increased 20 percent over the previous year, marking the fifth consecutive year where sales have climbed. Despite economic hardships across the globe, Rolls-Royce managed to sell 1,212 cars in 2008, mostly in the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates.
North America, including Canada and Mexico, accounted for 38 percent of Rolls-Royce’s calendar-year sales last year and the automaker says its Beverly Hills, California, retail outlet was one of its five highest-grossing dealerships in the world. The other four, not in any order, included Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London and Beijing.

Rolls-Royce also saw sales increases in Northern Europe – up 95 percent – and the Middle East – up 48 percent.