On this day 20 years ago: last Rolls-Royce rolls off Crewe production line
By Deborah Bowyer
30th Aug 2022 | Local News
Today (August 30) marks 20 years since the last ever Crewe-built Rolls-Royce rolled off the production line - remaining the property of the Pyms Lane factory ever since.
The Rolls-Royce Corniche, styled to reflect the interior of the 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, was finished on Friday 30 August 2002.
At the time, the unique two-door Silver Storm coloured convertible, was believed to be valued above the the original £250,000 Corniche list price.
Crewe's Pyms Lane factory first began producing Bentleys and Rolls-Royces in 1946.
Between 2001 and 2002, there were 45 Rolls-Royce Corniche and 170 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph last-of-line series models produced at Crewe.
Like all the last ever Crewe built Rolls-Royce's, the Corniche was badged with a distinctive red interlocked "R-R" - like the original Rolls-Royce motor cars.
The production of the last Corniche marked the end of 56 years of Rolls-Royce production at Crewe.
Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motors confirmed Crewe-built vehicle would remain the property of the Pyms Lane factory.
17 days later, on Monday 16 September 2002, the factory became Bentley Motors Limited.
Owners of the site, Volkswagen AG, carried out a £500 million investment of the factory and the Bentley marque.
Moving forward to 2021, Bentley Motors' operating profits rose to €389 million, €369 million more than in 2020 - it is expanding year-on-year.
During that year, 14,659 luxury cars were produced - a 31% increase on the previous record year of 2020.
Following its departure from Crewe, Rolls-Royce cars went on to be made by BMW in West Sussex.
Since January 2003, each Rolls-Royce motor car has been produced at its manufacturing facility and headquarters in Goodwood, England.
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