In an effort to combat a growing trend in the luxury car industry, Rolls-Royce, the renowned luxury car manufacturer, has announced a decisive move. The company has declared its zero tolerance for buyers who purchase their vehicles solely for profit, commonly known as car flippers. Determined to maintain the exclusivity and integrity of their brand, Rolls-Royce has taken a firm stance, vowing to permanently blacklist anyone attempting to flip their Rolls-Royce Spectre EV for profit.
The Seriousness of the Policy
The CEO of Rolls-Royce, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, made it clear in an interview with Car Dealer magazine that this policy is of utmost importance. Müller-Ötvös firmly stated,
They’re going immediately on a blacklist, and this is it—you will never ever have the chance to acquire again.
Rolls-Royce is not alone in expressing frustration with car flippers, as Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger voiced similar disapproval back in 2017. He criticized customers who treated their cars as mere investments instead of vehicles meant to be enjoyed on the open road.
Part of a Wider Movement
Rolls-Royce’s strong stance against car flippers aligns with a larger movement within the automotive industry. General Motors (GM), for example, recently introduced penalties for customers who flip the highly sought-after Corvette Z06. These penalties include the removal of certain warranties if the car is sold within a year and disqualification from securing allocations for future GM vehicles. While these measures aim to discourage car flipping, they have raised concerns among high-end car dealers who rely on buying and selling rare, high-value vehicles for profit.
Mixed Reactions
While Rolls-Royce’s new policy has garnered support, not everyone is thrilled about it. Prominent UK supercar dealer Tom Hartley expressed his opposition, particularly concerning the impact on customers who have invested significant sums of money in their cars.
Hartley Says:
I have already agreed to buy two Spectres from customers. I do not think it is fair for car makers to tell customers who have spent close to half a million pounds on a car what they can do with it.
Preserving Exclusivity and Loyalty
Rolls-Royce’s decision to implement a lifetime blacklisting of car flippers demonstrates its strong commitment to preserving the brand and satisfying its loyal customers. Although it may spark debate within the industry, the luxury car manufacturer hopes that this bold move will deter those seeking to profit from their vehicles and maintain the exclusivity of the Rolls-Royce driving experience.
