Home Part 2: The Last 100 years 8: Car Manufacturers by Country 8.7 Great Britain (UK) 8.7.5. Rolls-Royce History of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars / Automobiles 8.7.5. Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce Limited was formed in 1906 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. In 1904 an agreement had been reached that C S Rolls & Co would sell only cars manufactured by Royce Limited and that the cars would bear the name “Rolls-Royce”. Between 1904 and the start of World War 2 in 1939 about 22,200 cars were produced. In 1907 the company launched the six-cylinder Silver Ghost, selling 6,173 by 1925. Between 1906 and 1972 the company produced some 20 different models, including the Phantom, Wraith, Silver Wraith, Silver Dawn and Silver Shadow range. In 1971 Rolls-Royce Limited was nationalised by the British Government when it encountered serious financial problems. Two years later, in 1973, it was de-nationalised with the formation of  “Rolls-Royce Motors” and “Rolls-Royce Limited” (aero-engine business). In 1975 “Rolls-Royce Motors” launched the Camargue, production of which ceased in 1986. “Rolls Royce Motors” was acquired by the British company Vickers in 1980 and then, in 1998, by Volkswagen. The rights to the Rolls-Royce name and logo were, however, licensed to BMW and “Rolls-Royce Motors” were only allowed to use the name and logo until 1 January 2003.  In 2002 the Volkswagen owned “Rolls-Royce Motors” ceased production of their Corniche model. In January 2003 BMW’s subsidiary “Rolls-Royce Motor Cars” launched their Phantom model.   [ Back ]