Here is a brief history of Rolls-Royce ownership:
Early 20th Century:
- Rolls-Royce Limited was founded in 1904 by Henry Royce and Charles Rolls.
1971:
- Rolls-Royce Limited went into receivership due to financial difficulties.
1973:
- The British government nationalized Rolls-Royce Limited and split it into two entities:
- Rolls-Royce (1971) Limited: Focused on manufacturing aero engines and other industrial products.
- Rolls-Royce Motors Limited: Responsible for the production of luxury automobiles.
1980:
- Rolls-Royce Motors Limited was sold to Vickers plc, a British engineering conglomerate.
1998:
- Volkswagen AG, a German automotive group, acquired Rolls-Royce Motors Limited from Vickers plc.
2003:
- BMW AG, a German luxury car manufacturer, acquired Rolls-Royce Motors Limited from Volkswagen AG.
Since 2003, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG. BMW continues to invest in and support the development of Rolls-Royce vehicles, maintaining the brand's reputation for producing some of the most luxurious and prestigious automobiles in the world.
