Rolls-Royce shows even the uber-rich are out to make a quick buck

Rolls-Royce will blacklist customers who flip its first electric vehicle, the Spectre, for a profit.

The company’s CEO has confirmed customers looking to purchase the company’s first electric vehicle will go through a screening process to qualify for a production slot.

Those who on-sell the vehicle for a profit after delivery can say goodbye to purchasing a brand new Rolls-Royce forever.

“I can tell you we are really sanitising the need to prove who you are, what you want to do with the car – you need to qualify for a car and then you might get a slot for an order,” Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös told Car Dealer Magazine.

“[If they sell the car on] they’re going immediately on a blacklist and this is it – you will never ever have the chance to acquire again.

“Many buyers see Spectre as the very first proposition in the ultra luxury segment to go electric and that is quite something.

“It’s a similar kind of feeling as in 2007, to carry your very first iPhone in your pocket to be seen behind the wheel of a Spectre.”

According to Car Dealer Magazine, it seems Mr Müller-Ötvös’ view doesn’t mesh with that of British luxury used car dealer Tom Hartley, who said his dealership will have a Spectre “within two weeks of it being launched”.

Mr Hartley has confirmed the purchase of two Spectres for his dealership which carry an additional £50,000 premium over the manufacturer’s suggested price.

“Money talks and manufacturers will never stop successful entrepreneurs, businessmen and aristocrats from selling their cars,” said Mr Hartley, according to Car Dealer Magazine.

“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.

“It’s not right. People’s circumstances change, they could have a genuine reason for the sale such as financial problems.

Mr Hartley suspects some owners will enjoy the vehicle for a short time before cashing in on the vehicle’s high demand.

“This will be an amazing car and in London where having one first is important, it will command a premium,” said Mr Hartley.

“But that premium will be short lived. It’s an “in vogue” situation. People want to be the first with the new toy which gives people a short window to make a profit.

“The people who buy these cars are business people and in that world sometimes a healthy profit talks.”

Mr Müller-Ötvös has previously said demand for the Spectre is so high the company may need to increase production.

Rolls-Royce revealed the Spectre two-door electric coupe last October, and at this stage customer deliveries of the Spectre are expected to commence from the fourth quarter of 2023.

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