Everybody agrees that 2011 was a rubbish financial year for most businesses. Not for Rolls Royce though, as they enjoyed record sales in company’s 107-year history.

Last year they delivered 3,538 cars to customers around the world, which is a remarkable 31 per cent more than 2010’s 2,711 units. The figure represents the best sales result in the company’s 107-year history; the previous record of 3,347 cars having been set in 1978 during the Silver Shadow II era.

That number can be contributed to the growing number of millionaires, but you have give the credit to RR’s top brass and their strategies in launching the Ghost and expanding the Phantom family.

China and the United States were the most significant individual markets for Rolls-Royce, while there was a 30 per cent growth in the UK market as well. In Continental Europe, Germany and Russia were the largest growth markets, each more than doubling sales compared to 2010. As for the growth, notable results seen in Asia Pacific (up 47%), North America (up 17%) and the Middle East (up 23%).

Rolls-Royce Bespoke personalisation programme also had a great year in 2011, with almost every Phantom family model leaving the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood came with some element of bespoke personalisation, from unique paint colours, interior detailing and embroidery, to exquisite whole vehicle designs including champagne sets, humidors and picnic sets.

The other British uber-luxe marque, Bentley also enjoyed an enormous success last year, with its sales back to pre-recession level.