Skip to content 
Rolls-Royce is one of the most iconic luxury car brands in the world. It stands for craftsmanship, exclusivity, and old-school British elegance. For decades, that’s exactly what the name meant.
But Rolls-Royce went through some rough financial times in the late 20th century. That’s when a lot of people lost track of who actually owns the brand today.
So here’s the question a lot of people ask: Does BMW own Rolls-Royce? Yes, it does. But the real story is more interesting than a simple yes. It involves a corporate tug-of-war between BMW and Volkswagen, and a twist most people don’t know about: there are actually two different companies that both use the Rolls-Royce name.
If you’re a fan of luxury cars, or you’re planning to rent one in Miami, it helps to know this backstory. It explains a lot about the materials, the performance, and why a Rolls-Royce feels the way it does.
Let’s break down who owns Rolls-Royce, how BMW ended up with it, and what that means for the brand today.
A Brief History of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Rolls-Royce was founded in 1904 by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce. From day one, the brand built a name for precision engineering and hand-built luxury. Its cars were smooth, quiet, and reliable, favorites of royalty and the elite around the world.
Over the years, the Rolls-Royce name grew beyond cars. It became tied to aviation and industrial engineering too. Eventually, the car-making side and the aerospace side split into separate businesses.
Today, there are two completely separate companies:
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars builds only luxury vehicles. It’s been a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW since 2003.
- Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is an independent, publicly traded British engineering company. It focuses on aerospace engines and power systems. BMW has no stake in this company at all.
Does BMW Own Rolls-Royce?
Yes. BMW owns Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the company that actually builds the cars. Full production under BMW started on January 1, 2003, at a new factory in Goodwood, England. This setup lets BMW share its engineering and technology with Rolls-Royce, while still keeping the brand’s hand-built, bespoke tradition intact.
One thing worth being clear on: BMW does not own Rolls-Royce’s aerospace or jet-engine business. That side belongs entirely to Rolls-Royce Holdings, a completely different company that makes aircraft engines and power systems. BMW’s ownership only covers the car side of things.
How BMW Acquired Rolls-Royce
The story of how BMW ended up with Rolls-Royce is a bit unusual. In the end, BMW and Volkswagen both walked away with a piece of the pie.
1998: Vickers sells Rolls-Royce Motors to Volkswagen
Vickers plc owned the Rolls-Royce Motors car business at the time, including Bentley and the factory in Crewe. It put the whole thing up for sale. Volkswagen won the bidding war and paid around £430 million for the factory, the Bentley name, and the workforce.
But there was a catch
Volkswagen’s deal didn’t actually include the Rolls-Royce trademark or logo. Those rights belonged separately to Rolls-Royce plc, the aerospace company known today as Rolls-Royce Holdings. That gave them the final say on who could license the name.
BMW steps in
BMW already supplied engines and parts to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, so it had a natural connection. BMW negotiated directly with Rolls-Royce plc and bought the rights to the name, the logo, and the “Spirit of Ecstasy” emblem for around £40 million.
A transition period followed
Volkswagen kept building cars under the Rolls-Royce name at Crewe under license until the end of 2002. Meanwhile, BMW built a brand new factory at Goodwood.
January 1, 2003: the handover
BMW’s new company, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, became the only maker of Rolls-Royce cars. Volkswagen kept the Crewe factory and the Bentley name. That’s why, today, Bentley belongs to Volkswagen and Rolls-Royce belongs to BMW, even though both cars used to come off the same production line.
Quick Ownership Timeline
| Year | Event |
| 1904 | Rolls-Royce founded by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce |
| 1973 | Car and aerospace businesses formally split |
| 1998 | Vickers sells Rolls-Royce Motors (factory + Bentley) to Volkswagen |
| 1998 | BMW separately buys the Rolls-Royce name and logo rights from Rolls-Royce plc |
| 1998 to 2002 | Volkswagen builds Rolls-Royce cars under license at Crewe |
| 2003 | BMW’s Rolls-Royce Motor Cars opens at Goodwood; Volkswagen keeps only Bentley |
| Today | Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a BMW subsidiary; Rolls-Royce Holdings is an independent aerospace company |
Rolls-Royce vs. Bentley: Who Owns What
Rolls-Royce and Bentley were built side by side for decades. So people often assume the same company still owns both. It doesn’t.
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is owned by BMW Group
- Bentley Motors is owned by Volkswagen Group
The two brands split cleanly in 2003. They’ve been rivals in the ultra-luxury space ever since.
What BMW’s Ownership Means for Rolls-Royce
Being under BMW gives Rolls-Royce access to modern engineering, new technology, and the latest automotive know-how. The cars end up more reliable and more current, without losing what makes them Rolls-Royce.
Even with BMW’s involvement, Rolls-Royce cars are still hand-built at the Goodwood factory in England. Every car uses the finest materials and the same level of craftsmanship the brand has always been known for.
BMW provides the engineering resources and technical support. But Rolls-Royce keeps full control over design and creative direction. That’s what keeps every model feeling unmistakably Rolls-Royce: German engineering under the hood, classic British luxury everywhere else.
Is Rolls-Royce Still Truly “British”?
Yes, it is. Rolls-Royce cars are still built in Goodwood, England, by a skilled British workforce. The brand’s public identity, its heritage, style, and bespoke approach, is still very much British.
BMW’s role happens mostly behind the scenes. It provides engineering, technology, and investment. But the finished product still feels, looks, and drives like classic British luxury.
Key Difference: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars vs. Rolls-Royce Holdings
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (Luxury Vehicles)
Owned by BMW. Builds hand-crafted luxury cars like the Phantom, Ghost, Cullinan, and Spectre. Custom, bespoke work is at the core of everything it does.
Rolls-Royce Holdings (Aerospace & Power Systems)
A completely independent, publicly traded British company. It makes aircraft engines, marine systems, and industrial power systems. It doesn’t build a single car.
Why These Companies Are Totally Different Today
The split lets each company focus on what it’s good at. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars focuses on luxury and craftsmanship. Rolls-Royce Holdings focuses on aerospace engineering. They share a name and a history, but not a boardroom, a balance sheet, or a strategy.
Top Rolls-Royce Models Under BMW Ownership
From the electric Spectre to icons like the Phantom and Ghost, here’s a look at how BMW’s ownership shows up across the current lineup.
Rolls-Royce Phantom
The purest expression of Rolls-Royce luxury and presence. Under BMW, it gets modern engineering and a quieter ride, while keeping its timeless design.
Rolls-Royce Ghost
A more accessible entry point into the brand. BMW’s engineering improves the ride, performance, and handling, while keeping that classic Rolls-Royce feel.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan
The brand’s flagship SUV. It mixes off-road capability with bespoke luxury. BMW’s influence brings high-performance drivetrains and modern safety tech, without losing any elegance.
Rolls-Royce Spectre (Electric Era)
Rolls-Royce’s first electric model. It combines BMW’s EV technology with Rolls-Royce’s luxury standards, silent, powerful, and still hand-built.
Why Rolls-Royce Is Still the Ultimate Luxury Car
Bespoke Interiors and Handcrafted Details
Every interior is custom-built to the owner’s taste. Hand-stitched leather, unique wood veneers, nothing too small to matter.
Advanced Ride Comfort and Quietness
Sophisticated suspension and careful sound insulation make for one of the smoothest, quietest rides you’ll find anywhere.
Prestige, Exclusivity, and Brand Heritage
Owning a Rolls-Royce signals status and heritage. Few brands carry that same weight.
Appeal Among Luxury Car Renters in Miami
We’re a leading provider of luxury car rental in Miami, and we see it firsthand: Rolls-Royce remains one of the most requested brands among visitors and residents who want top-tier elegance on Miami’s roads.
Feel the Luxury of a Rolls-Royce with Premier Auto Miami
Rolls-Royce cars offer unmatched prestige, elegance, and comfort. That makes them the perfect choice for a show-stopping experience in Miami. Whether it’s a wedding, a big business meeting, or a night out on the town, showing up in a Rolls-Royce rental makes the moment memorable.
At Premier Auto Miami, our Rolls-Royce fleet is well maintained. Our team is committed to making every rental exceed your expectations.
Final Words
Yes, BMW has owned Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since 2003. It took a few years to get there, and the deal ended up separating the Rolls-Royce name from Volkswagen’s purchase of the original car business. BMW brings the engineering muscle, the modern tech, and the financial backing. Rolls-Royce keeps its design and craftsmanship fully independent, and unmistakably British.
Whether you’re behind the wheel of a Phantom, Ghost, Cullinan, or Spectre, the result is the same: an experience nothing else can match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BMW own Rolls-Royce’s aerospace or jet engine business?
No. That side belongs to Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, an independent British engineering company. It has nothing to do with BMW or Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
When did BMW take over Rolls-Royce Motor Cars?
BMW secured the rights to the name, logo, and Spirit of Ecstasy emblem in 1998. It took full production control on January 1, 2003, when its new Goodwood factory opened.
How much did BMW pay for Rolls-Royce?
BMW paid Rolls-Royce plc around £40 million for the name, logo, and emblem. That’s a separate deal from Volkswagen’s roughly £430 million purchase of the original factory and the Bentley brand.
Does BMW also own Bentley?
No. Bentley Motors belongs to the Volkswagen Group, not BMW. The two brands split in 2003, after decades of sharing the same production lines.
What’s the difference between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Rolls-Royce Holdings?
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, owned by BMW, builds luxury cars. Rolls-Royce Holdings is an independent company that builds aerospace engines and power systems. They’re entirely separate businesses that happen to share a name.
Is Rolls-Royce still made in England?
Yes. Every Rolls-Royce is still hand-built in Goodwood, West Sussex, England, by a British workforce, no matter who owns the company.
Why does it matter that BMW owns Rolls-Royce cars?
Because it means reliable engineering, modern technology, and strong financial backing, all while Rolls-Royce keeps doing what it’s always done best: hand-built luxury, elegance, and exclusivity.
