The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Rolls-Royce

  • Ronaldo adds £330,000 Rolls-Royce Ghost to his fleet

     

    Cristiano Ronaldo has once again added to his ever-growing collection of luxury supercars.

    The Juventus talisman is quite partial to fast motors, and took to social media this week to show off his latest acquisition; a stunning £330,000 Rolls-Royce Ghost.

    Ronaldo stood beside the pristine white supercar for a picture, which he shared with his 156 million online followers along with the caption: ‘job done.

    Being one of the world’s best-paid athletes certainly has its perks, with Ronaldo’s stable of luxury vehicles boasting the likes of Bugattis, Lamborghinis and the occasional Ferrari.

    The 34-year-old’s debut season in Italian football is continuing to unfold at lightning pace, reaching new heights as each week passes.

    Ronaldo currently leads the way in the goalscoring charts with 19 Serie A strikes to his name – one better than AC Milan’s recent signing Krzysztof Piatek.

    Juve also top the division by an incredible 13 points after 25 games played – and are yet to lose a single league game all season.

    They travel to Naples on Sunday where a victory could all but wrap up the title race.

    Napoli currently sit in second place, but potential defeat and a 16-point deficit at this stage in the season would be almost impossible to overturn.

    On the European front, however, things aren’t quite as a rosy, with Juve facing elimination in the last 16 stage at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

    The two sides are set to meet on March 12 in Turin, with Juve required to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg.

  • Airbus poaches Rolls-Royce executive to head aircraft sales

    Airbus poaches Rolls-Royce executive to head aircraft sales

    Airbus has hired the head of Rolls-Royce ’s civil engines unit, Eric Schulz, to replace John Leahy to lead its commercial aircraft sales, following months of uncertainty over replacement for the veteran deal maker.

    Schulz, who had been president of Rolls Royce’s civil aerospace unit since January 2016, will report to Airbus chief executive Tom Enders and will join in January 2018, Airbus said.

    “We are glad to have Eric Schulz joining our team.

    He has broad international experience in the aerospace industry, deep understanding of airline operations and aero engines as well as proven-track record in effectively leading organisations in complex-environments,” Enders said.

    Schulz, a 54-year-old French engineer, began his career at one of Airbus’s founders, France’s former state-owned Aerospatiale.

    Thereafter, he worked at aerospace supplier Goodrich via a stint at two French airlines: UTA and Air Liberte.

    He is part of a relatively new management team that pulled Rolls-Royce out of a compliance scandal and financial problems.

    Schulz will inherit a Toulouse sales organization unsettled by recent defeats to Boeing (BA.N) and seeking stability amid UK and French corruption probes, which center on a now defunct Paris-based unit of Airbus headquarters.

    Leahy had been in the sales post since 1994 and is a dominant figure in the $100 billion-a-year aerospace industry, making his succession one of the sector’s most closely watched moves.

    Airbus said Leahy,  known in the industry as “Mr Airbus” – would remain with the company for a short, transitional period.

    NAN

  • DSS finds Rolls Royce in judge’s 15 cars fleet

    DSS finds Rolls Royce in judge’s 15 cars fleet

    Justices must go, says govt

    Buhari meets CJN Mahmud

    Detectives found a Rolls Royce in the fleet of about 15 cars of one of the seven judges under investigation by the Department of State Services (DSS), The Nation learnt yesterday.

    The judge was said to have hired a notable construction firm to build his palatial home and imported furniture from Brazil, Argentina and Spain.

    The judge, said a source close to the investigation, once conducted his “poor colleagues” around his mansion.

    Another judge told the DSS that he did not know how N18million was paid into his account and he did not get alert to enable him complain to his bankers.

    One of the judges also said the money found in his account was his accumulated medical allowances.

    Another judge was found to have submitted three assets declaration forms to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

    The asset forms of the seven judges, who were arrested last weekend in a controversial sting operation, were being analysed by the DSS yesterday.

    The Federal Government has foreclosed the return of all the seven judges to the bench.

    The government believes the judges cannot be in the dock and be adjudicating at the same time.

    Those arrested are: Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro – the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike; Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court; and Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court).

    Of the seven Justices, Tsamiya, Umezulike and Auta have been recommended for sanctions by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    Detectives have uncovered more corrupt practices traced to some of the judges undergoing probe, the source said, pleading not to be named because he is not permitted to talk to the media.

    The source said: “Operatives have discovered that one of the judges owns a mansion which was contracted to a construction firm at a huge cost. In fact, the judge imported furniture from Brazil, Argentina and Spain.

    “At a stage, he conducted his ‘poor colleagues’ round the mansion in an open display of affluence. The judge has about 15 cars, including a Rolls Royce. This Rolls Royce was imported.

    ”During interrogation, another judge told DSS team that he did not know how and when N18million was lodged in his account because he was not getting alert from his bank. But we have evidence of withdrawals from the account.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “We have retrieved the assets declaration forms of these judges. It was shocking that one of them has three asset declaration forms with different dates of birth.”

    He said instead, the government had asked the NJC to suspend them, pending the conclusion of their trial.

    Those who may not be allowed back to the bench are Justice Ngwuta, Justice Okoro, Justice Ademola and Justice Pindiga.

    The source said the judges could be retired.

    He said however that the judges will still go through trial to enable Nigerians know that “they were actually caught in the act”.

    “The position of the government is that none of these judges will be allowed back to the bench in the interest of the nation’s Judiciary. They cannot be arraigned in the dock and at the same time be adjudicating or attending to cases.

    “It is left to the NJC to allow the affected judges to keep off the bench until their fate is determined. But certainly, they will face trial and the outcome will determine whether or not they will be retired or dismissed.

    “We are expecting the NJC to do the needful by suspending the judges.”

    It was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief Justice Mahmud Mohammed had actually met on the arrest of seven judges.

    A source said: “The CJN sought for audience and met with the President on Saturday on the arrest of the judges. I think they compared notes but no one can give you the details.

    “I think the President must have briefed the CJN on the security reports at his disposal.”

     

  • Bishop Tom Samson gets 2014 Rolls Royce Phantom as birthday gift

    For workers in the vineyard of God, the perks and blessings are unlimited. This may best explain Bishop Tom Samson’s recent birthday gift in form of a wonder on wheels. The General Overseer of Christ Royal Family Int’l Church on Sunday March 27 received a gift of Rolls Royce Phantom as birthday gift.

    The 2014 customised extended wheel base beast was a gift from the organising committee of his 50th birthday in appreciation of his impact on their lives as his flock.

    The bishop was more than pleased at the gesture and could not find the words to express his gratitude to the committee, led by Deacon Iyke Kanu. According to the committee head, the Delta State-born bishop has impacted their lives tremendously and there is nothing more befitting of his 50th birthday celebration than an automobile of royal ensemble.

  • Rolls-Royce: elegance, speed, dynamism

    Rolls-Royce: elegance, speed, dynamism

    Rolls-Royce has been considered the ultimate vehicle for decades, and the Phantom ultra-luxury sedan is a testament to Rolls-Royce’s reputation. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was at the Banana Island where the Phantom, Wraith and Ghost were put to test drive last week.

    Unsurpassed levels of comfort, the best interior materials and unparalleled exclusivity are hallmarks of Rolls-Royce cars, but only a select few are able to enjoy this level of craftsmanship.

    It doesn’t get much better than Rolls-Royce. Considered the world’s finest automobile, Rolls-Royce has been under the stewardship of BMW for over a decade, and their Phantom sedan, launched in 2003, revived the brand from near obscurity to one of the foremost symbols of extreme wealth.

    The Phantom is like an icing on the cake for the Wraith and Ghost models.

    The three were put to a test ride last Saturday at Banana Island, a town specially carved out for the super rich in the Centre of Excellence -Lagos.

    According to Tolulope Gbadamosi, Brand Manager, Rolls Royce Motor Cars in Nigeria, the cars are meant for ultra-high network of individuals.

    No wonder, only 225 units are currently being in circulation across the country, which make Nigeria, the highest users of Rolls Royce in Africa.

    The drive experience speaks of the effort put into the brand. For instance, the organisation maintained that Rolls-Royce used to produce the chassis with engine and drivetrain which was then sent to a dedicated coach-builder who finished the body of the car. The final car would return to the Rolls-Royce factory before handing them over to the customer with full warranty from Rolls-Royce. Even if components made by the coach-builder broke Rolls-Royce would look after the defect.

    The cars’ RR monogram in the centre of the tyres stays upright always – the only car in the world with such monumental achievement.

    Taking about the Ghost, its innovative technology and unrivalled engineering make the driving intuitive. Rooted in simplicity, every detail has a timeless elegance and purity, allowing you to forge a graceful path through an ever-changing world.

    It possesses a modern masterpiece of simplicity.The Ghost overrules tradition. Its modern shape creates an informal presence. And the powerful grille, chrome bumper and LED headlights exude contemporary dynamism.

    Instantly recognisable from the front, Ghost has a purposeful stance as it waits to be driven. Integrated LED headlights emit a mystical glow, framed by the unbroken daytime running lights. And the subtle sculpting of the bumper – together with the aerodynamic jet air intake-styled front grille – enhance its dynamism. Undeniably streamlined, the fluid lines are accentuated by the Spirit of Ecstasy, tilted seven degrees further forward and ready to lead the way as you take to the road.

    Bold and powerful yet remarkably restrained, Ghost is armed with a twin-turbo 6.6-litre V12 engine. Select from five wheel designs and two finishes, each featuring unique, self-righting wheel centres – so that the Rolls Royce monogram is always displayed upright.

    The Wraith takes to the road in style and unique expression. Drench it in the two-tone colour scheme one always dreamed about. It makes a statement with contrasting coach lines and brings the night sky inside with a bespoke starlight headliner.

    It takes 450 hours to build and craft Wraith. To make the inside as spacious as possible, engineers build the steel monocoque body by hand. And the effort spent perfectly bookmatching veneers and working the leather is merely a glimpse of the craftsmanship involved in creating the power, style and drama of Wraith.

    The craftspeople are limited only by one’s imagination.

    Continuing this attention to detail are our leather experts. Using 219 pieces of the highest-grade leather, they hand-stitch sections along the sides of the interior to echo the sweeping lines of the fastback design. Over time, the leather develops its own character – not mass-produced and one that never squeaks or cracks.

    In the Woodshop, woodwork specialists spend up to a month shaping, sanding and polishing numerous wood parts. To make the interior unique to clientele, choose between traditional or contemporary grains or Canadel Panelling.

    The boldest expression of Rolls Royce yet, the striking fastback silhouette of Wraith exudes elegance and power. Expressive, sweeping lines and a wide rear track give it a dynamic and athletic prowess. And the long bonnet, deep grille and pronounced air intakes promise truly potent performance.

    Redefining the boundaries of Rolls Royce motor cars, Wraith has a fleeting and enigmatic presence. With a curved, dynamic appearance and fastback design, Wraith evokes a sense of energy, even while standing still. Its innate drama materialises in the twin exhausts and frameless coach doors, which open wider than on any other Rolls Royce motor car. And the deeply recessed vertical grille adds to Wraith’s confident stance.

    A key attribute of Rolls Royce DNA, Wraith possesses the classic 2:1 proportions of wheel to body height. The long rear overhang and signature self-righting wheel centres endure too. But the iconic spirit of ecstasy sits further forward and at a sharper angle on the grille, conveying Wraith’s boundless determination as it cuts through the wind.

    The Phantom delivers the utmost in motoring luxury in all of its derivatives, with a price tag to match.

    It could be argued that the Rolls-Royce Phantom represents the pinnacle of the auto world, the sole occupant of some very rarified air. Shy of the latest Maybach revival and the Bentley Mulsanne, there is no production vehicle that comes close to its levels of opulence.

    Motivation for the Phantom comes from the massive 6.75-liter V-12 engine rated at 453 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque. It may not be as potent as the engine in the smaller Ghost, but it is still enough to get the Phantom to 60 mph in less than six seconds. Outright speed is not the mission of the Phantom, anyway, it is providing an effortless and serene atmosphere. An eight-speed automatic transmission handles the gear shifts, imperceptibly so, sending power to the rear wheels.

    The Phantom sedan isn’t a driver’s car. It is meant to be ridden in, with a driver at the helm. Accordingly, handling and agility aren’t among its strengths; at least not without considering its size. At nearly 20 feet in length, the Phantom is Chevrolet Suburban-sised. It lords over pretty much everything that isn’t an SUV or truck. Independent suspension, self-leveling air springs, electronic damping, and feather-light steering give the Phantom more maneuvering aplomb than one would expect, however. Fuel economy is also in line with its size, at 11 mpg city and 19 mpg highway for all models.

    Gbadamosi said it required timeline to order for the vehicle depending on the features customers want in the car, which may include fridge, rear and slide curtains, rear theatre entertainment and others.

    “We give customers two to three weeks to think of how you want your cars to look like and if there will be any change to be effected,” he said.

    According to him, maintaining the cars in Nigeria won’t be a problem since Rolls Royce Motor Cars outlet in Nigeria can now be maintained by a team of expatriates from Spain and Greece.

    He said that there is a regional training supporting the aftersales to make sure they meet the Rolls Royce standard and to make sure they deliver on the brand promise to customers.

     

  • Ramesh Babu, the barber, who owns a Rolls Royce

    Ramesh Babu, the barber, who owns a Rolls Royce

    Bangalore resident Ramesh Babu, is a star in his own league who runs the business of cutting and styling hair. He is an ordinary businessman, with an extraordinary wealth. He is a billionaire and owns a rent-a-car fleet of 67 alternative cars.

    At the moment his fleet consists of about 200 cars, vans and mini-buses, including imported vehicles—a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, Mercedes C, E and S class and BMW 5, 6 and 7 series. He has a fleet of imported Mercedes vans and Toyota mini-buses.

    “This is more of a passion,” he says. As for being a barber, “I will continue to be one as long as my hands are healthy.”

     

    • Source: Indiatvnews
  • Buhari rejects Rolls Royce in London

    Buhari rejects Rolls Royce in London

    •Meets PM Cameron

    President-elect Muhammadu Buhari, currently on a private visit to England, on Friday turned down the use of a Rolls Royce made available for him by the Nigerian High Commission in London.

    Buhari shocked officials of the High Commission when, on landing at the Heathrow Airport, he declined to make use of  the  Rolls Royce and other facilities offered him.

    The Nation gathered that after exchanging pleasantries with the embassy officials led by the High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, the president-elect politely told them that his visit was strictly private and he had made arrangement for all his needs while in the UK.

    He reportedly thanked them for the warm reception and quickly hopped into a less flamboyant car he had arranged for and drove out of the airport.

    A source said: “It appeared he was uncomfortable with the number of exotic cars in the convoy.

    “Hard as the stunned diplomats present tried to convince him, he refused to bulge, insisting that since he did not inform the Commission of his visit because it was not an official trip, hence he was not entitled to such grandeur.”

    Buhari, yesterday, held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron at his 10, Downing Street official residence.

    Top of their discussion was the continued threat to Nigeria’s security by the terror group, Boko Haram.

    The official website of the UK government said after the talks that “both leaders congratulated each other on their recent election victories and discussed the challenges facing Nigeria.”

    It added: “the Prime Minister stressed the UK’s wish to work for a stable, prosperous and secure Nigeria.

    “The leaders discussed security in the region and the fight against terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Boko Haram.

    “They discussed the need for a regional approach and agreed to continue working together to build the capacity of the Nigerian Army, with the UK continuing to provide military training and intelligence support.

    “On tackling corruption, they agreed this was a priority to ensure Nigeria’s prosperity and success.”

    Mr. Cameron was said to have agreed to look at what technical assistance and support the UK could provide to the Nigerian government as it looks to undertake its reforms.

    “They also discussed the need to tackle organised crime and the links between the UK and Nigeria.

    “Finally, they talked about the challenges posed by migration from Africa to Europe and the president-elect said he would do all he could to secure Nigeria’s borders,” the statement said.

     

  • Rolls-Royce cuts 600 marine jobs

    Rolls-Royce says the future prospects for the marine business remain bright Rolls-Royce said it plans to cut 600 jobs in its marine unit by the end of the year, in response to “challenging market conditions”.

    The reduction will be global, but half will be in Norway, where most employees and manufacturing are located.

    The marine business employs about 6,000 people in 34 countries. Mikael Makinen, president of the marine division, said: “The effect of low oil prices means we have to continue to look for further efficiencies.

    “The future prospects for the marine business remain bright, and we are focused on maintaining our position as a technology leader, but we must drive further cost reduction today so that we are ready to grow tomorrow,” he added.

    The reductions announced are in addition to programmes already under way to consolidate manufacturing at several Rolls-Royce locations in the UK, US, Norway, Sweden and South Korea.

    Last November, the company said it would cut its headcount by 2,600 jobs, mainly in its aerospace division.

  • Rolls-Royce Wraith film out

    Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled the new Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ edition, which made its debute last week at this year’s New York Auto Show, and now available to order for Rolls-Royce customers in Nigeria for a limited time.

    Wraith ‘Inspired by Film’ celebrates Rolls-Royce’s long heritage in film, with the pinnacle of automotive luxury taking leading roles in movies since the dawn of film-making, featuring in hits such as Goldfinger (1964), The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964), The Thomas Crowne Affair (1968) and The Great Gatsby (both the 1974 original and its remake in 2013) to name a few.

    This limited edition also celebrated the acceptance of the ground-breaking Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Wraith launch film, ‘And the World Stood Still’, into the BFI (British Film Institute) National Archive, the world’s most significant collection of film and TV.  The film, which won a Gold Award at the 26th International Visual Communications Association (IVCA) Awards, caught the attention of the BFI’s Senior Curator for Non-Fiction Films, Patrick Russell, who considered it a striking piece of contemporary cinematography and so decided to accept it into the archive.

    “We are delighted to see Rolls-Royce’s Wraith launch film enter the BFI’s collection,” Russell said.

    “We selected it for preservation as it is an outstanding and award-winning example of modern corporate promotional filmmaking. It’s a powerful use of the film medium for product launch purposes, executed with impeccable craftsmanship,” he added.

  • Rolls-Royce warns on profit again as economic growth slows

    Rolls-Royce warns on profit again as economic growth slows

    British engineer Rolls-Royce warned on Friday that deteriorating economic conditions meant its profit would not rise next year as previously forecast, sending its shares plunging as much as 16 percent.

    Rolls-Royce said the market for its main aircraft engine business would strengthen but customers in the oil and gas, mining, construction, industrial and agricultural sectors were cancelling or delaying orders.

    “The economic environment has deteriorated, and it has deteriorated quite quickly,” Chief Executive John Rishton said.

    Wherever you look there were signs of economic slowdown such as the fall in oil and iron ore prices, an absence of growth in Europe and a slowdown in China, Rishton said.

    The company, which as recently as July predicted growth in 2015, said underlying profit next year would at best be unchanged from 2014 and 3 percent lower at worst.

    The downgrade was the second this year by the world’s second-largest maker of aircraft engines after U.S. group General Electric. It paves the way for another year of stagnation after more than a decade of strong growth.

    Oil prices have slumped more than a fifth since June, prompting customers in that sector to cancel orders, the company said. Rolls-Royce also blamed tightening sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine crisis for hitting its results.

    The company said while its direct exposure to Russia was limited, clients with projects in Russia, or exposure to Russia, were not buying as many diesel generators, for instance, as Rolls had expected prior to the sanctions.

    One of the businesses dragging on Rolls’ performance — its energy gas turbine and compressor division — is being sold to Siemens. The sale of the business, which accounted for about four per cent of profits last year, is expected to be concluded by the end of the year.

    World stocks hit a nine-month low on Friday as investors worried about a range of issues from the fragile state of the European economy following recent weak German data, the impact the Ebola virus and unrest in the Middle East.

    Rolls-Royce was by far the biggest faller among 300 European blue-chips.

    Its shares slumped as much as 16.3 percent to 787.5 pence, the lowest since Sept. 5, 2012 and the sharpest one-day loss since the last profit warning in February when they plunged 17.8 percent before ending down 13.6 percent.

    “This is the second profit warning within eight months for Rolls. People don’t like that, and they don’t like it especially from a company that has given them the impression that they have highly visible revenues and earnings. There is a big sentiment component to the price movement today,” said Harry Breach, an analyst at Westhouse Securities, which as a “neutral” rating on Rolls-Royce shares.

    Rolls-Royce said in February that government defence budget cuts would mean flat profits for 2014. It said then: “This is a pause, not a change in direction, and growth will resume in 2015.”

    Until this year, the company had enjoyed 11 years of strong profit and revenue growth as soaring demand for fuel-efficient engines for passenger jets made by Airbus and Boeing boosted its civil aerospace unit, which accounted for 43 percent of sales in 2013.

    Rolls-Royce reassured investors that the outlook for its aero engine business remained good, thanks to increasing demand for travel in emerging economies and the need to replace older aircraft with new, fuel efficient models.

    Analysts said a small cut to the production rates of the Airbus A330 plane, also announced on Friday, would only have a marginal impact on the company.

    “The message from management today is that civil aerospace is fine, but what they’re saying today is the profit warning today is really about the other segments,” said Breach.

    Espirito Santo analyst Edward Stacey said the 2015 downgrade amounted to an 8 to 10 percent cut to the market consensus forecast for Rolls-Royce earnings per share (EPS).

    Thomson Reuters StarMine showed analysts have been reviewing their forecasts recently: in the past 30 days, 10 of 25 analysts cut Rolls-Royce EPS forecasts for 2014 by an average 0.5 pct.

    For this year, Rolls said it was on track to post unchanged underlying profit from 2013, excluding adverse foreign exchange impacts and a one-off charge already announced, as cost cutting had helped stave off the impact of delayed or cancelled orders.

    Releasing medium-term guidance three days earlier than scheduled, the company also said on Friday that in the medium term it expected group return on sales of 13.5 per cent to 14.5 per cent, helped by slightly stronger margins of 14.5 percent to 15.5 per cent at its civil aerospace unit.