Rolls-Royce Hong Kong (RRHK) has sent us an artist's impression (below) of the marque's new showroom in the Hong Kong Club Building in Chater Road. A mere totter from the Jackson Room and the 'Centres of Central', it's a prime pavement with guaranteed well-heeled congestion and is scheduled to open 'possibly' in May, says RRHK chief John Wong.
Although we might know where to look for the new Rolls-Royce Phantom, Maybach is keeping mum about its movements in Hong Kong. That's fine with us: the revived luxury marque's set-up has to be right and these things take time. But we were concerned at the recent link in the Chinese-language press of Maybach with other regional cities. Has Maybach new plans for Hong Kong, where bigger first-registration taxes (FRT) are expected to squeeze our rich?
Mercedes-Benz China spokeswoman Irene Lo put Foot Down right. 'We are very happy to confirm that the intended establishment of a Maybach regional presence here in Hong Kong will go ahead as planned, despite the impact that the increased FRT will have on the retail price of the Maybach 57 and 62 models,' she said. 'Both comprehensive sales and after-sales support will be provided for Hong Kong customers, details of which we will be making available shortly, together with other market introduction measures. Irrespective of the FRT increases, a market exists in Hong Kong for a car of limousine proportions that can meet the specific needs of customers, both for their business and private use.
'We are confident that both the Maybach 57 and 62 [above] will be enthusiastically welcomed in the market later this year, albeit, because of the FRT increases, at a price higher than originally planned. Price details are still under review and will be made public just as soon as we have clarified a number of important issues with both DaimlerChrysler AG and the relevant Hong Kong government departments,' Lo said.
This year's event started in San Francisco on Thursday, stops at Las Vegas, Tucson, San Antonio and New Orleans and ends in South Beach, Miami, on Tuesday. It 'is limited to only 120 cars, from Lamborghinis, Ferraris and McClarens to VW Bugs and antique roadsters', Sullivan, founder and head of Weniwen Technologies, says. 'The participants are all successful or high-profile people from entertainment/film to business to Playboy playmates' and 'travel/race along public roads, from one checkpoint to another until the evening. At each venue, the Gumball organises a large, star-studded party - it is often a formal event.'
This is no ordinary rally, 'but a cheeky, moveable feast that includes many high jinks along the way', Sullivan adds. 'Two years ago, the Gumball rally travelled from London to St Petersburg and back in six days. Last year, the rally went from the Plaza hotel in New York City to the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles. Last year, I drove my Mercedes S500 with Patrick Growney, an up-and-coming young actor who happens to be my cousin, and this year will be driving with two female Olympic snowboarders, two professional motorcyclists and a cameraman/ photographer.'