Super-rich retain their desire for luxury cars
Hong Kong remains a thriving market for the world's most expensive cars. Enthusiasts are placing orders before the launch of Rolls-Royce's latest model, the Phantom, and the Maybach from DaimlerChrysler.
The Rolls-Royce dealership in Hong Kong has already received 'a few orders' for the Phantom, which is due to arrive in showrooms next month, although it declined to say how many.
The luxury vehicle, manufactured in Goodwood, England, costs $6.6 million, which includes a hefty sales tax of $2 million.
Those who have placed pre-orders forked out a 10 per cent deposit. Some have asked for customised paint jobs and logos with the owner's initials.
John Wong Chung-kin, general manager of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Hong Kong, said the demand met his expectations and that a slowdown in the economy had not greatly affected high-end sales.
'There are a fair number of people who can afford it,' Mr Wong said. 'For the super-rich, it's not a problem because the car may not be that expensive. It's all relative.'
Bank of East Asia chairman David Li Kwok-po and Chinese Estates Holdings Chief Executive Joseph Lau Luen-hung have both expressed interest in a Maybach - a luxury line that recently made a comeback after a 60-year break. DaimlerChrysler, which also manufactures Mercedes-Benz, released it last May.
The larger model, called Maybach 62, stretches 6.17 metres in length and sells for US$360,000 (HK$2.8 million) in the United States. Maybach 57, at 5.73 metres, costs US$50,000 less. The Mercedes-Benz dealership in Hong Kong has yet to nail down a price for the cars. Phantom sells for US$320,000 in the US.
Both Maybach models are due to arrive in Hong Kong in the second half of this year.
Chan Yan-chong, associate professor at the City University of Hong Kong's management sciences department, said: 'People will look at what kind of car you're using and where you live before they actually find out how much you have in the bank. It makes it easier to conduct business.'
