The job of a lifetime is waiting for you at Rolls-Royce. The automaker has just announced that its apprenticeship program is now accepting new candidates.

Open to people aged 16 to 24, the apprenticeships last for up to four years at Rolls-Royce’s Goodwood plant in England. These lucky apprentices will get the chance to work with skilled craftspeople in leather, wood, paint, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, assembly and finesse roles.

The program, which has been running since 2006, has already employed 30 people after the completion of the apprenticeship. In 2011, Rolls-Royce added a business component to the program, so who knows what other fields will open up (up next: social media?).

“We are delighted to announce that Rolls-Royce is seeking candidates for its Apprenticeship Programme. This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the development and training of young people at the very highest levels of UK manufacturing,” said Andrew Ball, Corporate Communications Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

If you’re interested in applying to the program, you can submit you application online at www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/careers.

Rolls-Royce is planning an update for its flagship Phantom range.

Recent spy photos brought the changes to light on the traditional Phantom sedan, but now we can see the modifications will find their way into the entire lineup, including the Coupe and Drophead Coupe convertible, shortly after.

The photos don’t reveal much, other than the fact that Rolls is hiding a new headlight design. Don’t expect major changes either, with the most prestigious of luxury automakers not wanting to make the current rides of its high-profile clientele look dated. In addition to mild exterior changes, we expect an updated interior with an improved navigation system, as well as a slight bump in power and emissions for the engine.

The updated Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe could make its reveal as early as next-month’s Geneva Motor Show, or we may have to wait until the Paris show in the Fall.

GALLERY: Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe Spy Photos

Some people probably rolled their eyes when Rolls-Royce announced the Year of the Dragon Phantom, believing it would just be another poor-selling limited edition vehicle. But never underestimate just how strong the Chinese culture and beliefs are. Or rather, just don’t underestimate the wallets of those strong-believing Chinese.

The $1.2-million custom Rolls-Royce Phantom sold out in just two months. How many did they sell? Well, the luxury British automaker won’t reveal the number.

This clearly gives Rolls-Royce even more confidence in the Chinese market, where the company plans to add another 10 dealerships to its 14 existing ones.

The Rolls-Royce Year of the Dragon edition has “marvelous embroidery work” and a red exterior, which is the color of luck. There are also gold hand-painted dragons on each fender, same as the one that is hand-stitched on the cushions in the rear and in the headrests.

GALLERY: Rolls-Royce Year of the Dragon Phantom

[Source: Bloomberg]

It turns out that owning a Rolls-Royce isn’t rare enough on it’s own for the majority of people buying these ultra-luxury cars.

No, the people willing and able to shell out for the best of the best seem to be afraid the valet will confuse their Ghost with the others outside the country club. According to the company, 56 percent of Rolls-Royce Ghosts and Ghost Extended Wheel Base Models featured a bespoke design in 2011.

The Ghost is actually a late-comer to the bespoke game as far as the Rolls-Royce family is concerned. The company sells a healthy chunk of their cars to the Middle East, where 99 percent of Phantoms sold featured bespoke designs.

“It is always our goal to exceed our clients’ highest expectations and fulfill their innermost desires,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO. “With highly bespoke Phantom and Ghost models, we are able to achieve this. The passion with which our bespoke craftspeople create these beautiful cars is reflected in some truly outstanding examples delivered across the globe last year.”

The company is on an upwardly bespoke trend: demand increased an average of almost 35 percent over the last six years worldwide. North America actually represents the most rapidly increasing demand, increasing 54 percent over that time period, though the Middle East is the highest overall with 99 percent demand for bespoke vehicles.

So what’s all this fuss about? Well, Rolls-Royce makes it their business to bend over backwards to ensure client satisfaction. Your new Rolls can come with paint of your choice, tread plates, champagne sets or even a picnic set for those balmy Sunday afternoons in the park.

GALLERY: 2011 Rolls-Royce Ghost

Rolls-Royce has been quietly planning a faelift for its flagship Phantom model, as our spy photographers found out when they came across a camo-clad version of the luxury behemoth testing in Europe.

At first look it appears to be a “regular” old Rolls. A closer look at the headlights in these spy photos, however, reveals that those aren’t functioning units but covers, hinting at a new design underneath. Exactly what Rolls is planning isn’t known, but you can be sure the changes won’t be dramatic. After all, the British super-lux automaker wouldn’t want to make its old models look dated – something that would certainly upset the brand’s clientele.

Additional upgrades expected in this update include an improved navigation system, with a strong possibility of changes to the engine to deliver a slight increase in power with reduced emissions. Look for a possible debut at the Geneva Motor Show this March.

GALLERY: Rolls-Royce Phantom Spy Photos

Thanks to the Chinese market, Rolls-Royce had a record setting year for sales in 2011 with 3,538 luxury cars delivered to customers. In 2010, Rolls-Royce only managed to sell 2,711 cars, 31-percent less than 2011.

Rolls-Royce’s previous best year was back in 1978 when they said 3,347 cars. The record-setting 3,538 marks the highest sales in a single year in Rolls-Royce’s stories 107-year history. Strong sales growth occurred worldwide, but the Asian Pacific region was the most significant with a 47-percent increase. North America was up 17-percent while the Middle East experienced a 23-percent growth compared to 2010. At home, the United Kingdom reported a 30-percent growth in the year.

The luxury automaker also enjoyed growth in their Bespoke personalization program with nearly every Phantom model leaving their factory with some element of personalization done to it. Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke personalization program allows the buyer to choose from unique paint colors, interior details and embroidery or even whole vehicle designs with champagne sets and humidors.

Back in 1907, Rolls-Royce presented the Silver Ghost as the “Best car in the world.” Unfortunately, more than a century later, the Rolls Royce Ghost models manufactured between September 2009 to September 2010 are now facing a recall pertaining to an electric auxiliary water pump that can overheat and potentially cause a fire.

It would seem that even “the best” can still be imperfect. Earlier, there have been reports regarding how BMW‘s 5-series, 7-series, X5 and X6 models are at risk of engine fires as well. Since the Rolls Royce power plant is a turbocharged application of BMW’s V12, it must be placed under investigation too.

Only 589 affected Rolls-Royce models have been produced during this period. Rolls-Royce will begin making necessary repairs on these models free of charge beginning later this month.

Rolls-Royce‘s Spirit of Ecstasy is the inspiration behind renowned photographer Rankin’s newest exhibit, which is being showcased at the Rankin Gallery in Los Angeles.

On display from November 16 to the 23, the collection is the result of a collaboration between Rolls-Royce and Rankin. The photographs took inspiration from the Spirit of Ecstasy, the famous figure that graces the hood of every Rolls-Royce vehicle. Rankin’s results are very personal and he gives the legendary flying lady a modern and graceful interpretation.

Rankin’s collection incorporates power, the beauty of age, intrigue, mystery, speed and whirlwind, and he blends these themes with various materials, fabrics and paint to create the unique portraits. The models found in the photos were picked for their symbolic representation of femininity, and they range in age and cultural background.

The exhibition at the Rankin Gallery will feature 80 of the full set of 100 portraits. If you can’t make it to the gallery, you can see a selection of these photos at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars stand at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 18 to the 27.

He’s only been in the job since March, but Rolls-Royce Chief-Executive Officer Torsten Muller-Oetvoes says that so far, the ultra luxury marque has weathered the current economic storm rather well.

In 2011, Rolls is projected to beat the record 2,711 cars, sold last year, with China poised to overtake the US as the largest single market.

In addition, during a recent interview with Automotive News, Muller-Oetvoes said that Rolls-Royce is planning to expand its factory at Goodwood, Sussex, in the UK, as well as possibly boosting the number of dealers world wide, from the current 85, to around 100. In addition, he spoke about possibly adding a Ghost coupe to compliment the sedan.

Since being launched, the Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan has attracted a new type of customer to the brand which tends to be younger and more in-tune with today’s technology. That said, Muller-Oetvoes believes that the key to success in the future is will be down to a steady growth strategy, though not necessarily a significant increase in volume.

“Like no other brand, Rolls-Royce stands for exclusivity, quality and individual style,” he said. ” We will continue to grow steadily, but ours is not a volume strategy. For example, we have no long-term plans for sales in five figures.”

Muller-Oetvoes also believes that former stablemate Bentley (now owned by rival VW) isn’t really a competitor for Rolls, though the Mulsanne might come close as a Ghost rival. He said “they [Bentley buyers] purchase models of both brands, their garages are like closets, equipped for all of life’s occassions. Rolls-Royce competes with other luxury goods such as real estate, yachts, fine art and jewelry.” So no SUV is likely for Rolls then, which is probably a good thing.

Muller-Oetoves also says that V12 engines will remain very much in Rolls’ future, despite current fads towards smaller engines, diesels and alternative fuel powertrains, though company is exploring other options.  ”Our engines are highly efficient and our 102EX electric Phantom project is the first step in exploring the potential for alternative powertrains in the long-term,” he stated. In reference to diesels, he stated that while they might be popular in Europe, “a diesel could never deliver a true Rolls-Royce experience: effortless performance and, of course, silence.”

As for the possibility of introducing electric, hybrid or other such powertrains down the road, it will essentially hinge on buyer interest in such technologies, which among Rolls-Royce owners is currently, almost non-existent.  ”Few clients who have driven 102EX are prepared to charge a battery for eight hours for a range of just 200km,” he stated.

[Source: Automotive News]

Bijan Pakzad is well known for his exclusive boutique on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, but to automotive enthusiasts, we know him as the designer of a custom yellow Bugatti Veyron which is often seen in front of his store – the same one was that sadly vandalized after his untimely death.

Deep down though, Bijan always had a passion for Rolls-Royces, having agreed to a partnership with the famed luxury car manufacturer to design and release a limited series of unique Rolls-Royce Phantoms. Unfortunately Bijan didn’t live to see his vision of a Rolls-Royce, but the unveiling of the Bijan Edition Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe would make him proud.

The Drophead Coupe clearly incorporates Bijan’s passion for all-things yellow, and the special edition vehicle is estimated to be valued at $1.6 million. Bijan executives hope to make a dozen of these creations which also feature a Bijan watch surrounded by white diamonds embedded in the dash, and a set of crystal glasses in a picnic set found in the trunk.

[Source: Dirk A Photography]

GALLERY: Bijan Edition Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe