Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, vendor of the luxury car that retails from upwards of $245,000, has posted record sales in its 107-year history, indicating buoyant global demand for luxury goods.

For 2011 the firm, part of BMW Group, sold 3,538 cars, which represents a 30.5 per cent increase from 2010. The former record of 3,347 cars was set in 1978. Furthermore, despite a low-growth environment in the West growth was registered across all regions, and demand for bespoke content was “at highest-ever levels,” said BMW Group.

The strong sales are likely due to the fact Rolls-Royce ranks in the top-end of the luxury goods market, available to only the ultra-wealthy, whose buying habits are “barely impacted by economic situation, unlike the HNW or mass affluent segments,” said Mykolas Rambus, CEO of the research firm Wealth-X. “Ultra high net worth individuals, those with a net worth of at least $30 million, tend to buy that which will maintain their unique lifestyles.”

Added to this fact is growing demand in emerging markets, including China. These countries are a “massive opportunity for luxury brands to uncover. Such brands have only scratched the surface,” Rambus added.

“China is leading the expansion of UHNW individuals in Asia-Pacific, and Wealth-X estimates UHNW individuals in Asia-Pacific will outnumber Europe by 2024 and 2032. The growth momentum that we’ve seen will continue, and luxury brands, including Rolls-Royce, will benefit.’’

Earlier research by Wealth-X released last November estimated there are 185,795 UHNW individuals globally, with a total net worth of $25 trillion. North America is home to 62,960 of these individuals and nearly 33 per cent of the total $25 trillion in wealth.