In a bold move, Rolls-Royce has drawn a line in the sand, refusing to tolerate buyers who purchase their cars solely for profit, also known as car flippers. In recent years, it has become a trend for wealthy individuals to acquire limited-edition luxury vehicles and promptly resell them at a substantial markup. However, Rolls-Royce is taking a firm stance, and reports suggest that anyone attempting to flip their Rolls-Royce Spectre EV for profit will be permanently blacklisted.
Blacklisted for Life
Rolls-Royce CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, made it clear that there would be no second chances for those seeking to profit from their purchase. In an interview with Car Dealer magazine, Müller-Ötvös affirmed, “They’re going immediately on a blacklist, and this is it—you will never ever have the chance to acquire again.” Rolls-Royce joins the ranks of other prestigious brands that have expressed frustration with car flippers. In 2017, Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger voiced his displeasure with customers who viewed their cars as mere investments rather than vehicles meant to be enjoyed on the road.
Taking a Stand Against Car Flippers
Rolls-Royce’s stance echoes recent actions taken by other manufacturers. General Motors (GM), for instance, announced penalties for customers flipping the coveted Corvette Z06, including the removal of certain warranties if the car is sold within a year. Furthermore, those who flip their Z06s will be disqualified from securing allocations for any future GM vehicles. While these measures aim to deter car flipping, they have raised concerns among high-end car dealers who rely on buying and selling rare, high-value vehicles for profit.
Not everyone is thrilled with Rolls-Royce’s new policy. Prominent UK supercar dealer Tom Hartley voiced his opposition, particularly regarding the impact on customers who have invested significant sums of money in their cars. Hartley expressed his displeasure to Car Dealer, stating, “I have already agreed to buy two Spectres from customers. I do not think it is fair for car makers to tell customers who have spent close to half a million pounds on a car what they can do with it.”
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