Detailed Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce -Complete Case Study

Updated on: Oct 1, 2023
Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce | IIDE

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Rolls Royce is a British luxury automobile manufacturer. The company is known for making the best cars around the world and has a very reputed brand image. It is a subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Holdings plc which is a British multinational aerospace and defence company incorporated in February 2011.

In this blog, we will look at the Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce, its marketing mix, competitor analysis and various campaigns. But, let us first learn about the company in brief.

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About Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce | Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce | IIDE

Rolls Royce was established in 1904 in Manchester, UK and the foundation was built by the partnership of Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, which also led to the brand name Rolls Royce. They are a cohesive team working under one roof with one goal in mind: to achieve the extraordinary while constructing your dream. Each Rolls-Royce is handcrafted by a team of sixty engineers, artisans, colorists, and sculptors. Every model created by these master craftspeople, designers, and technicians is destined to become a global symbol. Luxury can be used as a synonym for the company.

What’s new with Rolls Royce

Check out some current news about Rolls Royce:

  •  The company recently announced that its newly developed gas turbine has successfully powered a hybrid-electric flight.
  • Rolls-Royce has introduced its latest masterpiece, the La Rose Noire Droptail.
  • Rolls-Royce among six firms shortlisted for British small nuclear plants.

Target Audience of Rolls Royce

Affluent people who value exclusivity, grandeur, and superb craftsmanship make up the target audience for Rolls-Royce. High-net-worth individuals from a range of age groups, including accomplished professionals, business owners, and established business leaders, make up this selective group.

Check out the buyer persona for Rolls Royce:

Buyer’s Persona

Name:

Robert

Place:

Mumbai

Age:

45 years

Profession:

Finance Manager

Motivation

  • Seeks the ultimate luxury, status, and exclusivity.
  • Values craftsmanship
  • Value timeless elegance.

Interest & Hobbies

  • Collects fine art.
  • Enjoys fine dining and luxury travel.
  • Occasional golf player.

Pain Points

  • Expect top-notch maintenance and service.
  • Concerned about resale value.
  • Values privacy while driving.

Social Media Presence

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Now that we have a brief overview of the company before moving into the Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce, let us dive into the marketing mix explained with the 4Ps.

Marketing Mix of Rolls Royce

The marketing mix refers to a company’s combination of actions, or techniques, for promoting its brand or product in the marketplace. It includes the product, price, place, and promotional strategies of the company and how it has used them all in its favour.

1. Product Strategy of Rolls Royce

Rolls Royce Phantom | Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce | IIDE

Rolls Royce is a high-end luxury car manufacturer that caters to the world’s most affluent customers. Rolls Royce has various well-known brands such as Phantom, Dawn, Ghost, and Wraith in its marketing mix.  

Customers can order customized cars from Rolls Royce Motors which is unrelated to the Rolls Royce brand, which is owned by another business with the same name. The long front bonnet metallic finish exteriors and tailored interiors distinguish Rolls Royce cars. 

2. Price Strategy of Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce is a well-known brand with unrivaled brand value. It targets the rich and upper class with its premium autos. The company has established a High-Premium pricing strategy for all of its items because they are all in the high-luxury market.

It appeals to affluent people who care about their reputation, name, and status yet are unconcerned about extravagant spending. Being associated with the Rolls-Royce brand is a privilege, and the company capitalizes on this by maintaining its premium cost range.

3. Place Strategy of Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce is a desirable automobile with over 150 production sites and activity in around 50 countries worldwide. The highest sales figures are in the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the Asia-Pacific region.

To ensure that autos reach their customers quickly and without delay, the company leverages the services of its parent company (BMW), which has its own advanced and popular distribution network and includes dealer services.

4. Promotion Strategy of Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce has established itself as a luxury brand with global recognition since its inception. It has succeeded in building in the minds of consumers a strong ideal brand value.

Its marketing techniques include displays at high-profile events, expensive hotels, and exclusive vehicle shows. Rolls Royce caters to an extremely exclusive and niche market, and the company relies heavily on word-of-mouth advertising from happy customers who unknowingly become brand ambassadors and marketing agents for the company.

Now that we have understood the marketing mix of the company. We should next explore the marketing strategy of Roll Royce-

Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce

The STP Strategy

Market Segmentation is the process of dividing a market into discrete groups of buyers with various needs, features, or behaviors that may necessitate separate products or marketing programs.

A single product cannot possibly service all market sectors. After assessing Market Segments, the organization should choose a market segment to focus on. A Targeting Strategy includes a target market: a group of customers with similar wants or characteristics whom the company has chosen to serve.

By establishing and promoting competitive advantages, a company distinguishes itself and positions itself, it is known as Positioning Strategy.

1. Segmentation

Rolls-Royce segments the market based on demographic criteria such as gender, age, income, and ethnicity. Customers are differentiated based on their purchase patterns, such as usage frequency, benefits sought, usage contexts, and brand loyalty.

2. Targeting

Rolls-Royce, a long-standing symbol of status and aristocracy, has been a luxurious favorite of the affluent and famous since it was initially made in England in 1904 via hand assembly. Rolls-Royce is regarded as a luxurious status symbol around the world. 

Rolls-Royce caters to the ultra-rich who have a royal, opulent, and well-known status and who need a luxurious, fast, peaceful, and quick ride, as well as those who desire a personalized car to experience the taste of exclusivity.

3. Positioning

Rolls-Royce automobiles do so to distinguish and position their goods. Rolls-Royce is a symbol of royal, extravagant, and well-known pride. Handcrafted and finished by hand. 

The New Rolls-Royce Ghost provides a more luxurious and quick ride than the competition. The finest woods, wool, and leathers constructed with the pride of English craftsmanship give the car’s cabin a luxury ambiance.

With the digital shift, online presence is a must to grow, with that said let us view the digital presence of Rolls Royce.

Digital Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce

  • The amount spent on digital has increased to become a major component of its marketing spend,  Rolls-Royce remains a client-centric company that thrives on the unique individual connections it has with its clients around the world.
  • Client interaction fueled by digital continues to rise as they keep in touch with their clients and how they share their brand’s stories.
  • Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ digital marketing strategy of record has been THAT Agency, which has provided ongoing services such as search engine optimization, paid search, and online marketing. Rolls Royce Motor Cars’ social media is likewise managed by that firm.
  • In an overview, compared to the industry average of 7-12 percent, the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars social network has a stunning engagement rate of over 17 percent.

Marketing and Advertising Campaigns by Rolls Royce

Marketing campaigns use a variety of media to advertise items, including television, radio, print, and Internet platforms. Businesses and franchises operating in highly competitive markets may launch frequent marketing efforts and commit large resources to increase brand awareness and sales.

Let us look at some of the campaigns as a marketing strategy of Rolls Royce-

1. Rolls-Royce “One of one” by Havas London

It is a film in which, a Siamese fighting fish is compared to a Rolls-Royce Phantom to show how each is an “exquisitely unique creation” with no competitors. The campaign, which is Havas London’s first for the brand, aims to emphasize that Rolls-Royce Phantoms are commissioned on a custom basis and are “one of a kind.” It is one of a series of short films from Sam Pilling who is known for his films of F1 sports cars and BMW. 

2. Rolls-Royce “The Spirit of Ecstasy” by Hingston Studio

House of Rolls Royce | Marketing Strategy of Rolls Royce | IIDE

The House of Rolls-Royce is a new effort launched by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to bring the tales, experiences, and legends associated with the legendary brand to life. Hingston Studio designed and directed the video, which uses a combination of motion capture, 3D scanning, live-action, and animation to produce an engaging 2.5-minute story.

Before we conclude the marketing strategy of Rolls Royce. Let us have a look at the competitor analysis of Rolls Royce.

Competitor Analysis of Rolls Royce

A competitive analysis is an approach for identifying and researching significant competitors’ products, sales, and marketing tactics. Below is the competitor’s analysis of Rolls Royce

Rolls-Royce produces some of the world’s most opulent automobiles. A Rolls-Royce car is not inexpensive. It is known for making hand-crafted autos that promise a flawless “magical carpet journey” for its customers.  

These are the competitors of Rolls Royce

i) Mercedes Benz: Mercedes-Benz, known for its luxury and effectiveness, produces advanced cars with cutting-edge technology and a tradition of innovation, raising the standard for quality in the automotive industry.

ii) BMW: BMW is a representation of excellent engineering and enjoyable driving. Their vehicles offer an unmatched driving experience by combining powerful performance with dynamic design.

iii) Bentley: Bentley is the ultimate example of luxury and artistry. For the most discerning customers, each handcrafted car is a work of British engineering excellence, combining timeless elegance with amazing power.

iv) Aston Martin: The enchantment of James Bond and traditional design have an unbreakable connection to Aston Martin. Their automobiles convey elegance and personality while providing thrilling performance and unmatched style on the road.

v) Ferrari: The epitome of Italian automobile passion is Ferrari. Ferrari is a brand renowned for its famous red automobiles, which merge power, accuracy, and beauty to give drivers an exciting driving experience.

Strategies that faced Backlash From Viewers

Traditionalist Outrage: There have been intense discussions among Rolls-Royce supporters over whether the company’s pursuit of environmental aims challenges its dedication to classic elegance and powerful engines.

Quality Issues: Rolls-Royce’s reputation has been founded on the durability of their traditional engines, thus the push for electric vehicles may cause questions about their reliability and durability.

Price Increases: Rolls-Royce considerably hikes pricing to pay for their sustainable products. Potential customers who identify the brand with exclusivity but find the new price points excessive experience dissatisfaction as a result.

This brings us to the end of the case study on the marketing strategy of Rolls Royce.

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Conclusion

Let us sum up our understanding of the marketing strategy of Rolls Royce. We might conclude from the foregoing that Rolls Royce cars are a mix of science fiction and history: it’s difficult to recall how amazingly futuristic improvements in prior decades were, yet the prospect of future advancements still fascinates.

Did you find the marketing strategy of Rolls Royce interesting? If you want to learn about digital marketing and its long-term scope, do check out our 45-minute Free Digital Marketing Masterclass by Karan Shah, the founder, and the CEO of IIDE.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the marketing strategy of Rolls Royce, share it with your peers, and leave your views on the same in the comments section.

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Aditya Shastri

Lead Trainer & Head of Learning & Development at IIDE

Leads the Learning & Development segment at IIDE. He is a Content Marketing Expert and has trained 6000+ students and working professionals on various topics of Digital Marketing. He has been a guest speaker at prominent colleges in India including IIMs......[Read full bio]

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