Rolls-Royce welcomes U.K. trade deal, but India price impact remains uncertain

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is yet to determine how the India–U.K. free trade agreement will affect the prices of its cars in India, with the ultra-luxury carmaker assessing the regulatory and tax implications of the deal with the relevant authorities.

“We are working with the authorities at the moment, and we haven’t yet confirmed what that will be,” Julian Jenkins, Director of Sales and Brand at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said on Thursday (October 15, 2026) at the unveiling of the company’s redesigned showroom in Chennai.

Welcoming the agreement, Mr. Jenkins said it presented opportunities for both the British and Indian automotive industries. However, he drew a distinction between the taxation of a vehicle and its intrinsic value, which he said was based on craftsmanship, authenticity and heritage.

“The value of the Rolls-Royce remains. What changes is the taxation, whatever that might be, will be separately to the value of the Rolls-Royce,” he said.

According to a July 15 government release, the India–UK CETA provides for quota-based, phased liberalisation of automobile imports. For large-engine cars, in-quota tariffs are to fall to 10% over five years, while out-of-quota tariffs are to reduce to 50% over 10 years.

India was Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ highest-growth market in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, according to the company. Mr. Jenkins said the carmaker had recorded four consecutive years of double-digit growth in India and expected the momentum to continue.

“We’re not about volume. Rolls-Royce is not about volume, we’re about value,” he said, adding that the company’s strategy centred on individual commissions rather than maximising sales volumes.

Younger buyers

Mr. Jenkins said the company was seeing a new generation of customers in India alongside its established clientele. Globally, the average age of Rolls-Royce drivers was now in the early 40s, about 13 years lower than in 2010, he said.

The Spectre, the company’s all-electric coupe, and the Black Badge range had contributed to attracting younger customers, Mr. Jenkins said. He added that the Spectre was the company’s second-best-selling model globally in 2024 and 2025.

Demand for bespoke cars

Vasanthi Bhupathi, Dealer Principal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chennai, operated by Kun Exclusive, said customers in southern India were increasingly seeking personalised vehicles rather than standard exterior and interior configurations.

“Everyone’s going all out and bespoking and commissioning the car truly to reflect something about their personality,” she said.

The company says customers can choose from a palette of 44,000 colours, alongside a range of interior trims and finishes. Mr. Jenkins said customer requests were becoming increasingly complex, prompting the company to expand its bespoke capabilities at its Goodwood facility in the United Kingdom.

Rolls-Royce has invested £300 million in the expansion, adding 40,000 square metres to its existing 80,000-square-metre facility, he said. The investment was intended to increase bespoke capacity rather than simply raise production volumes.