Rolls-Royce today refers to two distinct entities with different ownership:
- Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the luxury automobile manufacturer, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group. BMW acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce brand name, logo, and the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot in 1998 for £40 million, and since 2003, Rolls-Royce cars have been produced under BMW's ownership. The company's headquarters are in Goodwood, West Sussex, England.
- Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is the aerospace and defense company that designs and manufactures engines for commercial aviation, military aircraft, and marine applications. It is a publicly traded company listed on the London Stock Exchange and owned by a diverse group of shareholders, including institutional investors. It separated from the automotive division in 1973 after nationalization and later privatization in 1987.
In summary, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is owned by BMW, while Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is an independent publicly traded aerospace company. This division reflects the complex history of the Rolls-Royce brand.
