Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automotive News Europe
  • Automotive News China
  • Automobilwoche
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • login
  • HOME
  • News
    • News by Brand
    • Auto Shows
    • Canadians Abroad
    • Photo Galleries
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • Retail
    • Dealer Best Practices
    • Government Relations
    • Trade and Tariffs
    • Technology
    • Labour
    • Aston Martin
    • BMW
      • Mini
      • Rolls Royce
    • Daimler
      • Mercedes Benz
      • Smart
    • Ferrari
    • Ford
      • Lincoln
    • General Motors
      • Buick
      • Cadillac
      • Chevrolet
      • GMC
    • Honda
      • Acura
    • Hyundai
      • Kia
    • Mazda
    • Mitsubishi
    • Nissan
      • Infiniti
    • Stellantis
      • Alfa Romeo
      • Chrysler
      • Dodge
      • Fiat Chrysler
      • Jeep
      • Fiat
      • Lancia
      • Maserati
      • Ram
    • Subaru
    • Tata
      • Jaguar
      • Land Rover
    • Tesla
    • Toyota
      • Lexus
    • Volkswagen
      • Audi
      • Bentley
      • Bugatti
      • Lamborghini
      • Porsche
    • Volvo
    • VinFast
    • Toronto Auto Show
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
  • Video
  • Podcasts
  • EVENTS & AWARDS
    • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
    • 2021 Canadians To Watch
    • Best Dealerships To Work For
    • Canada Congress
    • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
    • Leading Women Roundtables
    • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
  • Jobs & Classifieds
  • +MORE
    • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
    • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
    • WEBINARS
    • ADVERTISE WITH US
    • CONTACT US
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • PUBLISHING PARTNERS
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Executives
March 17, 2021 12:00 PM

Rolls-Royce names Matthew Wilson its Canada GM as it eyes record sales

Wilson, a 43-year-old native of Ottawa, was previously national manager of product planning for BMW Group Canada

Stephanie Wallcraft
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    Rolls Royce Ghost and Canada GM Matthew Wilson
    Rolls-Royce

    Matthew Wilson arrives just about the same time the Rolls-Royce Ghost will go on sale.

    CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated that Rolls-Royce Calgary is open. The dealer is currently accepting orders; the physical location will open in early May.

    Canadian auto industry veteran Matthew Wilson has been appointed to the new position of general manager for Canada for the Rolls-Royce brand effective Feb. 1.

    Wilson, a 43-year-old native of Ottawa, was previously national manager of product planning for BMW Group Canada for more than eight years.

    His appointment comes amid Canada’s ranking as one of the top three fastest growing regions globally for the U.K.-based luxury automaker, according to Martin Fritsches, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas.

    Four points of sale are currently operating across the country: in Toronto under luxury dealership group Grand Touring Automobiles; in Montreal with Quebec-based Holand Automotive Group; in Vancouver with OpenRoad Auto Group, which has dealerships in Greater Vancouver, Greater Toronto, and the U.S. Pacific Northwest; and a fourth location in Calgary that will also be operated by Grand Touring Automobiles, which is currently taking orders and will open its physical location in early May, according to Gerry Spahn, spokesman for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Americas.

    Spahn said the automaker expects 2021 will be a record sales year for Canada as the new Ghost sedan, equipped with standard all-wheel drive, is added to its line-up alongside the Cullinan SUV.

    The automaker sold 160 units last year, down from 228 in 2019, according to the Automotive News Research and Data Center in Detroit. The decrease was due to reduced output capacity at the brand’s production facility in Goodwood, U.K., as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the automaker said.

    “Goodwood is now up and running,” Spahn said at a media launch event for the redesigned Rolls-Royce Ghost held in Toronto in February. “We have orders going forward for months.”

    Spahn added that deliveries are currently taking between three and six months from ordering for most vehicles.

    Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce owners appear to be using their vehicles more during the pandemic than they were prior to the crisis, said Spahn.

    “At the service level, we’re seeing that people are using their cars,” he said. “They’re putting more miles on their Rolls-Royce than they have in the past.”

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Canadian auto executives say diversity needs to be celebrated year round
    Recommended for You
    Pride Flag
    Canadian auto executives say diversity needs to be celebrated year round
    mirai-front34-v6-hr-5000px-2.jpg
    Toyota pushes back against criticism about pace of electric vehicle transition
    BobCarter-MAIN_i.jpg
    Toyota's Bob Carter to retire as N.A. sales boss; Jack Hollis to succeed him
    Left to right: Farid Ahmad, John Chisholm 7
    Sponsored Content: Expert insights: The keys to successful dealership succession planning
    Digital Edition
    June 2022 Cover
    View latest issue
    See our archive
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up today for our Weekly Newsletter, Daily Newsletter and Breaking News Alerts. We'll deliver the news you need to know straight to your inbox.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Subscribe Now

    An Automotive News Canada subscription includes 12 monthly issues – delivered in print to your doorstep, and digitally to your inbox – plus unlimited, 24/7 access to our website.

    Subscribe Now
    Connect With Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Our Mission

    The Automotive News Canada mission is to be the primary source of industry news, data and understanding for the industry's decision-makers interested in Canada.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Ave
    Detroit MI 48207

    1-877-812-1257

    Email Us

    ISSN 2475-5001 (print)
    ISSN 2475-501X (online)

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Digital Edition Archive
    • Advertise with Us
    • Reprints
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Canada
    Copyright © 1996-2022. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
    • News
      • News by Brand
        • Aston Martin
        • BMW
          • Mini
          • Rolls Royce
        • Daimler
          • Mercedes Benz
          • Smart
        • Ferrari
        • Ford
          • Lincoln
        • General Motors
          • Buick
          • Cadillac
          • Chevrolet
          • GMC
        • Honda
          • Acura
        • Hyundai
          • Kia
        • Mazda
        • Mitsubishi
        • Nissan
          • Infiniti
        • Stellantis
          • Alfa Romeo
          • Chrysler
          • Dodge
          • Fiat Chrysler
          • Jeep
          • Fiat
          • Lancia
          • Maserati
          • Ram
        • Subaru
        • Tata
          • Jaguar
          • Land Rover
        • Tesla
        • Toyota
          • Lexus
        • Volkswagen
          • Audi
          • Bentley
          • Bugatti
          • Lamborghini
          • Porsche
        • Volvo
        • VinFast
      • Auto Shows
        • Toronto Auto Show
      • Canadians Abroad
      • Photo Galleries
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • Retail
      • Dealer Best Practices
      • Government Relations
      • Trade and Tariffs
      • Technology
      • Labour
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
    • Video
    • Podcasts
    • EVENTS & AWARDS
      • 2021 Auto News Canada All Stars
      • 2021 Canadians To Watch
      • Best Dealerships To Work For
      • Canada Congress
      • Retail Forum: Dealer Discussions
      • Leading Women Roundtables
      • Embracing Diversity Roundtable
    • Jobs & Classifieds
    • +MORE
      • IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT
      • NEWSLETTERS
      • SUBSCRIBE
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
      • COMPANIES ON THE MOVE
      • WEBINARS
      • ADVERTISE WITH US
      • CONTACT US
      • DIGITAL EDITION
      • PUBLISHING PARTNERS