Rolls-Royce from luxury motorcars to gas station pumps The first motorcar model signed Rolls Royce appeared in the 19th century. Its success was immediate and the automobiles are as prestigious today even more so because of the age of the company and its history. But the Rolls-Royce Group has now sold its Motor Cars to the German Group, Volkswagen, which has now given back the famous brand to the German company BMW on January 1st, 2003,and is focusing on the aviation, defense, naval and energy sectors. Civil Aerospace develops turboprop aircraft for civil aviation, which increase engine power and speed. Defense Aerospace also designs turboprops and gas turbines for the defense sector ( fighter planes, warships and submarines). Energy makes gas station pumps and electricity generation systems. Marine offers its hydrodynamic know-how to the naval sector and manufactures propulsion systems, amongst other products. Rolls Royce belongs to the very closed group of global leaders in its sector. With its 42, 000 strong workforce, it operates in about 30 countries throughout the world.