2017 bespoke Rolls-Royce models include the Spirit of Calligraphy Ghost

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has shared the finest examples of bespoke design and craftsmanship to be completed by the luxury house over the past 12 months. The Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bespoke department is a collective of designers, engineers and craftspeople who bring patrons’ most ambitious and personal visions to reality. Today, almost every motor car made by Rolls-Royce is bespoke.

According to the company, 2017 was the year that Rolls-Royce elevated its Bespoke initiative to unprecedented new levels, resulting in one of the most significant years for the Bespoke department in the 114-year history of the brand.

Spirit of Calligraphy Ghost

A special one-off commission unveiled in Dubai, UAE in 2017, the Bespoke Spirit of Calligraphy Ghost draws its design inspiration from the art of Arabic calligraphy. Conceptualised by brand experts at AGMC, the sole dealers of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, the Spirit of Calligraphy is an extended wheel base Rolls-Royce Ghost that combines the words of the luxury brand’s founder with the region’s Arabian heritage.

Handpainted on the fascia of this masterpiece is a calligram created by Arabic calligrapher Khalid Al Saaei, where Sir Henry Royce’s iconic words “Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it” has been translated into Arabic and then written as the shape of the Rolls-Royce’s famous flying mascot, the Spirit of Ecstasy.

The features a Sapphire Black exterior with an Arctic White coachline and 21” painted wheels with matching wheel centres and Arctic White pinstripes. The bespoke interior features Al Saaei’s Spirit of Ecstasy calligraphy motif as both a silver inlay on the centre panel and as embroidery on the rear centre seat, amidst an eye-catching array of turchese, Black and Arctic White leathers, finished with Black lambswool carpets.

At the time of the announcement in November 2017, timed to coincide with the Dubai International Motor Show, Mamdouh Khairallah, GM, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars AGMC, said, “Khaled Al Saaei’s artwork captures the words that have formed Rolls-Royce’s ethos for decades and contours them into the brand’s inspirational muse. Only with Rolls-Royce can you take a unique piece of art that encapsulates culture and tradition, and present it in a luxury automobile as unique and special as the piece of art itself.”

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Detail of calligraphy motif, Spirit of Calligraphy Ghost.

Sweptail

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Sweptail.

Rolls-Royce Sweptail premiered in 2017, draws on the lineage of 1920s and 1930s Rolls-Royce motor cars. The client’s vision was for a coach-built two seater coupé featuring a large panoramic glass roof.

The grille, milled from solid aluminium, presents a distinct formality. The side profile of Sweptail defines its stately character, whilst the rear taper of the motor car pays homage to the world of racing yachts. The rear culminates in the registration number 08, milled from ingots of aluminium and hand-polished to a mirror finish.

Phantom and The Gallery

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Thorsten Franck Bespoke Phantom Gallery.

This new Rolls-Royce Phantom has at the heart of its design aesthetic The Gallery, a contemporary and luxury reinterpretation of a motor car’s dashboard and instrument panel.

An application of glass runs uninterrupted across the fascia, providing an unprecedented opportunity to present artwork within a car.

Dawn and Wraith at Porto Cervo

Two motor cars were created in honour of the 2017 Rolls-Royce Summer Studio, Porto Cervo, Sardinia in Italy. A bespoke Dawn drophead coupé and a Wraith Black Badge were commissioned to encapsulate the essence of the island.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Porto Cervo motif in sapphires and mother of pearl, in the Dawn.

Dawn adopted a nautical theme, evoking emotions of a Mediterranean sojourn. The Porto Cervo motif, encrusted with genuine sapphires and mother of pearl, is embedded into the front fascia of the motor car. Navy blue and arctic white hues complement an expanse of teak, including the decking and floor.

The Porto Cervo Wraith emulates Sardinia’s night time ambience. A two-tone Diamond Black exterior is contrasted with gloss and matte paint applications, while black woven leather door panniers infer Wraith Black Badge’s dark and complex character.

Ghost Elegance

Commissioned for an individual collector, the Ghost Elegance is the first motor car to be finished in a paint infused with diamonds. Named Diamond Stardust, the unique paint incorporates 1,000 diamonds crushed to form a very fine powder, giving the finished panels unmatched lustre and sparkle.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Ghost Elegance.

The flanks of the car are highlighted with Mugello Red and Black twin coachlines, reflected inside with black leather seats and accents in Mugello Red, carried through stitching on the doors and piping on the seats. The detailed fascia of smooth open-pore Tudor Oak veneer is also complemented with a Mugello Red single stitch along the top of the dashboard, and finished with a Bespoke clock.

Source: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Dawn in Fuxia.

Dawn in Fuxia
In 2017, US collector Michael Fux was presented with his 10th Bespoke model from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Following a visit to Pebble Beach, US in 2016, where he collected a cluster of fuchsia petals, he challenged the Bespoke team at Goodwood - the home of Rolls-Royce - with a commission to bring a new colour to Dawn.

Dawn in Fuxia represents a unique hue to the Rolls-Royce Colour Collection, and is reserved exclusively for Fux. His most recent commission is his second Dawn, having collected the first – in one-off Fux Blue – in 2016. Reminiscent of that car, the interior of Dawn in Fuxia is trimmed in Arctic White leather.

Dawn B50 for Hotel Byblos

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Hotel Byblos in Saint-Tropez, France in 2017, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars revealed the Dawn B50, a Bespoke car inspired by the warmth and vibrancy of the Côte d'Azur.

Commissioned by the Hotel Byblos as the automotive Jewel of Saint-Tropez, the Dawn B50 has two dominant exterior colours. The combination was developed exclusively to celebrate the hotel’s anniversary, along with bespoke door treadplates and a unique hand-painted coachline on each side bearing the B50 logo. The sophisticated interior takes inspiration from the Mediterranean sun, with tangerine tones that accentuate the dashboard and echo the stitching across the seat upholstery and floor mats.

A special Silver Dawn

Prominently displayed at the Home of Rolls-Royce is a very rare 1952 Silver Dawn. It was sold new to a customer in Canada, and in 2017 a commission for a new Dawn from the same country led to a homage to this particular car in its 65th anniversary year.

Finished in two-tone Midnight Sapphire and Jubilee Silver, the new Dawn closely emulates the original finishes of the 1952 motor car, with a Bespoke painted coachline, broken for the first time on a Rolls-Royce. Inside, Selby Grey and Navy leather are combined with Crossbanded Walnut Burr veneer, closely matched to the original. The finishing touches include a Bespoke clock with 1952 lettering and a Spirit of Ecstasy veneer inlay.

Inspiration from South Korea

The Bespoke Collection for Korea embraces the aesthetic heritage of South Korea with contemporary flair. The Ghost Seoul Edition reflects colours that grace the country’s Taegukgi national flag, finished in bright Andalusian White with a twin coachline in Cobalto Blue and Mugello Red – along with a handpainted Bespoke motif that captures the silhouette of the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower. Inside, the black leather upholstery is complemented by contrasting bands in Arctic White, as well as blue and red highlights for stitching and piping.

The Wraith Busan Edition is inspired by the hues of the coastal city of the same name, with a two-tone exterior in Royal Blue and Jubilee Silver that conjures up the shimmering sea. The rear pillar motif echoes the delicate latticework of traditional Korean hanok screen doors, and is also carried inside the car across the dashboard. Emulating the dusk sky across nearby mountains, a single coachline in Blushing Pink draws attention to the shoulder line. The colour is also applied to the seat stitching, instrument panel and RR headrest monograms inside, as a flourish to the Selby Grey and Cobalto Blue upholstery.

Bank Sohar introduces the Al Mumayaz Auto Loan Ramadan Promotion

As part of its Ramadhan initiatives and in line with its customer-focused strategy, Bank Sohar has introduced this year’s Al Mumayaz Auto Loan Ramadan Promotion.

Loans can be granted against post-dated cheques and financing provided for up to 80% of the vehicle’s value. Loan approvals are finalised within an hour’s time, and interest rates start from 4.5% per annum. A grace period for the commencement of loan repayment can be extended up to Eid Al Adha. The Ramadhan promotion also offers customers attractive rates on motor insurance as well as a credit card, free of charges for the first year, to eligible car owners.

Customers applying for an auto loan through Bank Sohar will also be entitled for a Bank Sohar Excel Visa credit card with the first year free of charge. The type of card - Platinum, Gold or Classic - will be based on salary eligibility and will come with all of the benefits associated with any Excel credit card.

Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, Senior AGM and Acting Head of Retail Banking, Bank Sohar said, “Stemming from our strong belief that customers are the primary pillars of any organisation, we continue to evolve and introduce services that can cater to their requirements. As with every year in the holy month, we have come to expect offers from all the various sectors within the industry and more so on the auto front.

"In order to allow our current and potential customers to utilise on such limited time offers, we continue to introduce innovative and packaged deals, which also allow us to stay in line with the competition and continue our path to banking excellence. With customer convenience as one of the top priorities, we have also set an evening counter to cater to clients from 8pm to 11pm at our Qurum branch.”


Interested?

The Al Mumayaz Auto Loan Ramadan Promotion will be available throughout Ramadhan and will conclude on July 31. It is open to both Omani and expatriate customers interested in purchasing new or used vehicles. Financing is available for a maximum tenure of seven years for new vehicles and five years for used vehicles.

Alizz Islamic Bank launches 2017 Ramadhan auto finance scheme

Source: Alizz Islamic Bank. Poster for
the Ramadhan auto finance scheme.

With the aim to help fulfill the dreams of the bank's customers to own a car during Ramadhan, Alizz Islamic Bank has announced the launch of its 2017 Ramadhan auto finance scheme, Sharing the Blessings of Ramadan.

The auto finance scheme features competitive profit rates and deferred payment of installments for two months after the purchase of the car. The shari'ah-compliant finance scheme is available for purchasing both new and used cars.

The scheme is based on the shari'ah principle of murabahah and offers an easy settlement period of up to 84 months and the availability of auto finance for both employees and business owners. In addition to this, financing is open to both Omanis and resident expatriates with up to 80% of the value of the car being financed.


Moosa Al Jadidi, COO, Alizz Islamic bank said, "We are proud to have an integrated and efficient team that has developed an efficient auto finance scheme where customers only need to visit the nearest branch to complete the procedures. Our products and services are not based on competition, but on being exclusive when compared to products from other banks. Our top priority is to make the dream of owning a car for our customer come true through a smooth and hassle-free process.

"Alizz Islamic bank is the only bank that offers 35 sharia'ah compliant products that meet the needs of individuals and companies. They are designed to meet requirements of the different segments of society. In addition, we launch outstanding products that add value to customers' lives and enhances their confidence moving forward. All customers can benefit from the products and services provided by Alizz Islamic bank during Ramadhan and throughout the year."

Interested?

Eligible individuals include public sector employees who earn a minimum salary of OMR300 and private sector employees who have a minimum salary of OMR350. Customers can apply for the finance scheme car by providing a quotation from the retailer on the chosen car. The application is addressed to Alizz Islamic Bank and the customer pledges to purchase the car from the bank after the due process is completed. Consequently, the bank buys the car from the retailer and takes possession, and later resells the car to the customer via 'murabahah' once the payment of installments is completed.

The bank has also dedicated its Wattayah branch as an Auto Finance hub during Ramadhan. The branch will be open from 9am to 1pm and from 8pm to 11pm.

Meethaq launches Ramadhan vehicle finance offer

Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has launched a vehicle finance promotion coinciding with Ramadhan. The Meethaq Ramadhan auto finance campaign is available at a 5% annual profit rate inclusive of life takaful during the full finance period. The limited period offer is valid till 31 July 2016.

The shari’ah-compliant Meethaq auto finance programme is based on the concept of murabahah, under which the cost of the vehicle and the profit is disclosed to the buyer. Meethaq purchases the vehicle on customer request, and sells it to them at a cost plus agreed profit.

The exclusive benefits of Meethaq auto finance include financing of up to 80% of the value of the vehicle, repayment tenure up to eight years and free life takaful coverage during the finance period. Financing is also available for purchasing used vehicles.

The bank does not charge any processing fee and offers competitive pricing. With minimal documentation and fast processing, Meethaq car finance is available for citizens and residents at all Meethaq branches.

Eleven Meethaq branches will be open with extended working hours, from 8.30pm to 11.30pm, during Ramadhan: Wattayah, Al Khoud, Barka, Saham, Sohar, Sur, Salalah, Buraimi, Ibri, Ibra and Nizwa.

Meethaq offers a full suite of Islamic banking products and services, including savings account, current account, home finance, auto finance, credit card, mobile banking and Internet banking. Meethaq has 18 branches across the Sultanate of Oman and plans to expand the network as well as launch new products and services to complement the Islamic banking experience.

Medgulf Takaful allies with Copart Bahrain to reach wider audience

Medgulf Takaful, an insurance company in Bahrain, has signed an agreement with Copart Bahrain to streamline salvage sales processing.

Copart is a global online auto auction company, specialising in salvage disposal for insurance and takaful companies by using its VB3 auction technology, which brings together potential buyers from across the globe, therefore exposing a seller's assets to a wider audience and improving transparency and competition for the vehicles.

Nader Saeed Al Mandeel, CEO of Medgulf Takaful commented, "Using Copart's vast experience, technology and operations knowledge, we aim to improve the process and achieve higher returns and improvements to our motor portfolio."

Carlos Sabugueiro, CEO of Copart in the Middle East and Africa added, "It is an honour to be adding Medgulf Takaful to our panel of vehicle suppliers here in Bahrain. Our auctions every Sunday are growing in strength and scale. This helps all our suppliers of vehicles as the buyer network continues to increase daily, with regular bidders being seen from all over the GCC."

Takaful Oman first to distribute motor takaful with an Islamic bank

Source: alizz islamic bank. Salaam Al Shaksy, Chief Executive Officer of alizz islamic bank, and Sayyidah Rawan Al Said, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of Takaful Oman signed the MoU at a ceremony held in alizz islamic bank’s Head Office in Muscat, Oman. 

Alizz islamic bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Takaful Oman, the Sultanate's first full-fledged Islamic insurance provider, to provide its customers with motor takaful policies at special rates. Takaful Oman will also issue motor takaful policies from alizz islamic bank’s branches.


Salaam Al Shaksy noted, “Both alizz islamic bank and Takaful Oman are fairly young financial institutions offering shari'ah-compliant products to a growing base of customers in Oman. Our agreement with Takaful Oman marks the beginning of what we hope is a strong and successful business relationship that will provide our valued patrons with an unrivalled customer experience.”

Sayyidah Rawan Al Said commented, "We are delighted and excited about our new strategic partnership with alizz islamic bank and be the first takaful company in the Sultanate to distribute motor takaful through an Islamic bank. The partnership with alizz islamic bank is mutually beneficial for both as we are able to offer motor takaful to a wider audience through the bank’s distribution network and alizz customers get value added service in the form of having their vehicles insured through shari'ah-compliant means in the bank itself .’’

BIBD At-Tamwil turns to FICO technology to manage loan portfolio risk

FICO, a predictive analytics and decision management software company, has announced that BIBD At-Tamwil, a subsidiary of Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), the largest Islamic bank in Brunei, has seen increases of 20% percent or more in auto loan bookings since it implemented a mobile decision management application developed using FICO technology.
FICO predictive analytics and the FICO Blaze Advisor decision rules system have enabled BIBD At-Tamwil to manage its loan portfolio risk, satisfy regulatory requirements and take full advantage of information from a newly formed credit bureau, which became available in late 2012. 

Source: FICO

The company’s ability to provide on-the-spot decisions for loans has been the driving factor in boosting business. Its marketing agents at car dealers now use iPads to process credit applications at the car lot, entering the customer’s financial information into the mobile app, along with photographs of important documents such as identity cards and payslips. 

This information, along with credit bureau data, is then analysed using predictive analytics and business rules within FICO Blaze Advisor decision rules system to provide a loan approval decision. This customer-centric approach has streamlined the experience, increasing buyer satisfaction and therefore sales.

“We felt customers were waiting too long for loan approvals using our old system,” said Irwan Lamit, MD of BIBD At-Tamwil, which helps more than 14,000 Brunei consumers every year to finance new and used cars or motorbikes. “With this new approach, we’ve cut the process from a potential 24 hours down to mere minutes while still effectively managing risks. This is a win-win solution that has grown our client base and sales.”

BIBD At-Tamwil made this technology investment as part of its strategy to double its revenue every five years in a highly competitive and saturated marketplace.

“Finding growth meant targeting new customers while managing our risk,” said Irwan. “We decided to include non-salary assigned customers, people whose principal bank account is not with our parent bank. To do this, while increasing loan turnaround time, meant quality risk management was an essential ingredient to the solution.

Dinesh Pereira, who manages FICO’s business in Brunei, added that the innovative solution developed for BIBD At-Tamwil is a great example of the use of customer-focused technology in the financial services industry to drive profits.

“BIBD At-Tamwil is using technology to make life easier for clients looking to buy automobiles. Their work demonstrates what is possible when the power of analytics and mobile are brought together to improve the customer experience.”