The Phantom menace for Mercedes

AUSTRALIAN Rolls-Royce Motor Car distributor Trivett Classic has announced that half of its first-year allocation of new BMW-built Phantoms - believed to be six in total - has been sold.

“The first Phantom will be delivered in September and further deliveries will be made each month thereafter until early 2004,” said Trivett Classic Rolls-Royce general manager Andrew Jackson.

First local owners of the almost $1 million car are based in Perth, Brisbane and Auckland, while Trivett's Phantom demonstrator will complete its Australian tour before returning later this year to drum up business in Sydney, where a purpose built Rolls-Royce retail facility is being readied.

Meantime, Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed it has sold one short-wheelbase Maybach 57 to a Sydney customer, with the first delivery due to take place in December or January.

“We have had the opportunity to show the car around Australia and reactions have been extraordinarily positive. Our demonstration car is only now returning to Sydney and a number of people have requested test drives of the all-new Rolls-Royce Phantom,” Mr Jackson said.