新奇事件簿 劳斯莱斯销售创纪录

The luxury automobile¹ maker² Rolls-Royce has reported record sales for 2013. The company said it's the fourth consecutive³ annual sales record. It sold 3,630 cars last year, with a strong surge in demand in the Middle East and China accounting⁴ for a good portion of the buoyant sales. The Middle East saw a sales increase of 17 per cent last year, while sales in China went up by 11 per cent. Rolls-Royce sold cars in more than 40 countries last year, including new markets. Plans are in place to continue this global expansion. Thecompany CEO said: "We have reported a strong year and have maintained our position at the pinnacle⁵ of the super-luxury market." Super-luxury means cars costing over $272,000.

奢侈品牌轿车制造商劳斯莱斯报告称2013年的销售记录创历史新高。该公司称这也是连续第四年年收入再创新纪录。去年劳斯莱斯销售了3630辆轿车，中东和中国的需求猛增，这些地区也占据了相当可观的销售份额。去年，中东的销售百分比增加了17%，中国增加了11%。去年，劳斯莱斯在全球40多个国家销售汽车，包括新开辟的市场。并计划再次扩张全球市场。公司执行董事长称：“我们今年的趋势非常好，并保持了我们在无限奢华市场中的头名位置。”无限奢华的意思是价格超过27.2万美金的轿车。

The CEO said people buy a Rolls Royce because they want to have a brand that is unrivalled in its image ofluxury. He said: "It's the ultimate treat; the reward for hard work. We see that clearly from our customers. Around 80 per cent of our cars are bought by businessmen and women, most of whom have started and run their own businesses. The rest are bought by sports stars and film stars." He added that it's not just the super-rich who were snapping up the cars. He said: "What's interesting now is that we are seeing a new group of individuals who have built up mid-sized businesses and they also want to treat themselves to the magic carpet ride." Businesswomen now account for ten per cent of sales.

执行董事长称人们购买劳斯莱斯的意图是想展现自己不可比拟的奢华形象。他说：“这是一种终极体验；这是对于努力工作的褒奖。这些我们都能够在客户面前看到。我们有大约80%的轿车都是售卖给了女性和商人，绝大多数人拥有自己的买卖。其余的购买者是体育和演艺明星。他补充道抢购轿车的并不只是超级巨富。他说：“有趣的是我们看到许多拥有中型产业的个人团体也来购买，他们也希望乘坐魔幻飞毯。”商界女性如今占据了销售的10%。

1 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

2 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

3 consecutive   

adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的

参考例句：

• It has rained for four consecutive days.已连续下了四天雨。
• The policy of our Party is consecutive.我党的政策始终如一。

4 accounting   

n.会计，会计学，借贷对照表

参考例句：

• A job fell vacant in the accounting department.财会部出现了一个空缺。
• There's an accounting error in this entry.这笔账目里有差错。

5 pinnacle   

n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰

参考例句：

• Now he is at the very pinnacle of his career.现在他正值事业中的顶峰时期。
• It represents the pinnacle of intellectual capability.它代表了智能的顶峰。