HONG KONG - Rolls-Royce's chief executive said Thursday China is the British luxury car maker's fastest growing market this year, with sales there up by more than 50 percent.

Ian Robertson, chairman of Rolls-Royce, front left, and Michael Kadoorie, chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai hotels limited attend the unveiling ceremony of the new fleet of Rolls-Royce Phantoms at the Peninsula hotel in Hong Kong Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006. The Peninsula Hotel takes delivery of the largest ever single order of new Rolls-Royce Phantoms with 14 extended wheelbase cars, all finished in signature Peninsula Green. [AP]

Ian Robertson also announced the company will add three dealerships in China next year, expanding the total to seven.

Robertson made his comments Thursday at a delivery ceremony for Hong Kong's Peninsula hotel, which ordered 14 new Phantoms - the world's largest such order.

Rolls-Royce said last month that China has become its No. 3 market after the US and Britain, and that it plans to add 200 employees to meet demand from China for the Phantom.

Chinese consumers have shown growing interest in luxury goods as its economic boom creates a wealthy elite.