From Rotorhub:
Torrance, CA – Robinson Helicopter Company deliveries of R22 and R44 helicopters during the first quarter of 2003 were 58% higher than during the first quarter of 2002. Leading the increase was the R44 with 57 deliveries followed by the R22 with 30, making a total of 87 new helicopters produced by Robinson during the first three months of 2003.
To accommodate the increased demand, Robinson added 100 more production workers, raising its total workforce from 600 to 700. Even with the additional workers, R44 Raven II production is sold out nearly five months in advance. The popularity of the new Raven II has surprised everyone. With its higher airspeed and altitude performance, plus additional payload, the Raven II found an eager market and has already become the top selling helicopter in the world by a substantial margin.