Bentley’s 2013 sales rose 19% to new record

BENTLEY Motors, the Crewe-based luxury car manufacturer, said 2013 was its best year sales in its 95-year history, with 10,120 vehicles delivered to customers.

Sales were up 19% on the 2012 figure of 8,510, the brand, part of German group Volkswagen, said.

The Americas region continued its impressive performance and number one market position, while Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Europe, particularly Germany and the UK, posted substantial gains over the previous year. Bentley’s  sales network also increased by 11%, to 193 showrooms.

Chairman and chief executive, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, said: “2013 marks our fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth, establishing ourselves as the most sought after luxury car brand in the world. We continue to win new customers and we are confident that 2014 will be another successful year for Bentley.”

The manufacturer, which employs around 4,000 people at its Pyms Lane plant in Crewe, said its new models were critical to its performance.

In 2013 it launched the new Flying Spur, the fastest and most powerful Bentley four-door model ever. In the final four months of 2013, with full availability of the new model, Bentley delivered 2,005 Flying Spurs to customers – a phenomenal reception, considering the average yearly sales of 2,700 cars of its predecessor, the Continental Flying Spur, during its seven year tenure.

Sales also commenced for Bentley’s open-top performance flagship, the Continental GT Speed Convertible. The Continental family now has four distinct models, with the recently unveiled GT V8 S added to the range.

Bentley’s top market throughout 2013 was the Americas region, finishing the year delivering 28% (3,140 cars) more cars than 2012 (2,457 cars), and 31% of the total deliveries. China remained the second biggest market, with 2,191 cars delivered in total over the year, against the previous year (2,253 cars).

In Europe, deliveries were up by 11%, with 1,480 cars delivered to customers. Bentley’s home market, the UK, also saw impressive gains, delivering 1,381 cars, a 25% increase on 2012 (1,104 cars).

Underlining the success of Bentley as an export story, the group said 86% of its cars were shipped abroad.