Bentley, a must-have for any self-respecting celebrity, saw global sales rise for a fourth year in row.
The first half of 2007 saw an increase in sales of 18.8 per cent over the same period in 2006, with over 5,600 customers taking delivery of a car.
Turnover at £501.5m was 24 per cent higher than the first half of 2006, and operating profit, at £57m, was also up on the first half of 2006.
March saw the highest number of sales in any month achieved by the marque, with over 1,200 customer deliveries worldwide.
Bentley, which is owned by German automotive giant Volkswagen, has been re- invented since the takeover in 1998, thanks to a £500m investment from its new owner.
Continental GT
Its success has been driven by the launch of the Continental GT, its big sister the four-door Flying Spur, and the convertible model the GTC.
Among well-known Bentley owners, Manchester United star Wayne Rooney famously bought his fiancée Colleen McLoughlin a GTC, while the Beckhams, US star J-Lo and Paris Hilton are all proud possessors of Bentleys.
Chairman Franz-Josef Paefgen said: "We have seen strong growth both in mature markets, such as Germany, the UK and the US, as well as in emerging markets, such as China and Russia. This augurs well for a good full year, and the recent launch of two new convertibles - the Continental GTC and the Azure - giving Bentley its most extensive model range ever, will continue to contribute to our ongoing success."
Bentley Motors was established in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley. The Crewe plant employs almost 4,000 people.
Bentley continues to innovate. It has just launched the new Continental GT Speed, the most powerful production model ever, with a top speed of 202mph. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Why would you need that top speed in the uk?
Who really cares about how fast a bentley goes or how cool they are?Britain is falling appart and we have stories like this,that nobody is really interested in?
I wonder how many of your readers have ordered one ? or how many are really interested .I think to be honest that all cars over 1600cc should be hit hard with tax etc. where can people use this power in this day and age? the extra power is just to show off "LOOK IVE GOT A CAR THAT WILL DO 10 TO THE GALLON AND DRIVE AT 200MPH" On the race track .What stupid pratts really buy these cars in britain knowing full well there is nowhere you can use this power.We have lots of luxury cars that are useable in britain.and better economy.i know what some are going to say. if you can afford it why not? thats a stupid way of looking at things .why buy a car you cannot drive faster than 70mph anywhere.