Sales boost puts Bentley on the road to record year

Bentley’s four key regions—Americas, China, Europe including the UK, and Middle East—all saw strong performance in the first nine months.

MANILA, Philippines–Nine months into 2014 and Bentley’s aim of having a record breaking year is firmly on track. Global deliveries increased by 19 percent, to 7,786 cars, up from 6,516 cars in the same period in 2013.

Bentley’s four key regions—Americas, China, Europe, including the United Kingdom, and Middle East—all saw strong performance, with the Americas retaining its position as Bentley’s No. 1 market, but with China posting strong growth to close the gap.

New models drove this international success, with the Continental GT V8 S coupé and convertible, and Flying Spur V8 entering the market.

“We said at the start of the year that 2014 would be a record breaking year for Bentley and we are firmly on track to deliver on our promise. Certain markets are tough, as other luxury car brands can testify, but with our three model lines delivering a perfect blend of luxury and performance, alongside the international appeal that we have as a brand, it will ensure that 2014 will go down as our best ever year,” said Kevin Rose, Bentley’s member of the board for sales, marketing and aftersales.

Remaining in Bentley’s No. 1 position, the Americas delivered 2,107 cars, 4 percent up on the first nine months of the 2013 performance of 2,022 cars.

Bentley’s sales in China remained solid in a less than buoyant market. A total of 1,959 cars were delivered in the first nine months of 2014, against 1,264 cars in 2013.

A strong German market continued helping Europe to post a sales increase of 7 percent.

Compared to 1,081 cars in the previous year, 1,155 cars were delivered in 2014.

The United Kingdom deliveries also increased by 5 percent. Rising from 1,055 cars a year ago, 1,113 cars were delivered.

Significant sales growth in the Middle East continued, a 21-percent improvement since 2013 (596 cars) with 720 cars delivered. Deliveries in the Middle East have now more than doubled in the past three years.

These results were reinforced in Asia-Pacific with 468 cars delivered—a 49-percent rise on its 2013 figure of 315 cars. While in Japan, 207 cars were delivered—a 46-percent growth on its 2013 figure of 142 cars.

In 2013, Bentley’s previous record year, the company posted the highest delivery, turnover and profit figures in its 95-year history.