Company overview
Bentley Motors Limited is a British designer, manufacturer, and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs. Founded in 1919 by W. O. Bentley, the company began with a focus on producing high-performance sports cars and racing vehicles. Early models included the 3-litre, 6½-litre, and 4½-litre engines, which achieved significant success in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 1926, Woolf Barnato invested heavily in the company to save it from financial difficulties. Bentley became a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group in 1998, and its operations were consolidated under Audi in 2022. Current models include the Flying Spur, Continental GT, and Bentayga, all assembled at facilities in Crewe, Germany, and Zwickau. The company’s history is closely linked to Rolls-Royce, with the two brands merging and separating several times. The Bentley Boys, a group of wealthy British motoring enthusiasts, played a key role in promoting the marque’s performance capabilities. Production shifted to Crewe during World War II to support the war effort, producing Merlin engines for aircraft. Today, Bentley continues to produce luxury vehicles, primarily using Rolls-Royce chassis and engines.
