Bentley Motors

History

2022: Sale of record number of cars

On January 10, 2023, Bentley Motors released data on car sales. It is reported that in 2022 a new record was set - 15,174 delivered cars.

In 2021, Bentley handed over 14,659 cars to customers around the world, 31% more than the record set in 2020 (11,206 cars). Then it was said that this achievement was made possible thanks to the emergence of new models and the popularity of hybrid vehicles. In 2022, Bentley was able to break the record again: the annual increase was 4%. For the first time in the history of the company, it was possible to overcome the mark of 15 thousand cars sold during the year.

Bentley sold record number of cars in 2022

This significant achievement is driven by the launch of new models, as well as the growing demand for personalized Mulliner variants and hybrid vehicles introduced as part of the Bentley Beyond100 strategy, which aims to fully electrify by 2030, the automaker said in a statement.

The American market retained the position of the largest global Bentley sales region: in 2022, 4221 cars were sold here, which is equivalent to 28% in the total volume of shipments. True, sales in the United States on an annualized basis rose by less than 1%. In China, during 2022, Bentley shipped 3,655 cars, which is 9% less compared to 2021, which is explained, in particular, by restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The share of the PRC in total sales amounted to approximately 24%. Another 2809 cars (about 19%) were delivered to the European market - an increase in annual terms was recorded at 11%. In the Asia-Pacific region, 2031 cars were sold in 2022 (13%), which is 23% more compared to 2021.

The most popular Bentley model is the Bentayga crossover: in 2022, it accounted for approximately 42% of all sales. In addition, Continental GT and GT Convertible models are in high demand, accounting for a total of about 30%.^[1]

2021: Bentley car sales up 31%, to 14.659

Bentley Motors' total sales in 2021 hit a record high of 14.659 vehicles, up 31% on 2020 (11.206 vehicles). The company announced this in mid-January 2022.

The premium car manufacturer's update to the all-time high is driven by the launch of new models and growing demand for new Bentley hybrid models introduced as part of Bentley Beyond100 's strategy for full electrification by 2030.

Bentley car sales up 31% in 2021, to 14.659 units

The success of the hybrid approach in car production has allowed the Bentayga to remain Bentley's number one model - in its fifth year of sales, the SUV sold more in 2021 than ever before. In addition, the success of Bentley was facilitated by a whole year of Flying Spur sales worldwide and the release of the Continental GT Speed ​ ​ in a row with 11 new derivative models.

The region of America delivered 4.212 vehicles, a 39% increase from 2020 (3.035 units). The region became Bentley's number one market. The strong performance is supported by the release of the Continental GT Speed ​ ​ and the annual sales of the Flying Spur.

The largest growth in Bentley car sales for the second year in a row was recorded in China, the figure grew by 40%, to 4033 units against 2880 in 2020. Europe delivered 2,520 vehicles in 2021, compared to 2,193 in 2020, a 15% increase.

Bentley's home market in Britain continued to show consistently high results, sales of 1,328 cars were recorded. This represents a 14% increase over 2020.

Bentley delivered 915 vehicles to the Middle East in 2021, up from 735 in 2020. The Asia-Pacific region recorded a 37% increase in the supply of Bentley cars (1,651 cars versus 1,203 sold in 2020).^[2]

2020: Downsizing a quarter of the state

In early June 2020, the automaker Bentley announced that it intends to cut up to 1,000 jobs, as the coronavirus (COIVD-19) crisis has seriously hit sales, and the company has exhausted other ways to cut costs.

The company's full workforce is 4,200 workers, meaning the cuts will affect up to a quarter of employees. The company said it had already informed all workers of its "voluntary care program" and could not rule out future forced layoffs. The union called the loss of jobs a "heartbreaking development" for all employees.

Bentley cuts a quarter of the state after sales collapse

Before the pandemic began, the company was already working on a "major change program" that was supposed to improve productivity and create a financially sustainable structure, the statement said. However, according to the company, this strategy was "thwarted" by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a collapse in sales and a significant decrease in projected revenues.

Management has already tried to cut costs by ending new recruitment, releasing contractors, freezing pay and putting up to two-thirds of employees on forced leave, the company said. The company also resumed partial car production in May. However, all these measures did not help, and the statement said that, "unfortunately, we need to urgently reduce the staff." These measures are called the "last resort."

National union spokesman Steve Bush said the decision was "another heavy blow" to the auto industry as job losses rise as demand falls.

We are determined to support our workers and do everything we can to reduce losses, "Bush said.[3]

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