Bentley reiterated its intentions of rolling out a new launching a new electric model each year, beginning in 2025, as part of its Beyond100 strategy, to be end-to-end carbon neutral by 2030, a move first reported by TheDetrotiBureau.com in November 2020, and reaffirmed in January.
2021: A banner year for Bentley
The reaffirmation Tuesday comes as the Crewe, England-based automaker announced its 2021 financial results. The automaker realized operating profits of €389 million, or $427.1 million for 2021, or €369 million more than in 2020. The profits came as Bentley sold a record 14,659 vehicles in 2021, a 31% increase compared to the previous record year of 2020.
“These results were achieved against a continued backdrop of economic uncertainty. They represent a major achievement for everybody involved at Bentley Motors,” said Adrian Hallmark, chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, in a statement.
2022: Another good year
Better yet, the company enters 2022 with a record number of orders on its books.
“Brand strength has been key to Bentley’s financial performance in 2021, with new models such as Bentayga Hybrid helping to drive profit to a record €389 million,” said Jan-Henrik Lafrentz, member of the Board for Finance and IT, Bentley Motors.
“Increasing demand for our hybridized models, supported by €3 billion of sustainable investment in our Crewe factory, will ensure we remain the benchmark manufacturer in sustainable luxury mobility.”
Looking ahead
The company plans to offer each of its three product lines as a plug-in hybrid by 2024, and in plug-in hybrid and battery-electric model by 2026, eventually becoming electric only by 2030. The Bentayga Plug-In Hybrid was Bentley’s first PHEV, followed by the Flying Spur Hybrid.
Aside from the three vehicles it currently offers, the Bentayga SUV, Flying Spur and Continental GT, Bentley will get two additional models, one of which will be an all-electric SUV for 2025 being developed with Audi.
Beyond profits, a greener factory
But the company’s investment goes beyond vehicles to the manufacturing site itself. Among the initiatives is an increase in the amount of self-generated power at the company’s plant in Crewe. The automaker intends to add 40,000 solar panels in the next two years, to help cut its carbon footprint. Currently, up to 40% of the plant’s electric demand is supplied by solar power. In addition, the plant recycles its water.
An expanding brand
Bentley’s growing car sales reflect its increasing popularity as a luxury brand.
More recently, the company expanded its brand image with its first condominium tower, The Bentley Residences, also in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida. It is the second Volkswagen Group brand to offer oceanfront residences built with an in-unit multi-car garage accessed through a patented car elevator.
The 60-story tower, currently under construction, will measure 749 feet high, making it the tallest residential tower on any U.S. beachfront. Developed at a cost of $850 million, Bentley Residences range in size from 4,200 to 6,500 square feet with Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal views, and are priced from $4.2 million.
The real estate venture furthers its intention of becoming a multi-prong luxury brand. In July, Bentley announced a partnership with Scotch whiskey distiller Macallan, similar to the relationship it has with exclusive watch company Breitling. The companies are intending to create cross-marketing ventures and even jointly branded products, such as Macallan-badged versions of Bentley vehicles.
The ventures further cement Bentley’s image as a leading luxury lifestyle purveyor, as well as a luxury automaker.
