Photo: original image by autoevolution
Despite not yet being able to rely on the powerful new SUV model that's expected to become their best-seller, luxury car maker Bentley is actually doing quite well, having just announced record global sales in the period though September this year. Recently released figures show that deliveries of GTs and Flying Spurs have increased by 19%, to 7,786 cars, up from 6,516 cars in the same period of 2013.
Significant growth was recorded in four key regions, Americas, China, Europe including the UK, and Middle East. America remains the biggest Bentley buyer, but with sales there having stalled, China has managed to close the gab to just 148 cars so far in 2014.
By making almost a fifth more cars so far in 2014, Bentley is rapidly closing the gap with its competitors and has become somewhat of a mainstream brand, giving the company more financial stability.
Peugeot's most popular car in Britain, the home of Bentley, is the 208. In September, this managed a very impressive 6,968 units across both retail and fleet market. This makes it the 9th best selling car in the country, but even so, Bentley made more. Sure, the Mulsanne and Flying Spur saloons they assembled in Crewe are sold globally, buy they probably each have more pieces of wood trim than a 208 has engine parts. And you can't exactly order one as a company car, now can you?
Another way to look at Bentley's new sales record is from the Italian perspective. Ferrari announced earlier this year that it would limit total production to 7,000 cars per year, which Bentley exceeded in just eight months. That limit has been increased to 10,000 after the departure of Luca di Montezemolo, but the plucky Brits should be able to top that as well.
To put that into perspective, Skoda, which is one of the biggest sellers of budget cars, delivered a total of 1,300 new cars in three Eastern European markets – Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria – during September.
Commenting on the results, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Kevin Rose, said the following: “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 2014 will go down as our best ever year.”
By making almost a fifth more cars so far in 2014, Bentley is rapidly closing the gap with its competitors and has become somewhat of a mainstream brand, giving the company more financial stability.
Peugeot's most popular car in Britain, the home of Bentley, is the 208. In September, this managed a very impressive 6,968 units across both retail and fleet market. This makes it the 9th best selling car in the country, but even so, Bentley made more. Sure, the Mulsanne and Flying Spur saloons they assembled in Crewe are sold globally, buy they probably each have more pieces of wood trim than a 208 has engine parts. And you can't exactly order one as a company car, now can you?
Think about it: 818 more Bentleys rolled out the the factory in Crewe this year than Peugeot 208 superminis arrived in the whole of Britain this September.
Bentley could be bigger than FerrariAnother way to look at Bentley's new sales record is from the Italian perspective. Ferrari announced earlier this year that it would limit total production to 7,000 cars per year, which Bentley exceeded in just eight months. That limit has been increased to 10,000 after the departure of Luca di Montezemolo, but the plucky Brits should be able to top that as well.
Bentleys still common in Britain
Bentley's UK delivered also increased, though only slightly, by 5%. In the first nine months of 2014, 1,113 new customers were found. Considering the launch of very relevant new cars like the Flying Spur V8 and GT V8S, this doesn't really surprise us.To put that into perspective, Skoda, which is one of the biggest sellers of budget cars, delivered a total of 1,300 new cars in three Eastern European markets – Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria – during September.
Commenting on the results, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Kevin Rose, said the following: “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 2014 will go down as our best ever year.”
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