Crewe-based Bentley Motors has announced total sales of 11,206 in 2020, an increase of two per cent over 2019.
Although pre-COVID sales forecast was greater, new model introductions fuelled the achievement which was the highest sales performance in any of the luxury British marque’s 101 years.
Bentley’s production was shutdown for seven weeks beginning in March.
It then ran at 50 per cent output for the next nine weeks.
America remains Bentley’s number one region for sales but China market is growing, posting an increase of 48%.
Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said: “Even though we anticipated greater sales before the pandemic struck, when you consider the level of restrictions around the world for the majority of the year, to achieve a record sales performance is a strong measure of our potential.
“As we look to the year ahead we remain cautiously optimistic as much remains uncertain. One thing that doesn’t is our commitment to progress, the first step of which is the launch of the Bentayga Hybrid.
“This is one of nine new models we will launch this year as we continue on our Beyond100 strategic path and our accelerated journey towards becoming a fully electrified car company by 2030.”
It’s thought the key to success was introduction of new models, combined with greater global availability of other popular models.
The Bentley Continental GT (24%) and GT Convertible (15%) together accounted for 39% of total sales, finishing the year as Bentley’s number one selling model line.
The Americas region delivered 3,035 cars, an increase of 4%.
Bentley’s biggest growth was reserved for China, posting a sales increase of 48%, 2,880 cars, against 1,940.
Europe closed the year with the delivery of 2,193 cars, against a figure of 2,670 in 2019, a decrease of 18%
Bentley’s home market in the UK recorded sales of 1,160 cars – a decrease of 22% over the previous year.
Meanwhile, the company has also appointed Andreas Mindt as Director of Design, commencing on March 1 2021.
He succeeds Stefan Sielaff who has left the company after nearly six years to pursue other opportunities.
