How VW revived Bentley

Matthew Lynn writes a fine piece in The Spectator about Volkswagon's decade-old success in reviving British-made Bentley:

If the British imagine that they can’t do manufacturing any more, then Bentley disproves it. The cars are all made at the listed Crewe factory, along a production line that is both spotless and modern. Its managers have the advantage of being able to tap into all the engineering expertise of the VW group — which includes Audi and Bugatti, as well as the mass-market Skoda and Volkswagen itself, and which may soon be owned by Porsche.

Another interesting bit from earlier in the article:

Bentley has always been one of the most evocative of automotive brands. The business was founded by Walter Owen Bentley, generally known as W.O., soon after he was demobbed from the army at the end of the first world war. It was one of dozens of car manufacturers founded at the time. But while competitors such as Herbert Austin and William Morris were interested in the mass market, much like Henry Ford in America, Bentley was primarily interested in power and grace. By 1924, a Bentley had already won the punishing 24-hour race at Le Mans, and over the next few years his stable of champagne-drinking, high-living racing drivers known as the Bentley Boys were the toast of society. By the end of the decade his marque was among the most celebrated in the fledging motor industry.

I've never been what you'd call a "car guy" -- but I've always thought Bentleys were wonderful and it's good seeing the brand is surviving. And even thriving.

Comments

[David]

Definitely thriving. I think the past four years of the bull market and easy money conditions has helped a lot, as has the introduction of some of the entry-priced sport coupes such as Continental GT.

And from what I gather, the new Bentleys are supposed to be pretty reliable and made for everyday personal driving.

I'll check out the Spectator article as well.

[John]

Well, if a downturn comes maybe they can survive just selling new models to oil sheiks. ;-)