Continental GT and Chinese market boost Bentley’s sales

Global economic uncertainties do not seem to be affecting the very top end of the car market – Bentley has just announced a 20 per cent hike in its global sales over the first six months of 2011.

Driving the significant climb – the best start to a year since 2008 – is the interest in the newly-launched Continental GT, and the interest in all things Bentley in China.

Chinese market sales have jumped 57 per cent, 680 of the 2,978 cars sold by Bentley in 2011 going to buyers in China.

However Bentley adds that European sales (excluding the UK) are up by 25 per cent to 494 cars and in the Americas by 23 per cent with 907 cars sold.

Bentley’s home market has seen only a six per cent rise to 533 cars, which the Crewe marque says is due to continuing low consumer confidence. However Bentley’s UK market share is steadily increasing.

Bentley believes that the latest version of the established Continental range has re-energised the brand, with a new exterior look and new engines, and is attracting new customers.

Chief Executive Wolfgang Dürheimer says that Bentley is on track to meet its full-year targets.

“It’s an exciting time for Bentley as we continue to invest in new product development, the results of which will be seen for months to come,” he adds.

“With more new model launches later this year we foresee this growth continuing into 2012 and beyond,” Dürheimer says.

Words by: Andrew Charman