Bentley Motors Limited is a British designer, manufacturer and marketer of luxury cars and SUVs. Headquartered in Crewe, England, the company was founded as Bentley Motors Limited by W. O. Bentley (1888–1971) in 1919 in Cricklewood, North London, and became widely known for winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1924, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930. Bentley has been a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group since 1998 and consolidated under VW’s premium brand arm Audi since 2022.
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Prominent models extend from the historic sports-racing Bentley 4½ Litre and Bentley Speed Six; the more recent Bentley R Type Continental, Bentley Turbo R, and Bentley Arnage; to its current model line, including the Flying Spur, Continental GT, Bentayga and the Mulsanne—which are marketed worldwide, with China as its largest market as of November 2012.
Today most Bentley models are assembled at the company’s Crewe factory, with a small number assembled at Volkswagen’s Dresden factory, Germany, and with bodies for the Continental manufactured in Zwickau and for the Bentayga manufactured at the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant.
The joining and eventual separation of Bentley and Rolls-Royce followed a series of mergers and acquisitions, beginning with the 1931 purchase by Rolls-Royce of Bentley, then in receivership. In 1971, Rolls-Royce itself was forced into receivership and the UK government nationalised the company—splitting into two companies the aerospace division (Rolls-Royce Plc) and automotive (Rolls-Royce Motors Limited) divisions—the latter retaining the Bentley subdivision. Rolls-Royce Motors was subsequently sold to engineering conglomerate Vickers, and in 1998 Vickers sold Rolls-Royce to Volkswagen AG.
Intellectual property rights to the name Rolls-Royce and the Rolls-Royce logo had been retained not by Rolls-Royce Motors, but by aerospace company Rolls-Royce Plc, which had continued to license both to the automotive division. Thus the sale of “Rolls-Royce” to VW included the Bentley name and logos, vehicle designs, model nameplates, production, and administrative facilities, the Spirit of Ecstasy and Rolls-Royce grille shape trademarks (subsequently sold to BMW by VW)—but not the rights to the Rolls-Royce name or logo. The aerospace company, Rolls-Royce Plc, ultimately sold both to BMW AG.
“DISTINGUISHED HERITAGE
In 1919, an engineering genius obsessed by speed, w.o. focused on his dream, creating a car bearing his name. That october the first bentley engine came to life.
During the 1920’s Bentley went from strength to strength. Racing triumphs proved reliability, speed and incredible performance. Sales soared.
These were the years of the Bentley Boys. Extraordinary adventures followed by extravagant victorious celebrations.
Five glorious Le Mans victories and a successful return in 2003 secured the sixth historical win.
2009 marks 90 years of W.O. Bentley’s legacy. True to the unique heritage, contemporary Bentleys are capable of extraordinary speeds, exquisitely handcrafted and beautifully engineered.
It is this distinguished heritage that is the essence of Bentley. Passion and dedication. Then and now.
It is not without looking back into its remarkable history that Bentley can move forward. Embracing modern technology, while ensuring W.O. Bentley’s ambitions are not lost. Traditional craftsmanship, ultimate luxury and ambitious environmental policies.
The story is only just beginning.”
“BENTLEY History
The history of bentley reads like a thriller. From the moment w.o. bentley’s 3-litre engine burst into rumbustious life in 1919 to the roars that greeted the le mans triumphs of 2003.
The ride of fate and fortune of the legendary marque has been a roller-coaster of daring visions, extraordinary characters, narrow escapes, near peril, breathtaking comebacks and glittering achievements.
It’s a story as passionate as the dedication that’s required to build a car as elegant as the Arnage or a coupe as stunning at theContinental GT. It’s a story as exhilarating as the performance of every vehicle graced with the winged B.”
*Information from Bentleymotors.com
**Video published on YouTube by “Alux.com“
