Around 1,000 jobs are to be created in the UK following Bentley’s decision to develop its first sports utility vehicle (SUV) at its base in Crewe.
The luxury car maker, which employs 4,000 staff in Cheshire, plans to invest over £800m during the next three years in its headquarters and in the development of new models.
Bentley said the new SUV, due to go on sale in 2016, will be the most luxurious and most powerful SUV in the market.
In a statement prime minister David Cameron said, ‘One sector that we know is sprinting ahead in the global race is our booming automotive industry.
‘One vehicle rolls off a production line somewhere in the UK every 20 seconds and we have just launched the government’s Automotive Industrial Strategy to help continue this success for years to come.’
Welcoming the news, SMMT interim chief executive Mike Baunton said, ‘This is great news for Bentley employees at Crewe and is another tremendous vote of confidence in the UK auto industry.
‘We have a globally competitive base for automotive production with our highly-skilled, flexible workforce and advanced productivity levels.
‘UK facilities are producing luxury, premium and volume vehicles, which are winning business in markets around the world.’
Good news for Bentley. It will undoubtedly sell very well but a £800 million investment does take a lot of recouping.
The environmentalists will be “up in arms”with yet another chelsea taxi.
No doubt the target will be sports celebs and footballers with money to burn. Plus those that need a luxury 4×4 in and around the capital! Good news for employees, suppliers and the tax man. A lot of money to invest for sure.
Most of them will go overseas.
Exporting more British made goods is what we need.
Why is it a good thing Bentley are investing so much money into a truck for the bourgeoisie. these things are a niche anachronism for the uber-rich. Why can’t they spend the money on something challenging, that is more in keeping with the times and a bit less of a cliche. Even Porsche and Ferrari are experimenting with hybrids, Jag has the X75. As reported its a good example of brand over engineering and ambition.
800m seems a lot for what will most likely be a re-bodied Touareg like they did with the Porsche Cayenne