Bentley sets sights on hybrid power

Bentley has promised it will continue to make cars in the UK.

Company boss Wolfgang Schreiber told Autocar: "UK manufacturing is crucial for us".

Schreiber also revealed the company is seriously considering using hybrid powertrains in its future models. He said the technology was "perfect for us", and would be "applied" to a number of Bentley models at its base in Crewe. 

The first Bentley model to use hybrid technology could be the firm's forthcoming SUV, which will launch in 2016 with a plug-in hybrid variant to launch in 2018. 

The firm's financial results for 2013 show that operating profit increased to record levels of £139.7 million, an increase of almost 67 per cent on 2012, while the company's profit margin reached 10 per cent. Turnover also reached record levels, growing by over 15 per cent to £1.40 billion.

While Bentley's export activities continue to take the bulk of sales, making up 88 per cent of total turnover, the UK market continued to perform well and contributed to 14 per cent of total deliveries.

Bentley sees increasing growth opportunities in China, where it is currently the top luxury brand. For the moment, however, the US remains the firm's biggest market.

Schreiber said: "Customers all over the world continue to be very enthusiastic about Bentley. The luxury car market is not static. We will continue to make sure that Bentley will meet the changing needs of our discerning customers."

Bentley delivered a total of 10,120 cars in 2013. Last year the company had 193 dealerships, but plans to increase this to around 220 sales points by the end of this year.