As we know already, Bentley is now over 100 years old with a portfolio of V8 and W12-powered large luxury vehicles. But, that’s about to change. The company has revealed more details on its Beyond100 strategy that sort of lays down a path for the next 100 years.
To begin with, the company aims to “become an end-to-end carbon-neutral luxury car brand” by 2030. Which means, by 2026, its portfolio will contain only Plug-in Hybrid or Battery Electric Vehicles. As you know, Bentley already offers the Bentayga PHEV. Two new PHEVs are planned for next year, and every model in its portfolio will have a hybrid option by 2023. In addition, Bentley says with almost certainty that it’ll launch its first BEV in 2025.
Which could be the production version of the all-electric EXP 100 GT concept that was showcased last year. However, it was imagined as a Grand Tourer of 2035. Either way, the bottom line is that Bentley wants to go full-electric by 2030.
Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring. Being at the forefront of progress is part of our DNA — the original Bentley Boys were pioneers and leaders. Now, as we look Beyond100, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business. Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity, and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100-year-old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury. – Adrian Hallmark, Chairman & CEO, Bentley
File Photo
Last year, Bentley’s production facility in Crewe became the first luxury automotive factory in the UK to be certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust. This followed two decades of implementing innovative solutions, including a water recycling system in the paint shop, local tree planting, installation of a 10,000 solar panel carport — taking the total number of on-site solar panels to 30,000, and a switch to renewable-only electricity sources, the company said.
Also, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in Bentley making some more changes. It has cut down (voluntary release) 800 of its employees including around 200 contractor positions, citing maintaining a sustainable business model.
If you think all of this is bad, wait until Porsche announces that it’ll go fully-electric. I know, it’s sad, but it is inevitable. Remember Porsche announced in Feb 2019 that the next generation Macan will be fully electric? Yes, it’s only a matter of time that even the 911s to be announced to go full-electric.
Recommended for you
Leave a Reply
Note: Comments that are unrelated to the post above get automatically filtered into the trash bin.
