BENTLEY BOOSTS PROFITS AND TURNOVER

• Operating profit increased to Euros 100.5m in 2012
• Strong result driven by new models and 22% global sales growth
• Bentley expects double digit growth in 2013
• Deliveries in January and February up by 39.5%

(Crewe/London, 19 March 2013). Bentley Motors today announces its financial results for the year ending 31 December 2012, reporting a significantly increased operating profit of Euros 100.5m compared to Euros 8m in 2011. Bentley boosted its total turnover by 29.9% to Euros 1.453 billion and its profit margin increased to 7%. Demonstrating the global reach of Bentley’s business, exports accounted for 87.3% of Bentley’s total turnover, equating to a total export value of Euros 1.269 billion. The company’s market share in the luxury segment rose by 4.9 percentage points to 20.1%.
Bentley also made a strong start to the New Year. Deliveries to customers grew by 39.5% in the first two months of 2013. “With the new Flying Spur due to arrive with customers in the middle of the year, we expect to see a double digit growth rate for the rest of 2013,” Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, said.
The global growth and expansion of the Bentley brand was driven by 16 new global dealers in 2012, taking the total number to 173 dealerships in 50 countries. This year, 40 more new Bentley showrooms will open around the world.
Commenting on the results, Dr Schreiber said:
“Our performance in 2012 and in the beginning of 2013 underlines Bentley’s position as the leading manufacturer of luxury vehicles and a truly global brand. Through sound investment and product planning, we now have our strongest model line-up ever and are increasing our market share.”
The results follow another successful year in 2012 in which the company achieved global growth of 22% with 8,510 cars delivered to customers, with the top three regions comprising the US (2,457), China (2,253) and the UK (1,031)1.
These sales were driven by the introduction of a host of new models such as the Continental GT and GTC V8. The Continental family accounted for 62% of total sales, the Flying Spur contributed 25% and the Mulsanne 13%.
Notes to editors
1. 2012 Bentley sales performance

• The Americas finished 2012 as Bentley’s largest global market, with 2,457 cars delivered to customers, a 22% increase on 2011 (2,021 cars).
• China followed closely with 2,253 cars delivered, Bentley’s largest ever volume in the region and a 23% increase on 2011 sales (1,839 cars).
• In Europe deliveries were up 12% with 1,333 cars delivered to customers (1,187 in 2011).
• In the UK deliveries increased by 7% with 1,104 cars delivered to customers (1,031 in 2011).
• The Middle East region performed very well with deliveries up 44% to 815 cars in the region (566 in 2011).
• Asia Pacific also performed strongly with deliveries up 44% to 358 cars delivered to customers (249 in 2011).
• Japan saw exceptional growth of 73% with 190 deliveries (110 in 2011)

 

I take pride in being personally responsible for a small measure of Bentley's recent success!