Bentley enjoys strong first quarter
Bentley Motors said global deliveries to customers in the first quarter of 2013 jumped by 25 per cent to 2,212 units compared to the first three months of last year.
Growth for the uber-high end luxury automaker came predominately from the U.S. and what it termed “outstanding sales” in the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
The automaker also opened eight new dealerships in the first three months of the year.
“Bentley continues to sustain significant global sales growth. We are simultaneously rolling out our dealer expansion plan with eight new outlets opening their doors to customers so far this year and over thirty more to come,” explained Kevin Rose, Bentley’s board member.
“Although conditions in some markets are becoming more challenging, we are continuing to increase our market share thanks to our growing global presence and growth in key new markets such as Russia. I am confident that with the imminent arrival of the new Flying Spur we will maintain substantial growth for the rest of 2013.”
The Americas surged with 632 cars delivered to customers in the region, a 35 per cent increase on Q1 2012. Bentley executives attribute the performance to the increased strength of the Bentley dealer network in the U.S. and the arrival of key new models in the market including the Continental GT V8 and GTC V8 and the next generation Continental GT Speed.
The Middle East region saw deliveries jump 41 per cent to 237 cars. Asia Pacific increased its deliveries by 68 per cent to 116 cars.
China was one of the few blemishes on the quarter as the 474 cars sold represented a 17 per cent decrease, something the automaker said reflects the anticipation of the new Flying Spur, the top selling Bentley in China, which becomes available from mid-2013 onwards.
