Who owns Bentley Motors Limited? Bentley is a British luxury automaker, and it is owned by the Volkswagen Group, which is a German multinational automotive manufacturing corporation. Volkswagen acquired Bentley in 1998 from Vickers plc. As a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley shares its parent company’s ownership with other prominent automakers such as Audi, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Volkswagen Passenger Cars. As a publicly traded company, Volkswagen AG’s ownership is divided among numerous individual and institutional shareholders, with the Porsche and Piëch families holding a significant stake.
Company History
Bentley Motors Limited is a luxury automobile manufacturer known for its high-end vehicles and prestigious brand image. Founded on January 18, 1919, in London by Walter Owen Bentley and his brother Horace Millner Bentley, the company initially focused on designing, manufacturing, and selling aero engines during World War I, and later shifted to automobile production. Throughout its history, Bentley Motors has undergone various changes in ownership. A brief timeline of these ownership changes is as follows:- 1919: Walter Owen Bentley and Horace Millner Bentley established Bentley Motors Limited. – 1931: During the Great Depression, Bentley faced financial difficulties and was taken over by British Central Equitable Trust, which was later discovered to be a front for Rolls-Royce Limited.
Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley in a stealthy bidding process against Napier & Son. – 1971: Rolls-Royce faced bankruptcy, and the British government stepped in to nationalize the company. Rolls-Royce Limited was split into two entities: Rolls-Royce Motors (which was the car division, including Bentley) and Rolls-Royce plc (which covered aero engines and other non-automotive businesses).- 1980: The British government decided to privatize Rolls-Royce Motors and sold it to Vickers plc, a British engineering firm and defense company. – 1998: Vickers put Rolls-Royce Motors up for sale, leading to a bid from BMW, which already had an agreement to supply engines to the company. However, they were outbid by Volkswagen AG.
Volkswagen acquired Bentley along with Rolls-Royce as both marques were part of Rolls-Royce Motors. – 1998 (afterward): In the same year, BMW bought the rights to the Rolls-Royce name and logo from Rolls-Royce plc, the aero engines company. After negotiations, an agreement was reached where Volkswagen would continue to manufacture Rolls-Royce cars until December 31, 2002, while BMW would supply engines for Bentley during that time. On January 1, 2003, BMW took over manufacturing Rolls-Royce cars at a new factory in Goodwood, England. As a result, Volkswagen retained control of Bentley, having full ownership of the company.
From 2003 to the present, Bentley has operated as a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group, along with the Audi, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Škoda, and SEAT brands. Over the years, Bentley has maintained its reputation as a luxury car manufacturer, thanks to the combination of rich British heritage and modern-day German engineering.
Who was the original founder?
Bentley Motors was originally founded by Walter Owen Bentley, commonly known as W.O. Bentley, in 1919. W.O. Bentley was born on September 16, 1888, in Hampstead, London, England. He was interested in trains and machinery from a young age and went on to study engineering at the Clifton College in Bristol. After completing his studies, W.O.
Bentley began his career as an apprentice railway engineer with the Great Northern Railway. His passion for motor vehicles led him to join the London dealership of the National Motor Cab Company, where he gained experience with French-built DFP cars. Bentley came up with a significant improvement for the DFP cars by using aluminum pistons, which he later patented. This innovation made the DFP cars more efficient and powerful. During World War I, Bentley worked for the Royal Naval Air Service to develop aircraft engines, creating the successful BR1 (Bentley Rotary 1) engine. After the war, W.O.
Bentley saw an opportunity in the automotive market, and he founded Bentley Motors Limited in January 1919. Bentley aimed to produce cars that combined luxury and performance. In 1921, the first Bentley car, the Bentley 3 Litre, was introduced. It gained recognition for its innovative design and high-quality engineering. Over the years, Bentley Motors has made a name for itself in the luxury automobile market and has even achieved great success in motorsport, especially at the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race. Though W.O.
Bentley had to sell his company to Rolls-Royce in 1931 due to financial difficulties during the Great Depression, his legacy as an innovative designer and engineer continues to live on in the prestigious Bentley cars produced today.
Bentley’s Continued Prestige
Bentley remains a symbol of elegance and luxury in the automotive world. The brand’s commitment to quality craftsmanship and bespoke designs continues to attract affluent customers globally. Despite ownership changes, Bentley’s status as a prestigious luxury carmaker has remained unshaken.
Its cars, often hand-built to the exact specifications of each owner, offer unparalleled levels of comfort and exclusivity. With a strong presence in both traditional markets and emerging ones, Bentley has maintained its reputation as a sought-after brand. As part of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley enjoys stability while staying true to its heritage.
FAQ
1. Who is the founder of Bentley?
Bentley was founded by Walter Owen Bentley in 1919.
2. When was Bentley founded?
Bentley was founded on January 18, 1919.
3. Which country does Bentley originate from?
Bentley is a British luxury car manufacturer.
4. Who owns Bentley now?
Bentley is currently owned by the Volkswagen Group, a German multinational automotive manufacturer, since 1998.
5. What is Bentley’s main focus in terms of car production?
Bentley focuses on producing high-performance luxury vehicles, with a blend of exquisite craftsmanship and modern technology.
