Bentley workers have today celebrated completing the first production version of one of the most important models in the brand’s history – the Bentayga SUV.
Described by Bentley management as the catalyst for one of the biggest investment programmes yet seen at the luxury brand, the first production Bentayga rolled off the line at the Crewe plant, ahead of the first deliveries to customers in January 2016.
The first production Bentayga SUV was finished in Anthracite paint and during the assembly process passed through a new bodystore, a new paint shop and a new assembly line.
All are part of an £840 million investment programme at Bentley, the beginning of full Bentayga production coming four years after the initial concept was commenced, and in the period since more than 1,500 UK jobs have been created as part of the programme.
Bentley Motors chairman and chief executive Wolfgang Dürheimer contends that the Bentayga will be the benchmark against which all other SUVs are measured, creating a new luxury SUV segment.
“This car is a celebration of UK manufacturing at its very best, not only reinforcing our commitment to industry in this country, job creation and significant investment, but to our home in Crewe,” Dürheimer says.
“This is an important moment in our history, where we reflect and celebrate, but also look ahead to delivering this extraordinary car to our customers,” he adds.
The occasion has been welcomed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron, the programme backed by £9.5 million from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
“It marks the culmination of a period of exceptional hard work by Bentley and its dedicated workforce as they brought this remarkable new vehicle to market,” Mr Cameron says, adding; “It has created hundreds of valuable skilled jobs for the area and secured the future of production onsite. Well done to all at Bentley – this is a moment of great pride for everyone who lives and works in Crewe.”
Keyword: First Bentayga SUV rolls off Bentley line