Bentley Motors Celebrates 75 Years of Car Production
History of Luxury Car Manufacturing
Bentley Motors is proudly celebrating 75 years of car production at its iconic factory in Crewe, England. Today, on Pymes Lane, the luxurious Mk V was showcased, marking the last model produced in Derby before the dawn of Crewe's bright era in May 1946. This milestone coincides with unprecedented production levels of current-generation Bentley models rolling off the assembly line.
Bentley's Achievements over 75 Years
In the past seventy-five years, 197,086 luxury cars have been handcrafted—accounting for 97% of Bentley's total production. This is an extraordinary achievement, considering that only 38,933 cars were produced before the launch of our current models, such as:
Statements from Peter Bosch
Commenting on this significant achievement, Peter Bosch, Bentley's Manufacturing Board Member, stated: "The name Crewe has been synonymous with luxury car manufacturing for 75 years, representing an international showcase of exquisite craftsmanship and high quality. During this time, our colleagues have produced some of the world's most iconic and sought-after products, including cars for royal families in various countries, as well as one-off models tailored to customers' specific desires."
He elaborated, saying: "Alongside our unique physical presence, this achievement honors the colleagues who have built our brand in Crewe, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks and immense appreciation for their unwavering commitment over three-quarters of a century."
Future Investments by Bentley
He continued: "Through our recent investment, we have transformed our historic factory into what can be considered a modern collaborative sanctuary, a site distinguished by its carbon neutrality with high levels of innovation and minimal environmental impact. It preserves our heritage while maintaining significant capabilities for the future. In many areas of the factory, modern digital production systems complement the traditional craftsmanship that has been employed in our cars since 1946."
He concluded: "As we cautiously emerge from the impacts of the pandemic, we look forward to welcoming our customers back to Crewe to enjoy the exceptional experience offered by our unique factory and to meet our colleagues in person."
The Role of Crewe in Bentley's Story
Although the history of Bentley dates back to 1919, Crewe became part of the luxury brand's story in 1938 when the Pymes Lane site was transformed from potato fields into a prominent manufacturing base for Merlin aircraft engines, which played a crucial role in wartime efforts. The Crewe factory was chosen for its logistical advantages, including connectivity to transport networks and its readiness to provide skilled labor, employing over 10,000 workers at its peak production in 1943.
Production Developments in Crewe
The Bentley Mark VI became the first car to be fully produced at the Bentley factory in Crewe, being the first model to feature a pressed steel body as standard. The 4.3-liter straight-six engine used at its launch was upgraded in 1951 to a more powerful 4.6-liter unit. While separate-bodied cars were still available at that time, the Mark VI heralded a new era of Bentley production and became one of the brand's best-selling models in history.
Before the current era began, many iconic models were produced in Crewe, including the R-Type Continental, Turbo R, Arnage, and Azure.
The Major Transformation in 1998
The most significant change at Pymes Lane in Crewe occurred in 1998 when Bentley was acquired by the Volkswagen Group. The group immediately invested heavily in modernizing the factory, transforming the company into what it is today, thus creating a launchpad for a remarkable phase in the history of Bentley Motors.
The Future of Bentley
Pymes Lane has remained the focal point of Bentley's headquarters in Crewe since the company arrived there in 1938. Today, it features leading-edge facilities that are entirely carbon neutral, indicating that Bentley is the first luxury car brand to achieve this milestone.
It is noteworthy that Bentley's ambitious plans for car production have been outlined in its pioneering Beyond100 strategy. The company aims to be fully carbon neutral in all its operations by 2030, ensuring that the Crewe factory becomes an even more sustainable environment thereafter.
