‘It was a record Q2 – the biggest loss we’ve ever made…’
2020 should have been Bentley’s year… But, says CEO Adrian Hallmark, 2021 will be
2020: a rollercoaster of a year
‘The first quarter of 2020 was a sales and profit record, proving that the business changes we’d made were positive. We had another record quarter in Q2: the biggest loss we’ve ever made; big enough to wipe out that Q1 profit. But, where at one point we thought we might record a three-digit-million loss, it’s likely we can break even for 2020.’
Kicking on in 2021
‘[2021] should be a good year. We’ve come through this crisis in good shape; stronger than we were when it started. We’re entering 2021 with all our re-structuring done, our range is less than two years old, our order bank is 50 per cent higher than it was before the crisis, and we have three derivatives and four engines to launch in 2021. The Bentayga and Flying Spur hybrids are both incredible.’
The Blower drives like a 130mph Series III Land Rover!
‘I love the Blower. I love the history of the team and of Birkin. The chance to drive the first car that we’ve re-created [Bentley is building 12 continuation cars] is a real privilege. Driving the original is like driving an unrestored Series I Land Rover that can do 130mph. The continuation car feels like a 130mph Series III that’s been fettled to within a millimetre of its life; tighter, more precise, and the way I imagine it was when Birkin drove it.’
Closer to Audi
‘We’re not yet under Audi governance – in terms of a timeline, the second quarter [of 2021] is the statement that’s been made. We have a strong relationship with Audi [the Bentayga and Q7 share genetic material], as we do with Porsche [platform partner for the Conti GT and Flying Spur]. But with the current cars we had to get into the engineering of those architectures largely after they’d been done. The di erence now is that with these new electrical architectures we’re in at the beginning. We can’t tell them what to do but we can give them our detailed engineering requirements and get them built in from day one. Electrification isn’t just an option, it’s an obligation.’ (As well as a new engine test and certification complex, Bentley is creating an electrification facility at Crewe with 1000 sta .)
Hybrids will ease the transition
‘With improvements in battery technology and a dedication to making things lighter and more aerodynamic, an e cient electric vehicle is possible in five to 10 years’ time [the EXP 100 GT, above, previews Bentley’s electrification]. Until then you can expect more power from the electrical system, maybe more power from the engine, more range and faster charging. The game-changer would be 50 miles of charge in five minutes. We’re not demonising the combustion engine. We’re saying it’s part of the transition and we’re on that journey.’