Beautiful Virgin Islands

Friday, Apr 03, 2026

Bentley is going electric whether you like it or not

Bentley is going electric whether you like it or not

Bentley had its best year ever for sales and profits in 2022 and is working toward becoming an all-electric automaker by 2030 with more customers interested in making the switch.

The luxury automaker sold 15,174 vehicles worldwide and turned a profit of $752 million, both all-time records for the brand.

Profits increased 82% over the prior year driven by a 20.9% return on sales, which benefited from an increasing number of high specification and bespoke vehicle orders.

"We have built a sustainable financial basis for the long-term, a competitive cost structure and unique market positioning, resulting in a historically strong cash generative that is providing the funding for the most ambitious race to full BEV and carbon neutrality in the luxury sector," Bentley Chairman and CEO Adrian Hallmark said.

"Our order bank and order intake rate so far in 2023 show strong potential to sustain our performance, although the business environment is becoming more volatile and risk factors are increasing."


Sales were led by the Bentayga, which accounted for 42% of deliveries.

The large SUV is available with a range of engines that includes a 12-cylinder, a V8 and a plug-in hybrid V6, but they will be going extinct soon.

Bentley is one of several brands that has committed toward going all-electric by 2030 and will launch its first zero-emissions model in 2025.

Adrian Hallmark is confident Bentley's customers will make the transition to electric.


During a roundtable with reporters, Hallmark said the company is "fully committed to go fully electric," even as some of its sister brands under the Volkswagen Group umbrella are investigating the use of carbon-neutral synthetic E-Fuels as a way to keep internal combustion engines alive.

Part of Bentley's appeal has always been its big, powerful motors, and the company estimates it has sold more vehicles with 12-cylinder engines over the past 20 years than all other automakers combined, but Hallmark thinks the choice is clear.

Bentley's 12-cylinder engine features a unique W-configuration.


E-Fuels have yet to be approved by regulators in Europe and elsewhere who are developing zero-emissions automobile regulations, which makes it a risky proposition for a smaller company like Bentley.

"We can’t afford to develop both," Hallmark told FOX Business.

"Looking at our customer profiles and the cities and countries restricting the use, we are on the right side of the equation."

He is confident most Bentley owners will come along for the ride.

"We’ve not done this without consulting our customers."

Hallmark said that four years ago just 14% of those polled said they were looking to buy an electric Bentley within five years, but now that number is 62%, and he expects it to be above 70% in an upcoming survey.

"We accept losing some customers, but it's better than losing 70%."

Its gasoline engines will be going out with a bang, however, and Hallmark said there will be special edition "last-ever" models as they are retired.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Trump’s Strategic Pressure on UK Seen as Push for Stronger Alignment and Fairer Terms
UK Focuses on Trade Finance to Secure Critical Materials for Defence and Energy Sectors
Majority of UK Businesses Hit by Middle East Conflict While Confidence Holds Firm
UK Royal Navy Faces Renewed Scrutiny as Debate Intensifies Over Capability and Readiness
Reform UK Faces Mounting Distractions as Policy Agenda Struggles to Gain Traction
Investigation Launched Into Northern Cyprus IVF Clinics After UK Families Receive Incorrect Sperm
International Meeting Issues Unified Call to Safeguard Navigation Through Strait of Hormuz
Potential Strait of Hormuz Closure Raises Concerns Over UK Food and Medicine Supply Chains
UK Leads Coalition of Over Forty Nations Urging Iran to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
UK Secures Tariff-Free Access for Medicines in Landmark US Pharma Trade Agreement
King Charles III Invited to Address Joint Session of U.S. Congress in Rare Diplomatic Honor
Debate Grows Over Whether Expanded North Sea Drilling Can Reduce UK Energy Bills
UK Faces Heightened Risk of Jet Fuel Shortages, Airline Chief Warns
UK Ends Police Investigations into Lawful Social Media Posts After Review Finds Overreach
Abramovich Moves to Establish Charity for Frozen Chelsea Sale Proceeds Amid UK Dispute
Starmer Reaffirms NATO Commitment While Responding to Trump’s Strategic Critique
UK Aid Reductions Raise Fears of Severe Human Impact Across Parts of Africa
UK Signals Renewed Push for EU Cooperation as Iran Conflict Reshapes Security Landscape
Bank of England Signals Caution as Bailey Advises Markets Against Expecting Rate Hikes
UK to Convene Global Coalition to Restore Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz
Trump Signals Possible NATO Reassessment, Emphasizes Stronger U.S. Strategic Autonomy
Australia Joins British-Led Efforts to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions
King Charles Plans US State Visit as UK Strengthens Ties with Trump Leadership
UK Regulator Launches Investigation Into Microsoft’s Business Software Practices
Kanye West Set for High-Profile Return to UK Stage at Wireless Festival
Trump Presses Europe to Strengthen Commitment as Iran Conflict Escalates
UK to Deploy Additional Troops to Middle East Amid Rising Regional Tensions
UK Authorities Face Claims of Heavy-Handed Measures in Monitoring Released Pro-Palestine Activists
Trump Calls on UK to Secure Its Own Energy as Iran Conflict Intensifies
Nigel Farage Declines Invitation to UK Conservative Conference Led by Liz Truss
Trump Warns Allies to Take Responsibility as Rift Deepens with UK and France Over Iran Conflict
How Britain’s Prime Minister Controls U.S. Bomber Access in Escalating Iran Conflict
Trump Urges Allies to Secure Their Own Oil Supplies as Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Global Energy
Russia Expels British Diplomat as UK Pushes Back Against Pressure
White House App Faces Scrutiny After Claims of Continuous User Location Tracking
BBC Faces Scrutiny Over Allegations of Paid Content Linked to Saudi Arabia
UK-France Coastal Patrol Agreement Nears Breakdown Amid Migration Pressures
UK Police Detain Pro-Palestine Activist Again Weeks After Bail Release
FTSE 100 Advances as Energy and Mining Shares Gain Amid Middle East Tensions
Eli Lilly Seeks UK Pricing Deal to Unlock Renewed Pharmaceutical Investment
Three Arrested in UK After Massive Cocaine Haul Discovered Hidden in Banana Shipment
UK Fuel Prices Poised for Further Surge Amid Global Energy Pressures
Apple Subsidiary Penalized by UK Authorities for Breach of Moscow Sanctions
Western Allies Intensify Coordinated Sanctions Strategy Against Russia
UK Lawmakers Face Criticism Over Renewed Push for Social Media Restrictions
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
×