Bentley cars are made by Bentley Motors Limited, a British luxury automobile manufacturer headquartered in Crewe, England, owned by Volkswagen Group AG, the German automotive conglomerate.
Bentley is known for hand-crafted ultra-luxury grand tourers and SUVs, a racing heritage stretching back to five Le Mans victories in the 1920s, and interiors stitched and fitted by craftspeople in Crewe using materials including hand-selected hides, polished wood veneers, and machined aluminum.
Bentley is owned by Volkswagen Group and every Bentley is manufactured at the Crewe factory in Cheshire, England, where the company has been based since 1946, making it one of the most enduring and historic luxury car production sites in the world.
Knowing who makes Bentley helps buyers understand the German corporate ownership behind a quintessentially British luxury brand and the handcrafted production process that justifies prices starting above $200,000.
This article covers Bentley’s ownership history, manufacturing in Crewe, the current model lineup, and how Bentley compares to Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Bentley?
Bentley Motors is owned by Volkswagen Group AG, the German automotive conglomerate headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. VW Group acquired Bentley in 1998 when it purchased both Bentley and Rolls-Royce from Vickers for approximately £430 million.
The acquisition came with a famous complication: BMW had separately secured the rights to the Rolls-Royce name from Rolls-Royce plc for approximately £40 million, even though the physical Rolls-Royce car business went to VW as part of the Vickers deal. After a complex corporate negotiation, VW kept Bentley and the Crewe factory while BMW launched the new Rolls-Royce company in Goodwood, West Sussex in 2003.
Within VW Group’s brand portfolio, Bentley sits in the ultra-luxury tier alongside Lamborghini and Bugatti, in a segment entirely separate from the volume brands like VW, Skoda, Seat, and Cupra that make up the bulk of VW Group’s global sales.
When Was Bentley Founded?
Bentley Motors was founded on January 18, 1919, by Walter Owen Bentley (known as W.O. Bentley) in Cricklewood, north London. W.O. Bentley was an engineer and racing enthusiast who had previously worked in the railway industry and as a car distributor.
Bentley dominated Le Mans in the late 1920s, winning the 24 Hours race five times between 1924 and 1930 with the legendary “Bentley Boys,” a group of wealthy gentleman drivers. This racing heritage became the foundation of the brand’s performance identity.
Rolls-Royce Limited acquired Bentley in 1931 during the Great Depression when Bentley Motors faced insolvency. Bentley remained under Rolls-Royce ownership for 67 years before the VW Group acquisition in 1998.
Where Are Bentley Cars Made?
Every Bentley is manufactured at the Crewe factory in Crewe, Cheshire, England. Bentley moved to Crewe in 1946 after using the site during World War II for Merlin aircraft engine production. The Crewe factory has been Bentley’s home for nearly 80 years.
The Crewe campus covers approximately 80 acres and employs over 4,000 people. Significant portions of each Bentley’s interior are assembled by hand, including the leather upholstery, wood veneer fitting, and detailed panel fitting that takes hundreds of hours per car.
Bentley has committed to electrifying its entire lineup by 2030, requiring significant investment in the Crewe facility to accommodate battery electric vehicle production. Full model details are at Bentley’s official website.
What Models Does Bentley Currently Offer?
Bentley’s current lineup consists of three model families. The Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible are the brand’s grand touring sports cars, combining high-speed capability with hand-crafted luxury at prices from approximately $215,000.
The Flying Spur is Bentley’s luxury sports saloon, offering four-door grand touring practicality with the same performance credentials as the Continental GT. The Bentayga is Bentley’s luxury SUV, the brand’s most commercially successful model and its most important volume product.
All current Bentley models are available with plug-in hybrid powertrain options. The brand’s future Batur is a design study previewing the ultra-exclusive bespoke cars that Bentley’s Mulliner coachbuilding division produces for clients who want something beyond the standard lineup.
Bentley vs Rolls-Royce vs Aston Martin: Who Makes Each?
All three are British ultra-luxury car brands but with entirely different ownership. Bentley is owned by Volkswagen Group (Germany). Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is owned by BMW AG (Germany). Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings is an independent publicly traded British company listed on the London Stock Exchange, with significant investment from Mercedes-Benz AG and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Despite both being German-owned, Bentley and Rolls-Royce remain fierce rivals with very distinct brand personalities. Bentley emphasizes performance alongside luxury. Rolls-Royce prioritizes refinement and serenity above performance. Both position themselves as hand-crafted British icons despite their continental corporate ownership.
Aston Martin occupies a sportier position than either Bentley or Rolls-Royce, drawing heavily on its James Bond associations and motorsport heritage. Of the three, Aston Martin has the most volatile financial history, having gone through several ownership changes and near-bankruptcies over the years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Who Makes Bentley
Is Bentley owned by Volkswagen?
Yes. Bentley Motors is owned by Volkswagen Group AG. VW acquired Bentley in 1998 along with Rolls-Royce when it purchased both brands from Vickers. A subsequent ownership dispute resulted in VW keeping Bentley and the Crewe factory while BMW secured the Rolls-Royce name.
Where is Bentley made?
Every Bentley is manufactured at the Crewe factory in Crewe, Cheshire, England. The factory has been Bentley’s production site since 1946 and employs over 4,000 craftspeople who hand-assemble significant portions of each vehicle’s interior and bodywork.
Is Bentley related to Rolls-Royce?
Bentley and Rolls-Royce share a long corporate history. Rolls-Royce Limited owned Bentley from 1931 to 1998. When VW purchased both brands from Vickers in 1998, BMW secured the Rolls-Royce name separately, splitting the companies. Since 2003, Bentley (VW Group) and Rolls-Royce (BMW Group) have been entirely separate, competing brands.
How much does a Bentley cost?
Bentley prices start at approximately $215,000 for the Continental GT coupe and rise steeply through the range. The Flying Spur saloon starts around $215,000. The Bentayga SUV starts around $190,000. The top Bentayga Speed and special Mulliner editions extend well above $300,000. Bespoke Mulliner commissions from the coachbuilding division can reach millions of dollars for one-off creations.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.