Bentley CEO: Some Motorists Won’t Embrace Electric Cars
Bentley is pushing forward with its electric vehicle transition, but the luxury carmaker’s Chief Executive, Frank-Steffen Walliser, acknowledges that some customers may never give up their internal combustion engines.
“There are, for sure, customers who say, fine, if it’s the latest and greatest technology I will take it, whatever it is,” Walliser noted, explaining that as the transition to electric vehicles happens, some of his clientele will be excited to adapt.
However, he admitted that others will inevitably say, in his words, “if it’s not a combustion engine, I will not drive it.”
This admission comes as Bentley recently began work on its first electric vehicle production line at its historic Crewe facility. The 85-year-old plant on Pyms Lane is scheduled to begin building its first electric model, a battery-powered SUV, next year, with deliveries slated to begin in 2027.
Walliser, who took over as CEO last July, has reaffirmed Bentley’s plan to roll out a new electric or hybrid model annually for a decade. This plan is part of the luxury carmaker’s broader strategy to transition to an EV-only lineup, according to The Telegraph.
“If we have a great product, a true Bentley, maybe the best Bentley ever, then we will have enough pulling power no matter what the drivetrain,” Walliser stated.
While committed to electrification, Bentley has adjusted its timeline for going fully electric, pushing back its target from 2030 to 2035. The company had scrapped its original plans last November, with Walliser admitting they were “maybe a little bit too bullish in the beginning.”
He added, “Our judgment is that, at the moment, we are at the very deep point on the acceptance of electric cars. We assume it will come back.”
Walliser emphasized that anticipating future sales trends was more crucial than focusing on customers resistant to EVs. He pointed out that Bentley has a diverse clientele, with their purchasing decisions focusing primarily on exciting features, not costs.
Bentley ended production of petrol-only cars last year when it retired the W12 engine, with all models now equipped with hybrid engines as part of the ongoing transition towards EVs.
Despite the ongoing transition, Bentley’s operating profit dropped almost 40 percent last year, down to €373 million (£313 million). However, the company achieved record revenue per car due to its focus on “value over volume.”
