Not to be outdone by its former stablemate Rolls-Royce, Bentley has hinted it might have to expand.
Having just announced bumper sales figures just days ago the company is now trying to work out how to build more cars.
Last week Rolls-Royce confirmed development plans for its Goodwood headquarters and manufacturing facility to keep up with demand.
Speaking at the Tokyo Motor Show Stuart McCullough, member of the Bentley board for sales and marketing, said: ‘In four years our volume has grown from 1,000 to 10,000 cars.
‘The current volume is closer to where we want it to be, but we may have to change the way we produce cars.
‘At Crewe we currently work a two-shift system, so as an example we could go to a three-shift system.
‘But we won’t make those changes until we are certain the volumes are safe. We’re reluctant to push too many cars into the market place, and the worst thing we could do to our customers is cheapen the product they drive.’
Mr McCullough confirmed Bentley’s sales had now hit 1,000 units in the Asia Pacific region alone.
Japan is currently the biggest market, and new dealerships will open in the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama in the next year.
China is also a growth area, with the number of showrooms rising from six to nine by this time next year.
Sales of 200 units were expected for 2007 but they actually hit 400.
‘It’s a fact that we have a premium position in China and we can’t keep up with demand,’ said Mr McCullough.
‘Because we have high-roofed, extended wheelbase cars we dominate the “chairman of the board” market there.’
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