Bentley Opens State-of-the-Art New Paint Plant

Bentley Motors has officially opened its state-of-the-art new paint plant at its Crewe headquarters, welcoming Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne.

The opening marks a key milestone in the transformation of Bentley's Dream Factory, which is being delivered under the company's 'Beyond100+' strategy, establishing the production framework for its future product portfolio and bringing to life its vision for sustainable luxury car manufacturing.

Princess Anne toured Bentley's design studio, the new paint plant and production facilities, and met with colleagues responsible for vehicle development and production. As a Royal Warrant holder that has supplied vehicles to the British Royal Family, Bentley's long-standing association with the monarchy was once again reaffirmed through this visit. It also demonstrated the company's commitment to advanced manufacturing technology, sustainable production methods, and continued investment in the future of British luxury car manufacturing.

Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors, said: "It is a great honour to welcome The Princess Royal to our Crewe headquarters and to mark the official opening of our new paint plant together. The visit provided a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our colleagues, whose expertise, passion and dedication are shaping Bentley's future."

Andreas Lehe, Member of the Board for Manufacturing at Bentley Motors, added: "The new paint plant is a key milestone in our Dream Factory transformation and a significant investment in the future of British manufacturing. By combining cutting-edge technology with Bentley's craftsmanship, it will strengthen our production capabilities while serving as the essential foundation for the production of next-generation models, including 'Torcal'."

The newly opened paint plant is Bentley's latest production facility, covering a total floor area of 12,500 square metres. It has been designed as a key facility in realising the Dream Factory strategy and as the centrepiece of the restructuring of the Crewe production site under the Beyond100+ strategy.

The new paint plant is the first in the world to apply Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) to the vehicle painting process, and has been designed with production efficiency and flexibility in mind, as well as sustainability and the working environment. It supports around 100 exterior colour options and a new bespoke painting process, and features advanced thermal management systems and intelligent automation equipment to improve productivity and the working environment, while reducing energy consumption, waste and emissions, thereby supporting sustainable luxury car production.

The new paint plant will serve as the key production hub for the future product portfolio, handling the painting process for the Continental GT, Continental GTC and Flying Spur, as well as Torcal, Bentley's fourth model line. Torcal is the brand's first pure electric vehicle and the world's first luxury urban SUV, inheriting Bentley's craftsmanship and performance since its founding in 1919, and serving as the pivotal model leading the brand into a new era of electrification.

In line with its Beyond100+ strategy, Bentley Motors will continue its phased modernisation of production facilities, establishing a sustainable luxury car manufacturing framework and strengthening its next-generation manufacturing capabilities.