According to media reports, luxury automaker Bentley will delay its plan to sell only fully electric vehicles by 2030, citing disappointing electric vehicle sales across the industry.
On November 7, Bentley Chairman and CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser told reporters in a video conference that the company will extend the target for its "Beyond100" business strategy by five years, moving it to 2035. The initiative has now been renamed "Beyond100+."
Walliser stated, "We all recognize that the automotive market has undergone significant changes. Legislation will certainly push for electrification. To be honest, demand for electric vehicles isn't high, and customers have become more cautious about purchasing these products."
Walliser confirmed that Bentley still plans to launch its first all-electric vehicle as scheduled in 2026, a compact SUV smaller than the current Bentayga. The company plans to introduce a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or a new battery electric vehicle (BEV) each year over the next decade.
Referring to the new compact electric SUV, Walliser said, "We want to attract new customers. This isn't a replacement model; it's an entirely new vehicle."
On November 7, Walliser reiterated that Bentley will continue to produce some form of hybrid or internal combustion engine vehicle as long as there is demand from customers and the market. He also noted that, despite Bentley's discontinuation of the W-12 internal combustion engine earlier this year, the company will launch a new pure internal combustion version of the Bentayga next year.
Matthias Rabe, a member of Bentley's board responsible for R&D, also spoke during the call, stating, "Nevertheless, sustainability remains extremely important." He mentioned that Bentley continues to utilize and evaluate sustainable fuels being developed by Porsche.
Walliser added, "Plug-in hybrid vehicles will be with us until 2035. In some parts of the world, full electrification will occur even later than 2035."
Andreas Lehe, Bentley's board member responsible for manufacturing, also commented. Lehe outlined plans to further expand Bentley's headquarters in Crewe, UK, including new design, assembly, and paint facilities intended to support Bentley's profitable bespoke projects.
Lehe stated, "This is the largest investment in Bentley's history," though he did not disclose the exact investment amount. In the first half of this year, Bentley's global sales dropped by 23% compared to the previous year.
