Half-Year sales up 28 per cent in the Middle East

Global performance strong with an increase of nine per cent

Dubai, UAE. 17th July 2013

Bentley Motors Middle East continues its successful performance with an increase of 28 per cent against the same period in 2012 for deliveries to customers. This is a record half-year sales result for Bentley Motors in the Middle East.

The Continental GT V8 and Continental GTC V8 have achieved increasing popularity in the Middle East since their launch in 2012 and accounted for a large portion of Continental GT sales. Combined with the Continental GT W12, GTC W12, GT Speed, and GT Speed Convertible, the GT sales accounted for 70 per cent of total sales in the first half of 2013 for the Middle East region.  

Bentley's flagship model, the Mulsanne also enjoyed a strong first half with sales increasing by 70 per cent compared with the same period last year. The Mulsanne is a pure example of the Grand Touring Bentley, combining coach-built elegance and hand crafted luxury with immense power and sportiness that together offer the world's most exclusive driving experience.

Bentley's presence in the Middle East is set to be strengthened later this year with the introduction of the new Flying Spur. The new luxury sedan made its global debut at the Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva earlier this year. Benefiting from the highest levels of luxury, craftsmanship and performance, as well as the latest technologies, the new Flying Spur is set to make a big impact on the region's luxury car market.

Bentley Middle East has dealerships in Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.  Regional Director for the Middle East, Chris Buxton said: "We have continued to build on our strong sales in 2012 regionally and globally, and this is expected to be another record-breaking year for Bentley in the Middle East. The introduction of the GT Speed and the GT Speed Convertible, combined with the forthcoming arrival of the new Flying Spur, will further enhance our product range and growth prospects."

Global sales saw 4,279 deliveries, accounting for a nine per cent increase on last year.

-Ends- 

Bentley Motors employs around 4,000 people in Crewe which is home to all its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury vehicle manufacturers such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley exports over £1bn worth of goods in 2012.  The company is the third largest R&D investor in the UK's automotive sector and the 18th largest nationally. 

For further information about this press release please contact:
Jodie Davies - Account Director
Performance PR ME
Tel: +971 (0) 4 434 7365
Mob: +971 (0) 56 799572
Jodie@performanceprme.com
Jonathan Kanaa - Account Executive
Performance PR ME
Tel: +971 (0) 4 434 7365
Mob: +971 (0) 50 857 786
jonathan@performanceprme.com

For further information on Bentley please go to www.bentleymedia.com
Twitter - @BentleyMotorsPR
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© Press Release 2013