2013 Audi A3

Bentley bumps up future product schedule, new Continental GT may come next year

 
1 3,898 views Apr 20, 2009

Bentley Continental GTC: Staying one step ahead of the Kardashians. (Go faster! Go faster! They're gaining!)

Bentley Continental GTC: Staying one step ahead of the Kardashians. (Go faster! Go faster! They're gaining!)

Enlarge Photo
While some industry analysts are predicting that the auto market will not recover until 2011 or 2012, Bentley is certain that its customer base will be ready to buy again as early as next year. In fact, the luxury British brand is so confident in this prediction that it’s bumping up its release dates for its future product cycle by around half a year - meaning that the replacement for the popular Bentley Continental GT may be arriving as early as next year.

Moving production ahead is a bold move, but jumping the gun doesn't seem to be an issue at Bentley, which is confident that it will see a recovery in 2010. The information comes from the carmaker’s board member for sales and marketing, Stuart McCullough, who explained to Automotive News that capitalizing on this recovery will be important, and "coming out of the dip is when new models will pay off".

While the next-generation Bentley Continental GT coupe is now likely to arrive by next year, it will be followed soon enough by replacements for the Continental Flying Spur four-door sedan, as well as the obligatory GTC convertible variant. Also due next year is a replacement for the Arnage, which is expected to bow in as a new super-luxury model towards the end of the year.

Bentley's plans will place a great deal of weight on emerging markets such as China, the Middle-East and Russia, as well as returning customers from previously vital markets such as the U.S. market. Last year, sales for Bentley in the U.S. fell by close to one-third. The first quarter for this year was even worse, with sales down by over two-thirds compared to the same period last year - not exactly a good sign for a recovery predicted as early as next year.



Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comment (1)

  1. By  buy r4 Posted: 1/19/2010 2:55am PST

    “Bentley has rich history, but rather than follow BMW’s lead with Rolls-Royce and fashion something truly bespoke, original and remarkable, Volkswagen has guided Bentley into making as much money as quickly as possible.”
    I’m sorry, Justin, while I understand what you’re saying about the Bentley, there’s there’s just no way I can consider any Rolls Royce developed under VW as anything other than garish and butt ugly. The crew from Wolfsburg just doesn’t get these things. In terms of exterior styling, the Bentleys have got Rolls Royce beat hands down.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.