Who Makes Bentley Cars: History, Heritage & Craftsmanship

The answer to, "Who owns Bentley Motors as a company?" is technically "Volkswagen Auto Group," but it's a more complex matter than just that short answer. This company is a conglomerate of multiple automakers, including several iconic European high-end car brands, and it allows each member to have a strong level of autonomy, thus preserving each one's heritage, spirit, and authenticity.

As such, Bentley vehicle production takes place in England, mainly in the Crewe factory, backed by the effort of in-house Bentley designers, engineers, and craftsmen. With nearly 80 years of manufacturing history at the Crewe factory and a heritage of over 100 years backing the Bentley name, it's only natural to think: "Which Bentley car should I choose?"

We'll give you time to think about the answer. While you mull it over, read the rest of this guide from Bentley Miami to learn more about the history of the company, as well as who makes Bentley cars.

The Bentley Origin Story

The company was the brainchild of Walter Owen Bentley: a man who many called "W.O. Bentley" at his own request. While the story begins in 1888 with Walter Owen's birth, it would be another three decades until the world would be introduced to the automaker called "Bentley." Founded in 1919, the brand would go on to make some of the world's most extraordinary cars.

Like many legendary 20th-century industrial pioneers, W.O.'s career began with bicycles, namely when he took one apart to understand how it worked. That was when he was only nine years old. Seven years later, W.O. would begin work as an engineering apprentice on the Great Northern Railway. Though steam locomotives were the established mode of rapid transportation back then, W.O. soon looked to a burgeoning new industry: motorcycles, more specifically, modifying and racing them.

With the efforts and enthusiasm of W.O. Bentley, manufacturer names of the time, like Rex, saw victory, such as in the 1907 London-Edinburgh trial. This wouldn't have been possible without both W.O. Bentley's engineering mastery and his love for speed.

In 1912, he shifted gears and started a business importing French vehicles with his brother, and soon the real magic happened. During a trip to the brand's headquarters in France, he noticed a rather odd paperweight. It was solid, yet lighter than expected, as it was made of aluminum. W.O. Bentley began experimenting with this metal, as it was a revolutionary material at the time, eventually finding a way to make engines with high-performance aluminum pistons. Speed records were soon set by W.O. Bentley as he drove these French cars powered by his own engines.

That fun came to an end when World War I began. Like other British manufacturers of the time, the answer to "Who owns Bentley Motors as a company?" became intertwined with "the government," as wartime efforts demanded a commitment to military manufacturing. This took shape in the form of the BR.1 engine and its aluminum pistons, which powered the legendary Sopwith Camel fighter plane, among other combat aircraft of the war.

World War I would end, time would pass, and the Bentley brand was founded as we know it on July 10th, 1919. The guiding vision was to "...make a fast car, a good car, the best in its class." The Bentley 3 Litre, the first Bentley car to enter production, made that vision a reality and immediately began competing in races like the Indy 500 and the Isle of Man TT. Walter Owen Bentley, true to his passions, raced the cars that bore his own name up until 1922.

Though the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which started in 1923, wasn't a stage W.O. Bentley dreamed of competing on, his test drivers (the "Bentley Boys") took up the challenge in the Bentley 3 Litre Sport model and nearly snagged a podium finish at that 1923 running. With W.O. Bentley's full support then being given, Bentley Motors went on to win the 1924 24 Hours of Le Mans, setting a strong motorsports heritage in motion and later winning the gruelling race five times in seven years.

That is the Bentley origin story, and the foundation upon which the Bentley model lineup continues to be built.

Bentley Motors Continues To Live Out Its Legacy

The Bentley brand's history continues from there with many race wins, many spectacular luxury cars, and a lot of twists and turns, but the core values have remained the same: make fast, good, and best-in-class cars.

From the Continental GT to the Bentayga, you can feel this automaker's vision and passion for yourself as you shop new Bentley vehicles.

Does Volkswagen Own Bentley Motors?

As mentioned, the Volkswagen Auto Group has been the corporate Bentley owner since 1998, having brought the brand into the conglomerate family that year. Do note, though, that the Volkswagen Auto group includes Volkswagen, but the brand itself is a separate entity.

The Volkswagen Auto Group owns legendary brands from various nations, such as Porsche and Lamborghini, and to ensure that all group members can remain true to their roots, the management structure allows each automaker to have a high degree of independence.

Bentley Motors, as a result, remains a proudly British luxury-and-performance automaker and continues to honor the craft that W.O. Bentley loved.

Bentley interior design is focused on the brand's traditions and long history of meticulously crafted cabins. The engines are as unique today as W.O. Bentley's aluminum pistons were back in the 1910s. The goal continues to be to make the best cars, and also to make them with a uniquely British spirit and high level of luxury.

Who Owns Bentley Cars? Make the Answer "Me" at Bentley Miami

If any part of the foundational Bentley history or W.O. Bentley's passion resonates with you, we welcome you to learn more about Bentley Miami and visit us at your leisure.

We are Miami's official Bentley dealership, and we want to share our passion with you. Our location is accepting orders and has appointments available to tour our inventory, along with certified pre-owned Bentley models that are eager to please a new owner.

Our dealership is a destination rather than a simple showroom. Come visit us and see the near-infinite bespoke build options we can send to the factory, learn more about Bentley news and history, and get a taste of future models like the EXP 15 concept, the first Bentley electric car .

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Bentley vehicles manufactured?

Bentley vehicles are manufactured in England, namely at the Crewe factory, located in Cheshire. This factory has been the birthplace of many Bentley vehicles from 1946 to today. If you place a custom order, you can even take a personalized tour of the factory, which culminates in you taking delivery of your new Bentley vehicle after you watch it undergo the final steps in the production process.

What races has Bentley Motors competed in?

Bentley Motors has competed in countless races over the years, but the most significant name is undeniably the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This race is the ultimate test of both man and machine, pushing everything to its limits. Bentley Motors won the second-ever 24 Hours of Le Mans and then laid down a dominant streak for years after that, which is what set the brand's story in motion.

How fast are Bentley cars?

All Bentley cars are fast, and the specific answer here will vary depending on the model you examine. The Bentley Continental GT has been the lineup's speed star for years; the new Bentley Continental GT goes 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds while being able to reach a 208-mph top speed (on a closed course). There's also the Bentley Supersports: the Continental GT turned up to 11.