Official: Bentley to axe 1000 jobs

The first step of this is to offer a hybrid version of every Bentley by 2023, each positioned as a range-topping model. Hybrid customers will be encouraged to plug their cars in and run on electric power as much as possible to get them used to the benefits of zero-emissions driving, offering them an incentive in the process.

Hallmark is keen to follow the hybrids with the firm’s first fully electric car in 2025, or no later than early 2026, taking advantage of matured technology to allow the range, power and performance that Bentley owners will expect.

Bentley has made its factory carbon neutral and plans to make all of its cars zero-emissions by 2040 if not sooner, but now Hallmark has said Bentley will “invest in carbon-neutral materials that are ethically sourced and environmentally sustainable”.

He added: “We can remove all CO2 and ethical challenges from the supply chain and production and give luxury a clear purpose.”

An example comes in how the firm sources wood. It has already previewed on its Bacalar special a riverwood, wood found beneath water and out of the carbon cycle for 5000 years, which Bentley can use with no environmental penalty. It also uses wood from Hawaii from trees already fallen.

“We can do more to use wood already out of the carbon cycle,” said Hallmark. “It’s more expensive and rare, but it doesn’t harm the environment if we can then transport it in a carbon-neutral way.”

These kinds of materials will be introduced to Bentley in the coming years, to avoid a cliff edge in the next decade. Hallmark said it’s clear that these kinds of more ethical and sustainable materials are being demanded by buyers already.

As for the future size of the company, Hallmark is not putting any potential figures on how big Bentley can grow. Bentley has consistently sold around 10,000 cars a year for more than a decade, not seeing significant growth even after launching the Bentley Bentayga SUV.

Instead, Hallmark is determined for the company to become financially self-sustainable to fund future investments in products and technology, selling a predictable number of cars at the right prices to help drive this. Increasing the profitability of each car sold is one area the firm will continue to develop. The Continental GT already sells for 22% above the standard list price.