Britain's automotive industry is set to receive an additional £350m in investment as Bentley directs new funding into its Crewe headquarters. This investment is for the production of its first fully electric vehicle, named the Torcal.
This announcement marks the third significant boost for the sector in a week, bringing the total fresh investment into the UK's automotive industry to £1.02bn. This figure follows previous investments of £500m from McLaren and £170m from Nissan.
The Torcal, Bentley's new fully electric car, will be designed, engineered, and built in Britain. It will utilise a network of British suppliers, including a Somerset-based wool company for the interior, and is expected to support approximately 4,000 existing jobs in Crewe.
Business Secretary Jonathon Reynolds stated that Bentley's announcement is the third win in seven days for the automotive industry, demonstrating confidence in Britain. Dr Frank-Steffan Walliser, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said the Torcal is a statement about their confidence in Britain as a centre of design, engineering, and manufacturing excellence.
As part of this investment, Bentley has upgraded its Crewe site, which has been its home for 80 years. The company has invested in new manufacturing, design, and logistics capabilities, alongside workforce training and skills development.