Bentley to axe 275 jobs as income tumble: Luxury automotive make faces a ‘difficult’ international market

Bentley is axing 275 jobs as it faces a ‘challenging’ global market.

Boss Frank-Steffen Walliser said ‘we are making some difficult decisions to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the business’ with 6 per cent of its 4,600-strong workforce set to go.

The comments came as Crewe-based Bentley reported a 42 per cent fall in operating profit to £187million.

However, the company stressed that without factors beyond its control – including increased costs stemming from its parent company Volkswagen and US tariffs – its profits would have been comparable to 2024 when it made £322million. 

This was down from £509million in 2023. Bentley sold 10,131 cars last year – down by 512 or nearly 5 per cent on 2024. It said this was driven ‘largely by continued market contraction, particularly in China’.

Bentley is close to finishing a new assembly line at its Crewe site to build the marque’s first fully electric vehicle.

Sales slump: Bentley sold 10,131 cars last year – down by 512 or nearly 5% on 2024. It said this was driven ‘largely by continued market contraction particularly in China’

Bentley bosses described the job cuts as necessary ‘organisational efficiency measures’ and will be subject to a consultation that will affect affecting management, agency and non-manufacturing employees.

The British prestige motor brand said: ‘The programme reflects organisational adjustments and the overall efficiency activities could result in 275 positions being removed from the organisational structure, as the business prepares for its next phase of electrification and future product launches.

‘Bentley is committed to managing the process responsibly and supporting affected colleagues throughout.’

The firm said it hoped to avoid future job cuts but could not rule them out given levels of volatility and uncertainty in the world.

But it insisted they were not ‘panic measures’.

Walliser added: ‘I want to express my sincere appreciation to those affected – we are committed to supporting each individual with care, guidance and assistance throughout this transition.’

Bentley bosses described the job cuts as necessary ‘organisational efficiency measures’

Bentley’s first all-electric car will be launched in early 2027. 

But the company has abandoned its earlier ‘EV only’ plans and is now creating a more ‘balanced portfolio’ of vehicles by extending the life of its internal combustion engined cars because of renewed interest in petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. 

It follows a dip in demand for luxury electric vehicles which has seen a number of brands – including Bentley rival Lamborghini – either scrapping or delaying their EV-only intentions until the middle of the next decade.

Bentley execs also defended their big cars – such as the Bentayga SUV – against criticism from London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, who says they are a risk to small children.

The Mayor is looking to introduce additional taxes on ‘Chelsea Tractors’ following claims that they are a bigger danger than smaller cars.

But Walliser said he believed this was a ‘political’ move noting: ‘I don’t know where the evidence is that one car is more dangerous than another.

‘They all have to pass regulations for pedestrian protection and cycling protection.’