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By RAY MASSEY, MOTORING EDITOR
Updated: 08:33 EDT, 17 March 2026
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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.
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.
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Bentley backs combustion: Luxury car maker will offer hybrid models until at least 2035 as EV concerns mount
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.'
CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST
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