Bentley, a Volkswagen-owned luxury car manufacturer, has recently unveiled a state-of-the-art Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch facility at its headquarters in Crewe, UK. This facility is a crucial part of Bentley’s ambitious ‘Beyond100+’ strategy, which focuses on transitioning towards electrification and embracing new technologies.
Covering an impressive 8,000m2 across two floors, the Excellence Centre is designed to be a digital, environmentally neutral manufacturing and quality hub. It houses a production proving ground and a mini assembly line specifically dedicated to testing the assembly of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Additionally, the facility includes a technical center for testing future materials, high precision dimensional measurement, vehicle analysis, and reliability testing.
Andreas Lehe, a member of Bentley’s Manufacturing board, emphasized the importance of this new facility in the company’s electrification journey. He stated, “The Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch is a key building block for the successful delivery of the Beyond100+ strategy. The facility represents a significant step forward in transforming our historic Crewe site into a world-leading hub for sustainable luxury automotive production.”
The transformation of the 85-year-old site signifies Bentley’s commitment to advancing its electrification strategy. The facility will play a pivotal role in upholding Bentley’s reputation for unparalleled quality, precision, and craftsmanship as they prepare to launch their first fully electric vehicle, a luxury urban SUV expected to hit the market in 2026.
As part of Volkswagen’s overall strategy, Bentley plans to offer plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) until 2035, extending the original target of achieving a fully electric lineup by 2030. In line with this, the company announced plans to introduce a new plug-in hybrid or fully electric model every year starting in November 2024.
The new Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch is a testament to Bentley’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the luxury automotive industry. With a focus on electrification and cutting-edge technologies, Bentley is poised to lead the way in the transition towards a more sustainable future for the automotive sector.
