Bentley makes new five-year plan for China business

Shanghai, June 30 (Gasgoo.com) British carmaker Bentley, owned by Volkswagen, has recently made a new five-year plan aiming to expand its business in China, Bentley's third-largest market in the world, following the U.S. and Britain.

Bentley China plans to add four more dealerships in Kunming, Tianjin, Xiamen and Shenyang this year and then to expand its sales networks at other twenty-four Chinese cities in five years, with a total investment of over 300 million yuan ($44 million). Besides, it intends to deliver 700 vehicles in 2010, said Zheng Biao, general manager of Bentley China.

As part of the plan, Bentley will also import a couple of new models into China, such as its latest flagship model Mulsanne showcased at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show in April, the Continental GT Ultimate series, the Continental Flying Spur Speed China special edition and Bentley's fastest environmentally-friendly Continental Supersports Convertible model.

The new-generation Mulsanne not only maintains Bentley's traditional sports car features but also has a rich elegant, confident, and sumptuous ambience. The 6.75-liter V8 engine is installed on this eye-catching product again, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 15%, said people with the direct knowledge of the matter.

In terms of the new-energy vehicle and the low emission technology, Bentley promised at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show that 80% of the Bentley models will be using biofuels and by the end of 2012, all Bentley models will be using more environmentally-friendly, low-carbon and energy-efficient biofuels.

Reportedly, Bentley's new emission technology and new powertrain system can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 15% and improve the fuel efficiency by 40%, respectively. At present, this powertrain system is still under development, and is expected to launch by the end of this year.