Bentley opens 7th dealership in West China

Shanghai. September 21 (Gasgoo.com) - England-based Bentley Motors Ltd opened its seventh dealership in China yesterday, expecting to win the untapped luxury automobile market in West China.

"Before the Chengdu dealership opens, we have got reservation for ten Bentleys," said Zheng Biao, general manager of Bentley China, adding that it has greatly encouraged the company's further exploration in the western areas, the state media Xinhua news reported.

Bentley's new dealership is located in Chengdu, a city in Southwest China, which was seen not as developed as eastern cities like Shanghai. But now auto deliveries in Chengdu jump to the fourth largest following Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Auto market here is growing 20 percent annually, according to the industrial statistics.

Bentley's Chengdu after-sales service center would be completed by the end of this year, according to the company's official. In mainland China, Bentley has established seven dealerships in Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu.

"We expect China will become the largest luxury auto market, though I can't tell precisely when that will happen," said Andrew Smale, head of Bentley's China office.

Bentley sold 127 vehicles last year in mainland China, double the sales of 2004. In the first eight months this year, Bentley has sold 250 vehicles. Andrew Smale predicts that sales in the whole year 2007 will jump to 300-350 units.