Key facts
- Bentley will unveil its first all-electric vehicle, the Torc, on Wednesday.
- The Torc will be built at Bentley's Crewe factory in England.
- Bentley has invested 350 million pounds in new production equipment and a paint shop.
- The new production line is housed in a 1938 building converted for EV assembly.
- Bentley's 'Dream Factory' concept blends traditional handcrafting with automated equipment.
- The company previously committed to investing £2.5 billion in sustainability over ten years.
Bentley is set to reveal its first all-electric vehicle, the Torc, on Wednesday, marking a significant step in its electrification strategy. The luxury automaker has invested 350 million pounds to transform its historic Crewe factory in England into a state-of-the-art production facility for the new model. The investment covers the development of the Torc, a new assembly line housed in a converted 1938 building, and an upgraded paint shop.
The new production line, part of Bentley's 'Dream Factory' concept, integrates traditional handcrafting methods with advanced automation. Autonomous guided vehicles will transport Torc body shells through the assembly process. The Torc is the first production model developed at Bentley's new design center, which opened last year.
Bentley's commitment to electrification includes a broader plan to invest £2.5 billion in sustainability over the next ten years, with a goal of becoming exclusively electric and carbon neutral by 2030. While the company has previously aimed for full electrification by 2035, it has recently adjusted its timeline due to market demand and charging infrastructure considerations. Plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine models will continue to be produced alongside the Torc.
The company reported sales of 2.6 billion euros and an operating profit of 216 million euros last year, alongside a restructuring plan that could affect up to 275 positions as it prepares for electrification and new model launches.