Mid Sized Bentley update - new wood and chrome shops to be built, manufacturing investments revealed plus interior design approved
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Crewe - Bentley Motors revealed that new wood and chrome shops will be built at Crewe, representing an investment of £13.3 million. A further £56 million is being invested in the Crewe site for plant and equipment for the assembly of the new Mid Sized Bentley (MSB). 

This year alone a £3 million state-of-the-art engineering development and test facility will be created along with completion of phase two of a new £1.5 million design centre. The 40-strong design team has also now received approval of the MSB interior, the exterior styling having been signed off last December.  

These significant investments in the Crewe site herald a new era of expansion for Bentley at Crewe, which is benefiting from a five year investment programme of £500 million from parent company Volkswagen AG. Around 400 new employees will be recruited this year primarily in engineering, to support the MSB programme. 

The final assembly line for MSB will be situated alongside that for the current two and four door Bentley models. Complete production of the Bentley Arnage Red Label and Continental family will remain at Crewe – including body assembly of the four door Arnage Red Label with bodies for the two door models continuing to be outsourced. Body-in-white assembly and paint for MSB will be undertaken at Volkswagen's high quality Mosel plant in Germany. 
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Tony Gott

Photo: Bentley

"We have had a tremendously positive year at Bentley with sales success throughout the year in many markets around the world, and have showcased some exciting examples of unique Bentley craftsmanship and performance. In June we revealed our high performance Continental T Personal Commission, and last month we showcased to the world our unique craftsmanship skills through the Arnage Red Label Paris show car. At the end of August we announced the Bentley State Limousine for HM The Queen for her Golden Jubilee in 2002." 

He added: " The continuing success and enthusiasm many are sharing in our business provides us with a solid foundation for even greater achievements with MSB." 

(October 13, 2000)