Lady LUX

Volkswagen AG's Bentley brand may launch a new luxury sport-utility vehicle valued at more than $140,000, following solid consumer interest in high-end cars that helped up the company’s bottom line during 2011, reported The Wall Street Journal.

“If we bring this [SUV] to the market it will be positioned significantly above the vehicles that are currently available in this segment,” Bentley brand chief Wolfgang Duerheimer said to The Wall Street Journal, adding that Bentley is also eyeing releasing new styles of its Continental model.

Following two straight years of being in the red, Bentley managed to bounce back in 2011 and return a profit, boosted by a 37 percent hike in sales. Although the U.K.-based firm refused to share detailed numbers, Bentley was able to lower its operating loss to about $7.8 million from approximately $225 million during the January-to-September period the previous year.

Volkswagen will make a final call on the SUV effort during the first quarter of 2012, reported Duerheimer, who envisions a “positive decision.”

While the company is pondering the new model, robust worldwide demand for the company’s Continental and Mulsanne vehicles is liable to drive sales for 2012.

“(Bentley has) ambitious but realistic plans which reflect global economic conditions as much as our new product lineup,” Duerheimer declared.

Duerheimer forecasts sales will likely grow “in the double-digit range,” possibly hitting a record high provided the economy does not substantially worsen. He also predicts higher earnings as the firm makes an effort to limit its costs.

Volkswagen's ambitions for Bentley may take the same route as the growth in models seen at Volkswagen affiliate Porsche Automobil Holding SE, maintained Duerheimer. Bentley is considering new versions of the Continental model, along the same lines as Porsche’s 911 model.

“I can well imagine a new two-seater coupe, a racing version and a car with a new roof system,” Duerheimer said in regards to the potential new Continentals.

Pulling in sales of 2,021 cars, the United States was again Bentley’s biggest market in 2011, growing 32 percent from the previous year. China had the honor of second place, with sales doubling to 1,839 in 2011.

Continental Europe also proved to be a strong market for Bentley, with sales rising 53 percent to 1,187 cars, aiding by high consumer demand in Germany. Despite recent troubles in the United Kingdom, British sales upped 5 percent, reaching 1,031 cars sold last year.

Duerheimer reports the company has strong potential to expand in the U.S., Chinese and European markets, especially Switzerland, Austria, the Balkans and Russia.

Known as the largest European car manufacturer, Volkswagen won a bidding war with BMW and purchased Bentley from Vickers PLC in 1998. The creator behind Bentley, Rolls-Royce Motors wound up with its brand becoming part of BMW. During the first nine months of 2011, Rolls-Royce posted sales of 2,441 cars, a 41 percent growth, said the most recent data from BMW.

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