New Investment on Tap for Bentley

Bentley announces the latest phase of the biggest site development in the automaker’s history, saying it will spend £40 million ($62.7 million) to expand its headquarters in Crewe, U.K., with a new R&D center, creating more than 300 jobs in the process.

The new 484,375-sq.-ft. (45,000-sq.-m) center will include a dedicated styling studio, R&D offices and a technical workshop.

The facilities will house 1,300 Bentley engineers and is the latest step in Bentley’s preparations to bring the world’s first ultra-luxury SUV to roads in 2016. Work on the new developments will commence early next year.

The expansion will require the creation of 300 jobs within engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales and marketing and project management.

Bentley Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer says the new center will see the company develop a new generation of Bentleys.

“Bentley is the No.1 luxury-car manufacturer in the world and driving more investment into our headquarters and attracting talent is key to continuing our success,” he says in a statement.

Bentley has announced the creation of over 950 jobs in the past 18 months, during which time the business has set new volume marks. Last year, Bentley delivered 10,120 cars and expects to top that record this year.

The latest announcement takes the automaker’s investment commitment in product and facility development to £840 million ($1.3 billion) over the next three years.

Bentley’s spending plans include a new apprenticeship training facility aimed at the largest apprentice hiring in a decade, a new flagship showroom, and an expanded engine production facility and paint shop.