Does Bentley Belong to Rolls-Royce?
2 Answers
Bentley does not belong to Rolls-Royce. From 1931 to 2003, Bentley was part of Rolls-Royce. From 1919 to 1931, Bentley belonged to Bentley Motors Limited. Since 2003, Bentley has been owned by Volkswagen AG. Rolls-Royce: Rolls-Royce is the sole symbol of elegance and nobility in the automotive kingdom. No matter how outdated the design of Rolls-Royce cars may be or how high their cost, they still have no challengers to this day. Rolls-Royce was officially established in the UK in 1906, and the Silver Ghost car launched the following year was soon hailed as 'the best car in the world.' Bentley Logo: The design uses smooth and simple lines, with gradients and outlines forming a pair of flying wings, resembling an eagle soaring high. The letter 'B' in the middle stands for the initial of Bentley's founder, Bentley, giving Bentley cars a royal and noble temperament while commemorating the designer.
In my years of studying the evolution of automobile brands, Bentley does not belong to Rolls-Royce. Although they once had a close historical connection—for instance, Rolls-Royce acquired Bentley in the 1930s, sharing technology platforms and design philosophies—the 1998 acquisitions and subsequent separation by BMW and Volkswagen changed everything. BMW took Rolls-Royce, while Volkswagen retained Bentley, splitting them into two independent luxury automotive branches. Bentley now belongs to the Volkswagen Group, focusing on sporty luxury cars like the Continental series, whereas Rolls-Royce, under BMW, pursues ultra-luxury models such as the Phantom. This separation has allowed each brand to develop distinct identities, avoiding competitive overlap. I recall reading in some old car magazines that this diversification benefits the industry, offering enthusiasts a broader range of choices.
