Is Bentley Owned by Geely?
3 Answers
Bentley is not owned by Geely, but by Volkswagen. Introduction to the Bentley Brand: In the early 20th century, during the initial stages of automotive development, Walter Owen Bentley drew inspiration from the racing circuit and conceived the idea of creating a car that emphasized performance and was lighter in weight. At a time when people's understanding of cars was limited to their function as transportation, this idea was avant-garde and unconventional, destined from the outset to make Bentley a product not meant for the "masses." Introduction to the Volkswagen Brand: The Volkswagen Group, also known as Volkswagen AG, was founded in 1938 and is headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. It is the largest automobile company in Europe and one of the most powerful multinational corporations in the global automotive industry. In 2004, the Volkswagen Group sold 5 million vehicles to consumers worldwide.
As a car owner who frequently follows the automotive industry, I'm quite clear about such ownership matters. Bentley is not under Geely; it actually belongs to the Volkswagen Group, a German giant that owns brands like Audi and Porsche. As for Geely, it's a Chinese automaker with brands such as Volvo and LEVC (London Electric Vehicle Company). Volkswagen acquired Bentley back in 1998, while Geely, despite its rapid expansion in recent years, has mainly focused on acquiring practical European brands rather than ultra-luxury vehicles. This distinction is important because ownership affects after-sales service and quality assurance. The international automotive industry often has restructuring rumors, but Bentley's positioning has remained stable. After years of driving, I've found that understanding brand backgrounds helps avoid confusion when purchasing cars.
As an average consumer, I always need to clarify brand relationships when choosing a car. Bentley is definitely not owned by Geely; Geely owns more accessible brands like Volvo and Lynk & Co, while Bentley is under the Volkswagen Group. Volkswagen is a multinational corporation that includes brands such as Škoda and Audi. Geely is strong in the Chinese market, but Bentley maintains its own luxury positioning. I remember rumors a few years ago about Geely acquiring Bentley, but that was pure speculation—the facts are clear. These distinctions affect vehicle performance and maintenance costs, so I recommend checking official sources before buying to avoid being misled by misinformation.