What is the relationship between Rolls-Royce and Bentley?
3 Answers
Rolls-Royce and Bentley relationship: Both are German brands. Rolls-Royce and Bentley were initially produced in the same factory, later Rolls-Royce was acquired by German BMW while Bentley was acquired by German Volkswagen. Rolls-Royce is a luxury car manufacturer headquartered in the UK. Bentley is a luxury automobile manufacturer headquartered in Crewe, England. Taking the Rolls-Royce Phantom as an example, the standard version has body dimensions of 5834mm in length, 1990mm in width, and 1632mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3570mm. In terms of appearance, the Phantom's roofline blends with the sturdy C-pillar at the rear, adding a sense of stability to the vehicle. At the bottom of the car, another arc that runs from rear to front and subtly rises complements the gently descending roofline.
I remember the relationship between Rolls-Royce and Bentley is quite complicated. Initially, both were iconic British luxury car brands, but Bentley was acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1931, becoming two brands under one company. Back then, they shared many technical platforms, such as engines and chassis designs, which is quite common in the automotive industry. By the 1990s, the company faced another split, and in 1998, Volkswagen took over Bentley while BMW secured Rolls-Royce. Today, they are direct competitors, but if you look at their newer models, like the Rolls-Royce Ghost and the Bentley Flying Spur, you can still see some shared heritage—both emphasize exquisite craftsmanship and hand-built quality. However, their brand positioning has shifted: Rolls-Royce leans more toward artistry and opulence, while Bentley focuses on sportiness, offering completely different driving experiences. I think this evolution reflects the consolidation history of the automotive industry, and old car enthusiasts love to chat about these anecdotes at gatherings—it’s quite fascinating. In the long run, this is also why high-end car brands strive to maintain their uniqueness to avoid being overshadowed by the market.
As a long-time auto mechanic, I'm quite familiar with the technical connections between Rolls-Royce and Bentley. They were originally one company, and during Rolls-Royce's management, Bentley often directly adopted Rolls-Royce's engine designs, such as the classic V8 platform, which made repairs easier. After being split by Volkswagen and BMW, although their engineering diverged, the core components of early vehicles remained interchangeable. Nowadays, when repairing these two brands, I've noticed fewer compatible parts, but their design philosophies remain similar—both emphasize reliability plus luxury experience. Historically, they shared chassis and drivetrain stages, which reduced production costs. After Volkswagen took over Bentley, they switched to in-house developed engines, while BMW also developed its own distinctive technology. However, their target demographics still cater to high-end clients, with both pursuing ultimate performance and innovation in technology, such as air suspension and adaptive control. Understanding this background makes problem diagnosis easier during repairs, like dealing with electrical system failures that share similar approaches. I truly wish newer cars had fewer complex electronic systems to avoid skyrocketing repair costs.
