At least 150 jobs are set to go at luxury carmaker Bentley, the firm has confirmed, with as many as 275 jobs potentially at risk as a slowdown in EV sales, Donald Trump’s import tariffs and rising costs take their toll at the Cheshire luxury car brand.
The news comes as the company announced its financial results for 2025, marking a seventh consecutive year of profitability.
The company, which makes its cars in Crewe, said that, while investment continued at its Pyms Lane site for new electric models as part of its ongoing electrification strategy, 275 jobs were at risk as part of “overall efficiency activities”.
The cuts would affect management, agency and non-manufacturing employees, the firm said.
“We are investing at unprecedented levels in the Pyms Lane site, including the Design Centre, opened in July last year, the near completion of the A1 building for BEV production, and the upcoming opening of the new Paint Shop later this year,” said CEO and chairman Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser.
“At the same time, we are making some difficult decisions to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the business, including an organisational adjustment potentially impacting approximately 275 positions.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to those affected – we are committed to supporting each individual with care, guidance and assistance throughout this transition,” he added.
Several electric models are planned by 2030 with the firm announcing in 2022 a £2.5bn investment at its Crewe plant as it moved towards electrification.
Its Design Centre, which opened last year, consolidated design and innovation work while work has continued on making the factory carbon neutral with a battery powered electric vehicle assembly line “nearing completion”, the firm said.
The company reported an operating profit of £186m (€216m) and revenue of £2.25bn (€2.6bn) last year, while adding that customer deliveries declined by five per cent during the year, driven largely by continued market contraction, particularly in China.
Axel Dewitz, board member for finance and IT, added that the firm showed strong underlying financial performance despite challenging external factors, including additional pressure from US tariffs.
“These results give us confidence that Bentley’s financial foundation is solid, [while] highlighting the need to continue to invest in our future product portfolio and site transformation.”
Karen Lewis, GMB Union Organiser, said: “These cuts have come out of the blue and the workforce is stunned. Trump’s tariff’s have hit Bentley hard and the company is still feeling the affects of the covid lockdown. GMB will stand side by side with members in Bentley to ensure the minimum redundancies and the maximum pay outs.”
