Who Owns Bentley?
Bentley is owned by Volkswagen Group, a German multinational automotive conglomerate. Bentley was founded in 1919 by W.O. Bentley in London, England. Volkswagen Group acquired Bentley in 1998 and has owned it since then, making it part of the luxury brand portfolio alongside Lamborghini and Bugatti.
Parent Company
Volkswagen Group
Acquired
1998
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Crewe, England
Who Owns Bentley?
- Parent Company: Volkswagen Group
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1998
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: Frankfurt Stock Exchange: VOW3
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley | Volkswagen Group | Wholly owned |
History of Bentley
- Founded: 1919
- Founders: W.O. Bentley
- Acquired by Volkswagen Group: 1998
Bentley Motors was founded on July 10, 1919, by Walter Owen Bentley (W.O. Bentley) in Cricklewood, North London. W.O. Bentley was an engineer and racing enthusiast who envisioned creating high-performance luxury automobiles that combined speed with elegance.
The brand gained international recognition when Bentley racing cars won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930, establishing Bentley's reputation for performance and reliability. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Bentley produced some of the most sought-after luxury cars in the world, known for their powerful engines and meticulous craftsmanship. The "Bentley Boys," a group of wealthy racing drivers who competed in Bentley cars during this era, became legendary figures in motorsport history.
Bentley was acquired by Rolls-Royce in 1931 during a period of financial difficulty, and the two brands operated under common ownership for decades. In 1998, Volkswagen Group acquired Bentley from Vickers plc in a complex transaction that also involved Rolls-Royce. BMW ultimately acquired the rights to the Rolls-Royce name and trademark for automobiles, while Volkswagen Group retained Bentley and the Crewe manufacturing facility. Under Volkswagen Group ownership, Bentley has modernized its operations, expanded its product lineup, and grown its global sales significantly while maintaining its commitment to handcrafted luxury and British heritage.
About Volkswagen Group
What does Volkswagen Group own?
Volkswagen Group owns twelve automotive and commercial vehicle brands: Volkswagen, Skoda, SEAT, CUPRA, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The group also owns Ducati, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer. Porsche AG is a separately listed subsidiary in which Volkswagen AG retains a 75% stake.
Is Volkswagen Group publicly traded?
Yes, Volkswagen AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange with ordinary shares (VOW) and preferred shares (VOW3). Despite being publicly listed, effective voting control rests with Porsche Automobil Holding SE, the Porsche and Piech family holding company, which holds approximately 53% of ordinary shares. The State of Lower Saxony holds approximately 20% of ordinary shares and has a statutory blocking minority.
Who founded Volkswagen?
Volkswagen was founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front, a Nazi-era organization, with Ferdinand Porsche as chief engineer. The original purpose was to produce an affordable people's car for German workers. After World War II, the factory was transferred to the West German government. The modern Volkswagen Group was built through decades of acquisitions under subsequent management, particularly under Ferdinand Piech's leadership in the 1990s and 2000s.
Where is Volkswagen Group headquartered?
Volkswagen Group is headquartered in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Wolfsburg was founded as a purpose-built city to house the Volkswagen factory and workers in 1938. The city's economy remains closely tied to Volkswagen. The group also maintains significant administrative operations in other German cities and operates manufacturing facilities in more than 20 countries.
How many brands does Volkswagen Group own?
Volkswagen Group owns twelve automotive and commercial vehicle brands: Volkswagen, Skoda, SEAT, CUPRA, Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, plus Ducati motorcycles. The group sold approximately 9 million vehicles globally in 2024 across these brands.
Who owns Volkswagen Group?
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, the Porsche and Piech family holding company, holds approximately 53% of Volkswagen AG's ordinary shares and therefore effective voting control. The State of Lower Saxony holds approximately 20% of ordinary shares and has a statutory blocking minority under the VW Law. The remaining shares are held by institutional investors and public shareholders. Qatar Investment Authority is also a significant shareholder.
- Founded: 1937
- Headquarters: Wolfsburg, Germany
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: Frankfurt Stock Exchange: VOW3
Where Is Bentley Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Crewe, England
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, Germany
Brands Owned by Volkswagen Group
- Audi - German luxury automobile manufacturer known for its advanced technology, quattro...
- Bugatti - French luxury hypercar manufacturer known for ultra-exclusive high-performance v...
- Cupra - Spanish performance car brand owned by Volkswagen Group through SEAT, producing ...
- Ducati - Italian motorcycle manufacturer owned by Volkswagen Group, known for high-perfor...
- Lamborghini - Italian luxury sports car manufacturer owned by Volkswagen Group, known for exot...
- Porsche - German luxury sports car manufacturer owned by Volkswagen Group, known for high-...
- SEAT - Spanish automobile manufacturer owned by Volkswagen Group, known for affordable ...
- Škoda - Czech automobile manufacturer owned by Volkswagen Group, delivering a record 1,0...
- Volkswagen - German automobile manufacturer and flagship brand of Volkswagen Group, which pos...
Bentley Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Access to Volkswagen Group's advanced technology platforms and R&D capabilities
- +Financial resources for continued innovation and product development
- +Shared engineering expertise with Audi and Porsche
- +Global distribution network and manufacturing scale
- +Strong brand heritage and customer loyalty
- +Access to cutting-edge electric and hybrid technology
Considerations
- -Dependence on Volkswagen Group's strategic decisions
- -Need to maintain ultra-luxury positioning while sharing platforms
- -Integration challenges with larger corporate structure
- -Regulatory pressures regarding emissions and sustainability
- -Competition from other ultra-luxury automobile manufacturers
- -Balance between brand independence and corporate synergies
Frequently Asked Questions About Bentley
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchasesCompetitors to Bentley
No direct competitors found in the same category. This could be because Bentleyoperates in a unique market segment or we're still building our competitor database.
Volkswagen Group Stock Information
Jobs at Volkswagen Group
Latest News About Bentley
Related Articles About Bentley
View more articlesThe Automotive Brand Family Tree: Who Owns Every Car Brand in 2026
Toyota, Lexus, Jeep, Maserati, Porsche, Lamborghini. The car industry is a web of corporate ownership. This guide maps every major auto brand to its parent company.
The Most Surprising Brand Ownerships That Will Change How You Shop
You think you know who makes your favorite products. But some brand ownership connections are genuinely shocking. Here are the most surprising brand ownerships we have found.
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Automotive category and related searches from other users.

Abarth
Iconic Italian high-performance automotive brand specializing in sporty variants of Fiat vehicles, known for its racing heritage, distinctive scorpion logo, and recent expansion into electrified performance models.

Acura
Japanese luxury vehicle brand owned by Honda Motor Company, specializing in premium automobiles.

Alfa Romeo
Italian luxury sports car manufacturer owned by Stellantis, known for performance and design heritage.