You might think £3 million is no money at all for a luxury car maker such as Bentley, but they had to go to the government for it to boost their R&D efforts.

This Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) will safeguard over 200 jobs and also create a small number of additional positions within the Company’s 900-strong engineering department. But more importantly it will help Bentley to develop a new powertrain application that expands their market overseas.

Bentley had received £1.68m before this to create additional manufacturing jobs and training.

The RGF grant will help Bentley develop new powertrains for future markets. Traditionally drawn towards four-door models such as the Mulsanne and the Continental Flying Spur, customers in emerging markets such as China are increasingly showing interest in the new two-door Continental GT and GTC. Although this is delivering significant sales growth, for that to continue – and the long term future of the Company be assured – Bentley has to look at new powertrains which anticipate changing demand.