Bentley sees 22% sales growth in China

Bentley's sales in China saw record high in 2014 of 22 percent growth, with 2,670 cars delivered in total over the year, against the previous year of 2,191 cars, according to sales results announced in London on Wednesday.

This makes China Bentley's fastest growing market, and helps to close the gap between China and the Americas, Bentley's largest market with 3,186 cars delivered in 2014.

Wolfgang Durheimer, Bentley's chairman and CEO, said Bentley's fast growth in China is attributed to the Chinese customers' demand for luxury cars and Bentley's success in marketing the brand's luxury image in China. Durheimer said Bentley emphasizes both luxury and performance, which gives the company a unique advantage.

Bentley entered the Chinese market in 2002. According to Bentley's own statistics, the company has an approximately 35 percent share of China's super-luxury car market, which is a segment that includes the likes of Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz.

Globally, Bentley delivered 11,020 cars in 2014, a 9 percent growth from previous year. Bentley's four key markets are the Americas, China, Europe including the UK, and the Middle East.

Durheimer said one factor behind the company's continued growth in 2014 is the launch of new models. The Continental GT V8 S and GT Speed coupe and convertible and Flying Spur V8 all entered the market in 2014.

Bentley is currently working on delivering the world's first luxury SUV, which is expected to be launched later this year. Higher specifications of the Bentley SUV will be one of the most expensive Bentley vehicles, the company said.

Bentley's cars are made in the English Midlands town of Crewe, where it employs about 3,800 workers. The cars are exported whole to China and other international markets.

The British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has commended Bentley for its contribution to the British economy.

"Bentley is an iconic British brand that successfully exports around the world. I want Britain to be a country where companies want to invest, create high skilled jobs, and export, and so I am delighted that Bentley has had such a successful year on all these fronts," Osborne said.