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| Luxury carmaker Bentley sees sales rise 37% in 2011 | Luxury carmaker Bentley sees sales rise 37% in 2011 |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Luxury carmaker Bentley has reported a 37% rise in sales in 2011, saying demand has returned to pre-recession levels. | |
| The Crewe-based firm sold 7,003 cars, whose prices start at £133,000 ($208,000), in the year to December 31. | |
| The US continues to be Bentley's number one market with 2,021 cars sold in 2011, an increase of 32%. | The US continues to be Bentley's number one market with 2,021 cars sold in 2011, an increase of 32%. |
| However, China took second spot with sales almost doubling to 1,839, surpassing the previous year's record. | However, China took second spot with sales almost doubling to 1,839, surpassing the previous year's record. |
| Bentley's chairman and chief executive, Wolfgang Duerheimer, said: "It has been particularly pleasing to see renewed interest in Bentley in established as well as in new and emerging markets, all of which is contributing to a positive financial result for 2011. | |
| "We want that success to continue and, with a new Continental V8 model set to attract new customers in 2012, have ambitious but realistic plans which reflect global economic conditions." | "We want that success to continue and, with a new Continental V8 model set to attract new customers in 2012, have ambitious but realistic plans which reflect global economic conditions." |
| Sales of cars in December rose 69% to 1,059, compared to the same month in 2010. | Sales of cars in December rose 69% to 1,059, compared to the same month in 2010. |
| The month's figures were boosted by the first deliveries of the new Continental GTC model, which was launched to the public in October. | The month's figures were boosted by the first deliveries of the new Continental GTC model, which was launched to the public in October. |
| December's figures were the best since Bentley's record year of 2007 and the second best month in its history. | December's figures were the best since Bentley's record year of 2007 and the second best month in its history. |
| However, the firm is still negotiating with unions over an ongoing pay dispute. | However, the firm is still negotiating with unions over an ongoing pay dispute. |
| In December, staff at the Bentley factory in Crewe rejected a two-year pay deal. | In December, staff at the Bentley factory in Crewe rejected a two-year pay deal. |
| The Unite union had recommended the 2,700 workers accepted the offer of a 4% rise for the first year and 3% in the next. | The Unite union had recommended the 2,700 workers accepted the offer of a 4% rise for the first year and 3% in the next. |