Bentley SUV to create 1000 jobs

Company plans to invest £800m over next three years at Crewe HQ

More than 1,000 jobs are to be created by luxury car firm Bentley to help develop and produce a new Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).

The SUV will be the company's fourth model. It will be built at the firm's site in Crewe and will go on sale in 2016. Over the next three years Bentley will invest more than £800 million in its headquarters at Crewe for the development of new models.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who visited the factory, said: "One sector that we know is sprinting ahead in the global race is our booming automotive industry. One vehicle rolls off a production line somewhere in the UK every 20 seconds.

"I am delighted that Bentley will be building their new vehicle here, not only creating 1,000 jobs, but safeguarding many more, as well as increasing training opportunities for highly skilled apprentices."

Dr Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the board of Volkswagen Group, said: "The Volkswagen Group believes in the UK as a competitive location for industrial production. Together we will make this car a true Bentley - powerful, exclusive and successful."

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "This is a welcome commitment to the UK from a major international car-maker. Our automotive industrial strategy proves this Government's commitment to working with world-class companies like Bentley to create jobs and promote exports.

"Bentley was the first firm I visited as a Government minister and serves as a real example of high-value manufacturing. They export more than four out of every five cars they make in the UK to the rest of the world."