Can a car with a base price of $215,000 ー just about the same price of the average home in the U.S. ー be considered a "starter sedan"? If it's a Bentley, maybe.
The British luxury automaker, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, is celebrating its 100th year with an update to its Flying Spur model, which recently debuted among the world's rich and famous in Monte Carlo. Back in the U.S., Bentley Motors CEO Christophe Georges is thinking about the future of the iconic motor company.
Georges told Cheddar that going electric is "essential" to the company's future. As part of the anniversary celebrations, Bentley is showing off a new prototype for its first all-electric sedan, dubbed the EXP 100. Georges said the first fully electric Bentley will be in showrooms by 2025, with plug-in hybrid models arriving in 2023. That's a pivot, of sort, from Bentley, which has been slow to adopt electrification given its high-end customer base that demands performance and is not so concerned with the cost of gas.
As a British company, thought, there is a more pressing issue at hand for Georges: Brexit. He said Bentley, like other UK-based firms, has worked diligently to prepare for all scenarios, including "the worst possible case, which would be a no-deal Brexit." Bentley has built a new warehouse that Georges said will help it maintain its supply chain even in the event of a "crash out," which seems less likely now that a tentative deal has been reached.
Georges also said that the trade war between the U.S. and China has not impacted Bentley's operations, and indeed the company's growth in China has been "substantial," with 1 in 5 luxury cars on Chinese roads now carrying the iconic Bentley hood emblem, he said.
Former Cisco Systems CEO John Chambers learned all about technology’s volatile highs and lows as a veteran of the internet’s early boom days during the late 1990s and the ensuing meltdown that followed the mania. And now he is seeing potential signs of the cycle repeating with another transformative technology in artificial intelligence. Chambers is trying take some of the lessons he learned while riding a wave that turned Cisco into the world's most valuable company in 2000 before a crash hammered its stock price and apply them as an investor in AI startups. He recently discussed AI's promise and perils during an interview with The Associated Press.
Grove Collaborative’s CEO shares how the company is reinventing everyday goods with sustainability at the core and working toward a plastic-free future.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens shares plans for affordable housing, community-led growth, and why private and public grocery stores could be key to food equity.
Tesla reported a surprise increase in sales in the third quarter as the electric car maker likely benefited from a rush by consumers to take advantage of a $7,500 credit before it expired on Sept. 30. The company reported Thursday that sales in the three months through September rose 7% compared to the same period a year ago. The gain follows two quarters of steep declines as people turned off by CEO Elon Musk’s foray into right-wing politics avoided buying his company’s cars and even protested at some dealerships. Sales rose to 497,099 vehicles, compared with 462,890 in the same period last year.
Tom’s Guide Editor-in-Chief Mark Spoonauer breaks down Apple & Amazon's latest product drops—what's hot, what's hype, and what really matters for users.
InnerPlant CEO Shely Aronov reveals how engineered crops like soybeans and corn emit signals when stressed—offering farmers early warnings to boost yields.
