Bentley Motors Confirms 275 Job Losses at Crewe Factory
Workers at luxury car maker Bentley have been left stunned after the company confirmed its intention to cut hundreds of jobs at its Crewe factory. Union officials described the cuts as having come out of the blue, citing contributing factors such as Trump's tariffs and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Profitability Amid Job Cuts
Despite recording an operating profit of £186 million in 2025 and achieving a seventh consecutive year of profitability, Bentley Motors plans to cut 275 roles, which equates to approximately 6% of its workforce. This reduction will be achieved through a combination of up to 150 staff redundancies and not filling vacant positions.
Union Response and Economic Factors
The GMB union highlighted that Bentley has experienced a 40% year-on-year drop in profits. GMB organiser Karen Lewis stated, These cuts have come out of the blue and the workforce is stunned. Trump's tariffs have hit Bentley hard, and the company is still feeling the effects of the COVID lockdown. The union has pledged to support members to ensure minimal redundancies and maximum payouts.
Bentley's Commitment to Crewe and Future Plans
Bentley emphasized its strong commitment to UK manufacturing, particularly at its Pyms Lane site in Crewe. The company confirmed ongoing work to transform the factory, including converting the site's oldest building into a future electric vehicle assembly line. A spokesperson said, Bentley has delivered a seventh consecutive year of profitability while continuing to invest significantly in the transformation of our Pyms Lane site for the next generation of Bentley vehicles, including our first fully electric model.
The spokesperson added, As part of ensuring the business remains competitive and prepared for the future, we have begun a consultation programme covering management, agency, and non-manufacturing roles, which could result in up to 275 positions being removed. These are difficult decisions, and our priority is to support any colleagues who may be affected throughout the consultation process. Bentley remains strongly committed to Crewe and continues to invest in the long-term future of luxury car manufacturing at our Pyms Lane site.
