Bentley finds a new home in India under Škoda Auto Volkswagen’s luxury umbrella

Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Ltd. (SAVWIPL) will take over the import, distribution, and servicing of Bentley vehicles in India starting July 1, 2025. The company announced that Bentley will be the sixth brand under its local portfolio, which already includes Škoda, Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini, and Porsche.

“India’s appetite for uncompromising luxury is growing rapidly. Additionally, Abbey’s deep understanding of the Indian market makes him the ideal leader to steer Bentley India toward new milestones,” said Piyush Arora, Managing Director and CEO of SAVWIPL, in a statement.

As part of the shift, a dedicated group entity named Bentley India has been set up to manage all aspects of the British luxury brand’s operations, including marketing, sales, and after-sales. Abbey Thomas has been appointed Brand Director of Bentley India and will lead the local rollout and expansion.

Initial retail operations will begin with dealer partners in Mumbai and Bengaluru, with a third outlet planned in New Delhi. These dealerships will cater to Bentley’s niche ultra-luxury customer base in India.

The move signals a consolidation of the Volkswagen Group’s luxury offerings under one operational structure in India. It also comes amid rising demand for premium vehicles among the country’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs).

“The ever-growing UHNI segment in India will benefit from this new association, and we, along with our new dealer partners, will ensure the best of luxury and performance for our customers,” said Jan Bures, Executive Director, Sales, Marketing, and Digital at SAVWIPL, in a statement.

Bentley has been present in India’s automotive market for over 20 years through various import and distribution arrangements. The new structure under SAVWIPL aims to formalise and strengthen its local presence, with more direct control over customer experience and dealership operations.

SAVWIPL, headquartered in Pune, operates two manufacturing facilities in the country—at Chakan and Shendra. However, Bentley vehicles will continue to be imported as completely built units (CBUs) and will not be locally assembled.

By adding Bentley to its portfolio, SAVWIPL now covers a wide spectrum of automotive offerings in India, from mass-market to high-end luxury and performance brands. The group’s existing operations span both internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) models.