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The two "Bentley Boys" behind the resurgence of the classic marque in South Africa are non other than Pearl executives Piet Rademeyer and Dawie de Klerk - the duo which brought MG and Rover cars backs to this country.
Bentleys will be sold from the upmarket MG-Rover showrooms in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban, but will have their own unique identification in those showrooms.
Rademeyer, MD of Pearl, said a special approach would be undertaken by the company to ensure excellence in sales and aftersales.
"Bentley South Africa will give customers the very highest service levels and will create a one-on-one relationship with each owner," he said.
Staff was currently being trained at the Bentley headquarters in Crewe, England, and the customer interface will be handled by automotive aficionado Stuart Bromfield.
"Stuart is a Bentley owner and enthusiast, and he will effectively become 'Mr Bentley' in South Africa, making sure that we deliver the type of buying experience to which this kind of person is accustomed," says Rademeyer.
Obvious candidate
Ian Gorsuch, Bentley Motors? regional director responsible for the Middle East, Africa and India, says Pearl Automotive was an obvious candidate to handle the brand locally.
"We wanted a partner capable of meeting our exacting standards, with solid financial backing, and the necessary infrastructure and skills to service and support the brand," he said.
Initially just two Bentley models will be available here, the Bentley Arnage R and the Arnage T, but it was hoped that the new Bentley Continental GT, just unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, will come here later.
The current Bentley "car park" in South Africa is estimated at around 600. Rademeyer says he expects to increase this at the rate of nine cars a year in the initial stages.
Prices of the two Arnage models will be announced at their official launch at the Auto Africa Expo in Johannesburg next month.
