Bentley Motors Chairman & CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser Talks the New Bentley Supersports

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Bentley Motors Chairman & CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser Talks the New Bentley Supersports"

Podcast: Bloomberg Talks
Host: Bloomberg (with luxury correspondent Hannah Elliott)
Guest: Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman & CEO, Bentley Motors
Date: November 14, 2025

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode spotlights the global debut of Bentley’s new Supersports model and features an in-depth discussion with recently appointed Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser. The conversation explores the strategic direction of Bentley under Walliser’s leadership, the company’s commitment to both internal combustion and electric vehicles, and how Bentley navigates modern challenges in luxury automotive manufacturing.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bentley’s New Supersports: A Return to Driver-Focused Roots

• Start of Walliser’s Influence:
  • Hannah Elliott and the hosts discuss how this is the first Bentley with Walliser’s fingerprints after his tenure at Porsche.
  • Walliser recounts that the idea for a more extreme, driver-focused Continental started “honestly at day two” in his role ([03:07]).

    “There was the idea around what can we do on Continental… But make it please as extreme as possible… But the interesting thing for me was in Bentley it was always there, I just really had to ignite it.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([03:13])

• Bentley’s Identity:
  • Walliser highlights the Bentley Drivers Club and insists “the thrill of driving is a core of our brand and DNA” ([02:05]).

    “Bentley is and was always the driver’s brand...” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([02:05])

2. Balancing Internal Combustion and Electric Futures

• Non-Hybrid V8 Supersports:
  • There’s deliberate emphasis on launching a gas-only, rear-wheel-drive car as a statement.
• Upcoming Electric Vehicles:
  • Walliser confirms a broader product strategy.

    “One of our next announcements will be the next Bentley… And yes, it will be electric. So customers… have the choice between plug-in hybrids, pure ICE engines, and an electric car. And also the electric car will be a driver's car.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([04:29])

• Tech as Part of Luxury:
  • The team discusses how luxury brands must blend tradition with the latest technology without losing their exclusive appeal.

    “We see some… tech players, but they are tech offers, they are not luxury brand. And I think that's a difference is sometimes mixed up.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([05:42])

3. Luxury Identity in a Tech-Driven Market

• Defining Luxury Beyond Technology:
  • Walliser: “Luxury comes with many aspects. One is… engineering, the craftsmanship behind it… And that's a sweet spot in the market. And tech gets more and more important, but it has not to be mixed up with that.” ([05:30])
• Differentiation from Tech Car Brands:
  • Stresses that competitors offering tech-forward cars are not necessarily luxury, drawing a line between Bentley’s approach and others like Chinese or U.S. tech entrants.

4. Labor Force and Manufacturing Challenges

• Bentley’s Appeal as an Employer:
  • On filling jobs in the UK amid industry-wide shortages:

    “We are in a very good position… we are recognized as one of the top employers in the UK. We have a lot of people that [are] working there, second and third generation… So high loyalty of our workforce.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([07:03])

• Talent Retention:
  • Strong family tradition and employer reputation keep Bentley less affected by broader labor shortages.

5. Supply Chain & Trade Challenges

• Semiconductor Shortages:
  • Walliser explains how the Volkswagen Group’s post-COVID reforms let Bentley avoid disruptions, via quick reactions and priority access:

    “Within hours we knew which cars, which factory, which parts, and then you could immediately respond. It was less complex semiconductors, so you could work around. And so far we managed everything.” ([08:17])

• Rare Earths and Engineering:
  • Some engineering choices reduce dependency, but not all can be easily engineered out ([08:17]).
• Foreign Tariffs & U.S. Market:
  • Tariffs have minor impact due to strong US-UK agreements, but market uncertainty and macro conditions matter more.

    “UK and US have a very, very good tariff agreement... but the market is not as good as it used to be. I think it needs a little bit more stability again in the US.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([10:11])

6. Macroeconomic Sentiment

• Interest Rate Cuts:
  • When prompted if rate cuts affect Bentley’s business, Walliser responds:

    “Yeah, we will see. At the moment. It's, it's a lot about the sentiment. All right, I'm in good mood. It will come back and yeah, it'll work.” ([11:11])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Bentley is and was always the driver’s brand. Our club of fans is called Bentley’s Drivers Club.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([02:05])
• “I joined Bentley...and there was the idea around what can we do on Continental… But make it please as extreme as possible.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([03:07])
• “Yes, it will be electric. And also the electric car will be a driver's car.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([04:29])
• “Tech players are not luxury brand. And I think that's a difference is sometimes mixed up.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([05:42])
• “We are recognized as one of the top employers in the UK...We have a lot of people that [are] working there, second and third generation.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([07:03])
• “Within hours we knew which cars, which factory, which parts, and then you could immediately respond.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([08:17])
• “UK and US have a very, very good tariff agreement...but the market is not as good as it used to be.” – Frank-Steffen Walliser ([10:11])

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:05] – Walliser on the return to Bentley’s driver car roots
• [03:07] – Discussing the first product under his leadership
• [04:28] – On balancing electric and internal combustion futures
• [05:30] – Defining luxury amidst the rise of tech
• [07:03] – Attracting and retaining skilled labor in the UK
• [08:17] – Handling semiconductor and supply chain crises
• [10:11] – Effects of tariffs and market outlook
• [11:11] – The influence of economic sentiment and rates

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Tone & Style

The tone throughout is conversational and passionate, with Walliser providing candid insights into Bentley’s philosophy and operational challenges. The hosts maintain a blend of automotive enthusiasm (“boy racer excitement”) with incisive industry questioning, keeping the discussion lively and insightful.

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Summary prepared by Bloomberg Talks Podcast Summarizer

Transcript

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Bloomberg Audio Studios Podcasts Radio.

[Bloomberg Host]

News All right, let's bring in Bloomberg's Hannah Elliott, our luxury correspondent normally on the left coast. And she is also my co host on the podcast Bloomberg Hot Pursuit. Fresh off the global debut of Bentley's brand new super sports. And this thing is a shocker. It's lighter, it's louder, it's rear wheel drive gas. Only a bruiser from a company that has been adding weight, all wheel drive and leaning into electrification. So, Hannah, last night, what did Bentley just unleash?

[Bloomberg Co-host]

This is a big tease about what we can expect to see more from Bentley, I think. Of course, it's been about a year since Frank Walliser, the CEO joined the company. As you know, Frank came from Porsche Porsche Motorsport where he was the mastermind behind a lot of race wins. This is the first car that really has Frank's thumbprint on it. It's a big indicator that Bentley is doubling down. It's going to get a lot more boy racer, I think.

[Bloomberg Host]

I'm excited as a boy racer myself, I'm very exc. Excited about that. The man behind the madness is with him. Frank Steffen Walliser is Bentley's relatively new CEO. He's been on the job a little over a year after a storied run at Porsche where he didn't just win races, but he developed the 918 Spyder supercar, which is one that we were looking at in the editorial meeting yesterday and all sort of in awe of. He joins us on set. Hannah, dragged you in here after the debut. So thanks so much for joining us. What is happening? Are you bringing Bentley back to its driver car roots?

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

Yeah, definitely. I think that describes it pretty well. Bentley is and was always the driver's brand and I'm joking a little bit because our club of fans is called Bentley's Drivers club. So yeah, to underline this and needs the right product for it and we feel it's, it's really beneficial for our brand if you can drive it. And the thrill of driving is a core of our brand and of our DNA. And it was for many, many years. And we said, yeah, let's make the products that even underline it more and we had some fun by putting this car together and developing it and bringing it to life.

[Bloomberg Host]

I remember when Hannah last year at some point did a story where she went out driving with you in the Continental GT Speed, right? And I remember saying like, everybody is watching Frank now and they're going to wait for the first car that he develops. Because of your track record at Porsche, right? Is this the first vehicle that has your, your imprint on it?

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

Yeah, yeah, definitely. Well, the story started honestly at day two when I, when I joined Bentley and we had what we call the Product Roundtable. That is an, I would say of official meetings, gathering of engineers, sales, marketing, design, finance. And we talk new ideas in an open space, normally in the evening, takes sometimes hours and it's very open. And this was the second day and I joined it and there was the idea around what can we do on Continental and said, yeah, let's go for it, but make it please, as extreme as possible. And I brought a little bit of my experience in. But the interesting thing for me was in Bentley it was always there, I just really had to ignite it. And then people immediately know what to do and what to go for. And they, they really went above and beyond. Timing wise, content wise, what's possible, engineering capabilities, really great through the whole company. So it really defined not only a new car but also a new spirit in the company.

[Bloomberg Co-host]

Frank, I know we've made so much about this is a V8 and especially that this is a non hybrid vehicle. But I also know you guys have some electric vehicles in the pipeline as well. So what's the balance at Bentley going to look like between EVs and then internal combustion in the future?

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

Well, looking, looking at regulation, looking at how the market splits up, I think it's, it's even more important than it was in the past to offer a balanced portfolio. So I'm very proud. And one of our next announcements will be the next Bentley. So we add another car. What is, what is in general, great news. And yes, it will be electric. And so customers of Bentley have the choice between plug in hybrids, pure ice engines and an electric car. And also the electric car will be a driver's car. Beautiful designed, tech wise on the next generation. So a big choice for our customers and I'm sure it will bring customers to the Bentley brand that would have never considered us.

[Bloomberg Co-host]

You know, I'm really curious about that. As we move deeper into tech, how does Bentley still define luxury in this space? Where you're going, we're going racing seems like, and we're doing tech. Where does luxury fit into that?

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

I think luxury comes with many aspects. One is it's definitely the engineering, the craftsmanship behind it, what we can offer. And this is maybe also a sweet spot for supersports because it offers you really the thrill of driving. And I had the chance to drive the car on racetracks in Spain. Makes really a difference if you drive that car. But it comes with all the craftsmanship with the leather, with, with the quality, with a Bentley, with the reliability of a Bentley. And that's a sweet spot in the market. And tech gets more and more important, but it has not to be mixed up with that. And we see some especially Chinese but also US tech players, but they are tech offers, they are not luxury brand. And I think that's a difference is sometimes mixed up. And we have even a very clear position on the luxury side. Sporty interpretation of the luxury side. But we will not chase down our colleagues from, from Porsche or Lamborghini for lap times. We in a different league.

[Bloomberg Interviewer]

Frankie grown up, I love that. So you've also had to relocate to England where the bulk of the Bentleys are being assemble. There were comments from the Ford CEO saying that he had thousands of mechanic job opens that they couldn't fill. Obviously a very different offering for the people who are going to be working on a Bentley versus a Ford in a different region, America versus England. But how difficult is it in this very moment where the UK is facing some of those pressures too of getting the skilled labor that you need to assemble these cars.

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

We are in a very good position. We are, we are recognized as one of the top employers in the uk. We are still very attractive. I think the offer, the packages we have for our employees, for our workforce is really attractive. We have a lot of people that working there, second and third generation. So it's very clear for family members, they work in Bentley and so high loyalty of our workforce. And I think this brings us in a good position for sure. You're also part of to get the best talents then on the tech side, engineering side in the country. But at the moment I would say it's not, it's not really a problem. We are well positioned and works, works pretty well.

[Bloomberg Host]

What about the, the rare earths and the, you know, the microchips. Ever since the supply chain debacle, the COVID crisis and now the trade war with China. I was asking Mark Royce of General Motors, obviously a very different carmaker, but same semiconductors. Well, exactly. So he, he was saying what they really try and do, among other things, is engineer some of that stuff out so that they aren't reliant on it. Is it the same at Bentley, at Porsche and the Volkswagen Group?

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

It's. Well, it's considered to be in the Volkswagen Group. Partly you can engineer it out rare earth. But not everything comes with an advantage. So you have to balance it on the semiconductor side, for sure. Volkswagen has a big network and after the post Covid semiconductor crisis, a lot of processes within the Volkswagen Group have been set up to respond to such a situation. And this is what now happened. And in comparison to the last chip supply shortage, and now it was politically because someone said no and then it stops immediately. It was not a factory or a shortage of any pre material, but the processes that have been set up brought us in a position to within hours we knew which cars, which factory, which parts, and then you could immediately respond. It was less complex semiconductors, so you could work around. And so far we managed everything. So we have no shortage, we have no impact on manufacturing. And it looks like it's sorted now with supply, is coming back again. So it just showed also how resilient Volkswagen in total was. And for sure in the Volkswagen Group there's a high likeability that if there is a semiconductor available, Bentley will get it just on the contribution of our car.

[Bloomberg Host]

Of course, of course. I wonder about the effect of tariffs because I've noticed kind of a split among luxury carmakers when I talk to Benedetto Vigna. Okay, it doesn't matter so much to Ferrari buyers. The same is true when we talk with Steven Winkleman at Lamborghini. Although, you know, they are going to have to raise prices and it's maybe a little more sensitive. Meanwhile, at Aston Martin, it's a real problem, right? Maybe because their prices are too high to begin with. But what is it like for Bentley buyers and how are you dealing with passing those prices on?

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

It's well, we, we, we looked and you, you react on your pricing side every model year, what we did with the 26 model year. And I think we can, we can deal it at the moment, but I would consider in general, the market conditions are have the bigger impact than the tariff impact. UK and US have a very, very good tariff agreement. So there's no complaints. It's the best in the world. To be clear, it's seven and a half more. So it's ten in total. It used to be two and a half, so. So it's seven and a half more. Definitely something we can handle. We don't see really an impact on it, but the market is not as, yeah, as good as it used to be. I think it needs a little bit more stability again in the US And a little bit better outlook. You just talked on the development of the stock market. That does not help.

[Bloomberg Host]

But do rate cuts matter to Bentley?

[Frank Steffen Walliser]

Huh? Yeah, we will see. At the moment. It's, it's a lot about the sentiment. All right, I'm in good mood. It will come back and yeah, it'll work.

[Bloomberg Host]

Yeah, everything's going to be okay. Yes, Frank, Stefan Wallacer there, the CEO of Bentley, along with my co host on Bloomberg, Hot Pursuit, Hannah Elliott. For all things autos, listen to Hot Pursuit, which can be found wherever you get your podcasts. And after this show, we're going to take Frank into the studio and we're going to sit him down and talk to him about all things and it's going to be fantastic.

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