Who Owns Bentley and Rolls-Royce? The Surprising Split

The relationship between Rolls-Royce and Bentley is one of the most complex in automotive history. For sixty-seven years, from 1931 until 1998, the two legendary British marques were effectively the same company. They were built in the same factory in Crewe, shared the same platforms, used the same engines, and differed primarily in their front grilles and brand badges. However, the late 1990s witnessed a corporate battle that split the two brands forever, putting them under the control of two rival German automotive giants: Volkswagen and BMW. For luxury car enthusiasts in Dubai, where both brands dominate the streets of Downtown Dubai and Palm Jumeirah, understanding this split is key to appreciating their distinct characters today. The story of their separation is a masterclass in trademark law, corporate maneuvering, and brand strategy, resulting in a division that saved both marques from obsolescence.

In 1997, the British industrial conglomerate Vickers PLC decided to sell Rolls-Royce Motors, which included both the Rolls-Royce and Bentley brands. BMW was the logical buyer. The Bavarian company was already supplying V12 engines for the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph and twin-turbo V8 engines for the Bentley Arnage, and it had a close working relationship with Vickers. BMW made an initial offer of £340 million, which seemed destined to succeed. However, the Volkswagen Group, led by its ambitious chairman Ferdinand Piëch, intervened with a massive bid of £430 million, outbidding BMW by a substantial margin. Vickers accepted the VW offer, believing that the battle was won and that Volkswagen would take control of both legendary British marques, including the historic Crewe manufacturing plant. Yet, this was only the first chapter in a corporate drama that would soon take a highly unexpected turn.

While Volkswagen had successfully purchased the physical assets—including the Crewe factory, the vehicle designs, and the rights to the Bentley brand—they had failed to secure the most critical component: the Rolls-Royce trademark and logo. The rights to the Rolls-Royce name and the famous 'RR' logo were actually owned by Rolls-Royce PLC, the separate aerospace engine company that had been split from the automotive division in 1971. The aerospace company held the rights to the trademark and had a joint venture with BMW in aircraft engines. Instead of licensing the name to Volkswagen, Rolls-Royce PLC decided to license the Rolls-Royce automotive name and logo to BMW for £40 million, a fraction of the price VW had paid. This created an extraordinary stalemate: Volkswagen owned the factory and the design of the cars, but did not have the right to put a Rolls-Royce badge on them. BMW owned the Rolls-Royce name and logo, but had no factory, no designs, and no engines to put them in.

Recognizing the absurdity of the situation, the two German manufacturers entered negotiations to find a logical solution. A deal was struck in 1998: Volkswagen would keep the Crewe factory and the Bentley brand, allowing them to focus on developing Bentley into a high-volume luxury manufacturer. BMW would take complete control of the Rolls-Royce brand on January 1, 2003. This transitional period allowed BMW to design a completely new flagship vehicle, the Phantom VII, and build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and headquarters in Goodwood, England. The Goodwood facility was designed by architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw to blend seamlessly into the English countryside, reflecting the brand's commitment to quietness and environmental harmony. This arrangement allowed both marques to develop independent identities, with Bentley focusing on performance-oriented luxury, while Rolls-Royce remained the absolute pinnacle of passenger comfort.

Today, the split is recognized as a brilliant success for both brands. Under Volkswagen's ownership, Bentley modernized its lineup, introducing the Continental GT and the Bentayga SUV, which significantly increased sales while retaining the brand's sporty heritage. Under BMW's stewardship, Rolls-Royce remained highly exclusive, focused on bespoke luxury and hand-built assembly at Goodwood. The introduction of the Ghost, the Cullinan SUV, and the all-electric Spectre demonstrated BMW's ability to integrate modern technology without diluting the brand's unique identity. In Dubai, the choice between these two marques represents a choice of personal style. A Bentley is often chosen by those who prefer to drive themselves, enjoying the muscular performance and athletic dynamics. A Rolls-Royce, with its Planar suspension and silent V12 engine, remains the ultimate vehicle for chauffeured travel, offering an isolated cabin that filters out the busy energy of the city. Read more about these dynamics in our cost analysis.

The financial and operational differences between the marques are reflected in their rental rates. Renting a Bentley in Dubai is highly accessible, with daily rates for models like the Flying Spur starting at roughly AED 2,000. Renting a Rolls-Royce represents a higher tier of luxury investment, with the Ghost starting at AED 3,800 and the flagship Phantom at AED 5,800. This pricing reflects the hand-built assembly and the extreme soundproofing of the Goodwood cars. For clients arriving at DXB Airport or attending high-profile events in Downtown Dubai, selecting the correct brand is a matter of matching the vehicle to the specific requirements of the itinerary. Our team offers transparent terms on our pricing page, ensuring you receive the exact vehicle you reserved.

Had either Volkswagen or BMW succeeded in buying both brands together, it is highly likely that one marque would have been neglected. Under the joint corporate roof of Vickers, the two brands had become virtually indistinguishable, with Bentleys being referred to by enthusiasts as 'Rolls-Royces with a different radiator grille.' The separation forced both German parent companies to invest billions of dollars in developing distinct platforms, design languages, and engineering philosophies. VW pushed Bentley towards a wider market of sporty luxury, while BMW elevated Rolls-Royce to a higher realm of bespoke luxury. This investment resulted in the highly advanced suspension systems, acoustic materials, and chassis designs that define the driving experiences today. For visitors to Dubai, this means that renting either vehicle guarantees a world-class experience, with each car offering a highly polished version of British heritage refined by German engineering.

At Naqra FZE, we maintain a fleet that represents the absolute peak of modern luxury. Our selection of Rolls-Royce models includes the Ghost, the Cullinan, and the flagship Phantom, each maintained to pristine factory conditions. We handle the logistics, delivering your chosen vehicle directly to your residence, hotel, or private aviation terminal in Dubai. For those who wish to compare the marques back-to-back, we can coordinate multi-day bookings that allow you to drive a Bentley on one day and a Rolls-Royce the next. Discover the options on our fleet page, and contact our concierge team to schedule your delivery. If you prefer to be driven, our professional chauffeur service is available to ensure your travel is entirely seamless.

Today, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group, which has managed the brand since 2003. Bentley Motors is owned by the Volkswagen Group, which acquired the brand in 1998. The two marques operate as completely independent competitors with separate factories, designs, and corporate offices.

No, they have been completely separate companies since January 1, 2003. While they shared the same ownership and manufacturing plant in Crewe from 1931 to 1998, their split put them under the control of competing German groups (BMW and Volkswagen), ending any shared engineering or design.

BMW was already supplying engines for Rolls-Royce cars and had a close relationship with the brand's management. When Volkswagen outbid BMW for the physical assets in Crewe, BMW negotiated directly with Rolls-Royce plc (the aerospace engine company) to purchase the rights to the trademark name and logo, which they successfully did for £40 million.

Yes, renting both brands is highly accessible in Dubai. Naqra FZE offers direct daily and weekly rentals of the latest Rolls-Royce models. We can also coordinate custom booking packages if you wish to experience the sporty performance of a Bentley on one day and the floating ride of a Rolls-Royce on another. Learn more on our fleet page.

Renting a Rolls-Royce is generally more expensive than renting a Bentley. In Dubai, daily rates for a Rolls-Royce Ghost start at AED 3,800, and the Cullinan SUV starts at AED 6,500, while daily rates for a Bentley Flying Spur or Continental GT typically range from AED 2,000 to AED 3,000. For complete pricing, visit our pricing page.