????大眾汽車1998年收購(gòu)賓利前，賓利這個(gè)汽車品牌被大家視為英國(guó)上流社會(huì)優(yōu)雅而頗富懷舊氣息的象征?；适壹易宄蓡T至今還坐賓利車到處旅行，這也是這家公司十分自豪的一點(diǎn)。實(shí)際上，查爾斯王子的那輛賓利慕尚（Mulsanne）的后排最近特意略微降低了高度，以便他的伴侶卡米拉戴帽子的時(shí)候也能方便地上下車。

????今年賓利全球銷量可能會(huì)達(dá)到1萬輛，主銷車型是歐陸GT轎跑（Continental GT coupe），飛馳（Flying Spur）轎車以及多少應(yīng)該算大型豪華轎車的慕尚。這個(gè)銷量大概是全球超豪華汽車銷量的四分之一，主要是由中國(guó)、美國(guó)和歐洲三個(gè)市場(chǎng)均攤的。

????就在有些廠商向股東夸口稱只用30到40個(gè)工時(shí)就能制造一輛車時(shí)，賓利所標(biāo)榜的卻恰恰與之相反：造一輛飛馳需要大概350個(gè)工時(shí)的精工細(xì)作，打造一輛慕尚更是要花上560個(gè)工時(shí)。

????所有懷疑這些數(shù)字的人都有機(jī)會(huì)被邀請(qǐng)到英格蘭北部的克魯郡，親眼目睹工人們縫制真皮，打制锃亮的金屬部件，并將大塊木板變成華麗的木紋飾面。每年約有8,000名訪客，包括很多客戶，最終會(huì)選擇賓利。

????過去，如果你是公爵、貴族或首席執(zhí)行官，才有機(jī)會(huì)開上一輛賓利。這輛車就是一種身份象征。不過現(xiàn)在賓利也改變推銷策略了：你應(yīng)該買現(xiàn)在的新款，以及即將推出的SUV，因?yàn)槟阌羞@個(gè)實(shí)力。（財(cái)富中文網(wǎng)）

????譯者：清遠(yuǎn)?????????

????Before VW bought Bentley in 1998, the automaker was seen as an elegant, though somewhat antiquated, symbol of the British upper crust. Members of the royal family to this day own and travel in Bentleys. The company is very proud of this fact. Indeed, the rear seat of the Mulsanne used by Prince Charles recently was lowered slightly so his consort, Camilla, could easily enter and exit while wearing her hat.

????This year, Bentley may reach 10,000 vehicle sales worldwide, consisting of its Continental GT coupe, Flying Spur sedan, and Mulsanne large sedan, which is more or less a limousine. That number constitutes roughly a quarter of the worldwide market for ultra-luxury vehicles and is distributed fairly evenly among China, the U.S., and Europe.

????While some automakers brag to shareholders that they can build a car in as few as 30 to 40 labor hours, Bentley boasts the opposite: About 350 hours of craftsmanship are required to build the Flying Spur, and it takes 560 hours to construct the Mulsanne.

????Anyone who doubts those numbers is invited to Crewe in northern England to watch the workers stitch leather, shape the brightwork, and turn the planks into gorgeous wood grained paneling. About 8,000 visitors a year, including many customers, take Bentley up on the offer.

????Once upon a time, a Bentley was something to drive because you were a duke or an aristocrat or maybe a CEO. The car was a status symbol. Bentley has tweaked its pitch: You should buy today's models, and the SUV to come, because you've earned it.