Frank-Steffen Walliser

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bentley Motors Limited, Volkswagen AG

Search every verified Frank-Steffen Walliser interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, has been publicly promoting the company's first fully electric model, the Torcal, following its global debut in London in late September 2026. He described the vehicle as the most important launch in Bentley's 107-year history and a "blueprint" for future models, emphasizing that it was designed, engineered, and built at the company's Crewe site in the UK. Walliser framed the Torcal as an addition to the existing range rather than a replacement, stating that it expands customer choice alongside internal combustion and hybrid models. He also highlighted a £350 million investment in the Crewe facility, which he said sustains around 4,000 jobs and includes a new assembly line and paint shop. In interviews, Walliser said the timing for the electric model was right because EV technology has matured to meet Bentley's standards and market acceptance has grown. He noted that roughly half of the purchase interest for the Torcal has come from new customers or those returning to the brand, and he positioned the car as a way to attract a younger audience. Addressing comparisons to other luxury brands, he said Bentley is not Lamborghini and that the Torcal's characteristics, including a bespoke soundscape developed with musicians, are intended to preserve "Bentleyness." He also discussed the broader automotive industry, stating that it is under financial stress due to high investment costs, but that Bentley is targeting double-digit returns on sales.