2009 Bentley Brooklands(PRNewsFoto/Bentley Motors, Inc.)
NAPLES, FL UNITED STATES
- Mr and Mrs Monte Ahuja bid $450,000 for the rights to own the first U.S.-delivered Bentley Brooklands coupe - $14 million of auction sale to go to Naples Children and Education Foundation - Bentley Brooklands is destined to be a collectors' classic with only 550 units to be manufactured worldwide over its lifecycle NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/
The first Bentley Brooklandscoupe destined for the U.S. market has been purchased for $450,000 at acharity auction held during the 2008 Naples Winter Wine Festival. The $14million from the auction sale will directly benefit the Naples Children andEducation Foundation, which supports charitable and educational programs toimprove the physical, emotional and educational lives of underprivileged orat-risk children.
Monte and Usha Ahuja placed the winning bid of the first Brooklandscoupe destined for the U.S. market, with delivery estimated to take placein the second quarter this year. The $450,000 auction price ranks as one ofthe highest ever paid for a lot in the wine festival's eight-year history.
"We are truly heartened by Mr and Mrs Monte Ahuja's generous bid forthe first Bentley Brooklands destined for the U.S. market," said ChristopheGeorges, Chief Operating Officer for Bentley Motors, Inc.
"We are delightedto be associated with the Naples Winter Wine Festival recognising itscontribution to the Naples Children and Education Foundation which benefitsso many deserving children in the south Florida community." The 2009 Bentley Brooklands is a stunning new model that marksBentley's return to the luxury coupe market and reaffirms the company'sreputation as creator of the world's most exclusive coupes.
It is theultimate Bentley: a stylish, four-seat, grand touring coupe with classicBritish proportions and muscular performance. Introduced at the 77th Geneva International Motor Show last year,Bentley Brooklands has rapidly captured the praise of international pressand the hearts of luxury aficionados worldwide. Brooklands is destined to be a collectors' classic due to its limitedproduction run coupled with Bentley's world class attention to detail.
EachBrooklands coupe will be hand-assembled, employing traditionalcoach-building techniques and the craftsmanship skills in wood veneer andleather hide for which Bentley is renowned. Naples Winter Wine Festival The 8th annual Naples Winter Wine Festival has brought together many ofthe world's finest vintners and chefs with wine collectors and otherbidders for a three-day gala to benefit the Naples Children and EducationFoundation.
The charity's vision is to make a profound and sustainingdifference in the quality of children's lives. Since its inception in 2001, the Naples Winter Wine Festival has raised$55.5 million for children in need, with a record $15.6 million raisedunder the auction tent in 2007. Bentley Worldwide Bentley worldwide sales in 2007 rose 7 percent to 10,014 units. InNorth America, nearly 4,200 Bentley's were delivered to customers in 2007,up from just over 4,000 the year prior. This growth reflects the continuedsuccess of the full Continental range of products plus growing demand forthe company's premium range of cars.
Bentley Motors, Inc. is the Sales, Marketing and distribution channelfor Bentley brand products sold in North America. Headquartered in AuburnHills, MI., Bentley Motors, Inc. has approximately 65 employees and 43dealerships throughout the region. Motor vehicles such as the BentleyArnage, Azure convertible, Continental GT coupe, Continental Flying Spursedan and Continental GTC convertible accounted for more than 4,200 salesin 2007.
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