The new Bentley dealership in the heart of Russia´s elegant northern capital on the Neva is the third in this emerging key market. Together with its Russian partner Mercury Group Bentley Motors hosted an exclusive opening party in the garden of the Petropavlov Fortress.

With the new showcase in Saint Petersburg Bentley Motors is significantly expanding its dealer network in the growing Russian market. It is the third – the two others are located in Moscow – and is set in a bustling new business area, at the crossing of Gelsingforsskaya Street and Vyborgskaya embankment along the Neva river.

To celebrate the new showroom Bentley Motors and Bentley St. Petersburg hosted a lavish cocktail party in the beautiful garden of the Petropavlov Fortress located on the Zayachiy Island overlooking the city. The performance of the new young Russian artist Petr Nalitch was one of the highlights of the evening. The guest list included customers and prospects as well as an array of personalities representing the city´s rich culture of politics, business and arts.

Bentley Motors' Chairman and Chief Executive Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen commented in his speech: "St. Petersburg was a natural choice for Bentley and means we are now able to offer our many existing and potential customers here the level of sales and aftersales service they have come to expect from our company."

The opening of an exclusive showroom in Saint Petersburg is symbolic of Russia´s key role for Bentley. It has become the second largest market in Continental Europe after Germany. Sales in Russia have burgeoned from 67 cars in 2004 to over 200 automobiles sold last year. A further service point in Krasnodar is due to join the network in the third quarter of 2008.

The success of the Russian economy in recent years has created a set of young, discerning entrepreneurs for whom Bentley´s heritage mix of performance and luxury has a great appeal. Rather than having to travel all the way to Moscow customers will now be able to enjoy the complete spectrum of exclusive sales and bespoke aftersales services right in Saint Petersburg. The spacious new showroom not only offers customers and prospects a first hand experience of the entire Bentley range – featuring the Arnage and Continental series -, but a state-of-the-art service centre, a warehouse for spare parts and a workshop for body repair and refinishing.