Meet Bentley's New CEO Who Crafted The Porsche 918 Spyder
The automotive world has its eyes on Bentley as they announce their new CEO, Frank-Steffen Walliser. A man with a rich history at another Volkswagen Group brand, Porsche, Walliser is poised to bring a wealth of knowledge and prestige to the British luxury marque. His extensive career at Porsche began in 1995, where he was instrumental in several key projects, including the development of the groundbreaking Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar starting in 2010.
The Journey from Porsche to Bentley
Walliser's background in mechanical engineering, particularly with internal-combustion engines, has allowed him to navigate through various pivotal roles at Porsche. From spearheading the 918 Spyder project to leading the motorsports division, Walliser's influence has been significant. Most recently, he managed the 718 and 911 sports car lines before taking charge of overall vehicle development. His move to Bentley, effective July 1, comes as Adrian Hallmark prepares to join Aston Martin as CEO.
An Era of Transformation for Bentley
Bentley is at a crossroads in its automotive journey. The brand is likely rolling out its final internal combustion engine—a new twin-turbocharged V-8 as part of the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. This next-gen hybrid, set to debut later this year in the updated Continental GT range, promises an impressive 771 horsepower, serving as a worthy successor to Bentley's legendary 6.0-liter W-12 engine. Yet, even as it looks to its hybrid future, Bentley is eagerly working towards its first all-electric vehicle, projected for a 2026 release.
Global Leadership Changes
Alongside Walliser's appointment, Bentley named Mike Rocco as the new chief of the Americas, its largest market. Rocco, previously head of sales operations for the Americas, will replace Christophe Georges. Georges, in turn, will head back to the Crewe, U.K., headquarters to oversee Bentley's global sales and marketing team. These leadership changes signify a strategic shift as Bentley looks to reinforce its market presence and drive innovation under new leadership.
The appointment of Frank-Steffen Walliser marks a significant milestone in Bentley's evolution. With his illustrious track record and technical acumen, Walliser is expected to steer Bentley through a transformative period, blending the prestige of traditional engineering with cutting-edge hybrid and electric technologies. As the luxury automaker marches forward, its commitment to innovation and performance remains unwavering under the vision of its new leadership.