SLOVAKIA has lost out in its bid for a new investment by carmaker Volkswagen. The German firm announced on July 23 that it will produce the new luxury Bentley EXF9 SUV, informally branded ‘Falcon’, in the British town of Crewe, the Sme daily reported.
Originally, the carmaker considered the option of producing the car in Bratislava, but eventually chose the UK.
“When we put together all factors, the result was Crewe,” said Wolfgang Glabus from Bentley, as quoted by Sme. He did not specify these reasons, nor did he say whether the UK offered any investment aid as an incentive. In Slovakia, the intended production wasn’t eligible for investment aid since it was considered to be located in Bratislava Region, where investment stimuli are not permitted.
Volkswagen will invest €800 million in Crewe, and plans to launch the new car on world markets in 2016.
