motoring news Bahrainthismonth.com 50 September 2023 BENTLEY ANNOUNCES STRONG HALF-YEAR FINANCIALS Bentley Motors has announced encouraging financial results for the first six months of 2023, however cautioned of more difficult trading conditions to follow. The luxury British marque posted operating profits of EUR390 million, slightly down on the same period last year, a two percent drop from EUR398 million. Revenue decreased slightly in 2023, posting EUR1.681 billion against a 2022 figure of EUR1.707 billion, with significant interest in Mulliner personalisation, derivatives and optional uptake continuing. Return on sales remained as 23.2 percent for the first six months of 2023. The Middle East region proved to be a particular success story for the brand, with sales up by 11 percent over the first half of the year when compared to the same period in 2022. From the half-year deliveries of 7,096 cars, the best-selling Bentayga luxury SUV claimed 44 percent of total sales, with the latest Flying Spur sedan accounting for 24 per cent, and the Continental GT and GTC Grand Tourers recording 32 per cent. KIA K3 SETS NEW STANDARDS IN ITS CLASS Kia has revealed the all-new Kia K3 at a world premiere in Mexico City. With the K3, Kia aims to redefine the sub-compact segment with its bold and progressive design, spacious interior, abundant convenience, and safety features. Embracing the company’s slogan ‘Movement that Inspires,’ the Kia K3 is a revolutionary new model that will be built in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The Kia K3 will be offered with the renowned 1.6-liter engine, and for the first time, a new sporty GT-Line trim will be available. The 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 123 ps can be coupled with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. The GT-Line trim offers a 2.0-liter engine with unprecedented power of 152 ps matched with a sixspeed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters. Additionally, an export-oriented 1.4-litre engine will also be made available. In line with Kia’s strong focus on safety, the K3 comes with six airbags, an ABS braking system, and an ESC electronic stability program as standard features, as well as class leading Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) features as optional upgrades.
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