Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars has announced that chief executive Tony Gott would - by mutual consent - be leaving the company 'to pursue new challenges'. His replacement has not been announced. In the meantime, member of the board for finance, Hans-Georg Melching, will be acting chief executive.

Mr Melching said: "In the three years that Tony has been in this position, a great deal has been achieved at Crewe. The new Bentley GT coupé has been signed off during Tony's tenure and we have confirmed that this new range of Bentleys will be built at Crewe - along with the car's engine. Last year also saw sales of Bentley increase by over 35%, while of course this year Bentley returned to Le Mans in triumph after 71 years finishing third overall and first in class. We are grateful for everything Tony has done for Rolls-Royce & Bentley Motor Cars and we wish him every success in the future."

Mr Gott joined the company in 1984 as a senior design engineer and he held a number of positions within engineering as he worked his way up through the company, becoming chief executive in 1999. (November 6, 2001)