Franz-Josef Paefgen has today taken up his position as chairman and chief executive, Bentley Motors. Acting chief executive, Hans-Georg Melching, resumes his position as member of the board for finance.

Mr Paefgen said: “I am delighted to be taking up this role at Bentley Motors. The outlook for Bentley is positive and exciting and I look forward to leading this strong team through one of the most important periods in its history.”

He has long been a Bentley admirer – one of his favourite models of all time is the R-Type Continental.

Mr Paefgen was a member of Audi AG's board of management with responsibility for technical development from early 1995 until April 1997. He became deputy chairman at in January 1997 and was appointed spokesman of the Audi management that summer.

In March 1998, he was appointed chairman. After the takeover of Lamborghini by Audi in July 1998, Mr Paefgen was appointed president of Automobili Lamborghini Holding.

Now, as chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, he sees his primary task as ensuring that the brand is positioned where it should be: "on top of everything". The sporting luxury car range will, he believes, prove successful and profitable.