Bentley is planning to move to 24-hour working at its Crewe factory after it launches a four-door version of its £110,000 Continental GT coupé next year.

The company, owned by Volkswagen, will start recruiting more than 100 staff towards the end of this year for a third shift, and hopes to start production of the saloon early next year.

The announcement is a rare piece of good news for Volkswagen's luxury brands. Sister-brand Bugatti's €1m (£0.667m) Veyron has been delayed until next year because it is too difficult to drive, while the investment in VW's luxury saloon, the Phaeton, has been written off after poor sales.

(Source: ft.com)