THE production line at Bentley Motors is back at full capacity after work started on the new model of the Bentayga.

A comprehensive review of social distancing measures, which has seen assembly areas redesigned, has allowed the motor giant to increase its output from 50 to 100 per cent with the first sales of the luxury SUV soon to be delivered European customers.

Production restarted at the Pyms Lane factory in May after a seven-week shutdown enforced by the pandemic. Work began on the new Bentayga last week and Bentley says it is now ramping up the 43-stage manufacturing process with 100 staff working on a socially-distanced production line.

Peter Bosch, Member of the Board for Manufacturing at Bentley Motors, explained: "In the lead up to manufacture commencing we reviewed each individual process to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness, implementing industry-leading lean techniques with social distancing measures included.

"What we are seeing at start of production is a car that is significantly revised, both inside and out, and yet reaching record quality in manufacture levels across the industry.

"The new Bentayga is a celebration of all that we can do in Crewe and is a testament to the skill, passion and dedication of all of our colleagues who produce cars unmatched by any other car factory in the world."

The new Bentayga is the first car launched under Bentley's Beyond100 business plan, which has also seen up to 1,000 jobs put at risk of redundancy with a consultation period still ongoing as the car giant looks to streamline its costs in the face of recession.

But it hopes the new model of the Bentayga will be as successful at its predecessor, which sold more than 20,000 cars.

The Bentayga is described as having the "broadest brief of any car on sale today" combining the performance of a grand tourer, a luxury limousine and a spacious family car and off-roader in one.