--- title: "Bentley CEO Who Blamed ‘Emotional Sensitivity’ for Low Sales Is No Longer Bentley’s CEO" description: "Bentley's CEO Adrian Hallmark is leaving to become the CEO of Aston Martin, just days after discussing Bentley's low 2023 sales volume." date: "2024-03-24" modified: "2024-03-24" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bentley-ceo-who-blamed-emotional-sensitivity-for-low-sales-is-no-longer-bentleys-ceo" categories: - "Bentley News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "bentley" - "Continental GT" - "luxury" --- # Bentley CEO Who Blamed ‘Emotional Sensitivity’ for Low Sales Is No Longer Bentley’s CEO ![]() *Adrian Hallmark. Bentley* Just a few days ago, [Bentley]()'s CEO Adrian Hallmark said quite possibly the most unintentionally funny thing an automotive CEO has ever said. According to Hallmark, sales were down in 2023 due in part to customers' "emotional sensitivity."[ In other words](), rich people were afraid of shaming us poors while driving around in $300,000 Continental GTs. And just a few days later, Bentley announced that Hallmark is leaving ... to run [Aston Martin](). This transition was likely in the works for a long time, so Hallmark's leaving isn't related to his comments on Bentley's lower sales. However, it is ironic to hear a CEO of one uber-luxury brand talk about "emotional sensitivity" over displaying wealth in economically struggling markets and then announce a transition to another uber-luxury brand days later. ![]() **Aston Martin Vantage. Aston Martin** Hallmark won't start running Aston Martin right away, he'll step into the CEO role by October 1, 2024 at the latest. Until then, Aston's current CEO Amedeo Felisa will continue to run the company. When Hallmark does take over Aston, he'll have his work cut out for him launching its first-ever Valhalla hybrid supercar, getting the new [Vantage ]()off the ground, and facing electrification head-on, among other things. However, most folks at Aston Martin think he's the right person for the job. “In Adrian Hallmark, we are attracting one of the highest calibre leaders not just in our segment, but in the entire global automotive industry. Complementing our world-class leadership, Adrian will bring to Aston Martin unrivalled experience in both the ultra-luxury and British manufacturing sectors to progress our strategy and continue recent momentum,” said Aston Martin Exectuive Chairman Lawrence Stroll. More importantly, though, Hallmark will bring an astute awareness of Aston Martin customers' emotional sensitivity. Let's hope DB12 and Vantage customers don't feel as ashamed of driving their quarter-million-dollar supercars around us plebes as Bentley customers do. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()