Bentley has bought a 27.9 per cent stake in luxury car dealer HR Owen, according to reports.

The luxury car brand, which is owned by Volkswagen, has said that it has no plans to increase this stake which is believed to be worth £9 million.

Nick Lancaster, chief executive of HR Owen, told the Times: "We don't see this as an unfriendly move. But we only heard about it at lunchtime and we need to have a meeting with them."

HR Owen, which was established more than 75 years ago, is renowned for providing upmarket vehicles including Bentleys and Rolls-Royces as well as Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Bugattis.

Earlier this week Bentley revealed that it has seen sales of its cars soar despite a tough economic climate – with profits increasing 13 per cent last year to £122 million.

The number of cars being made by the firm is also on the up, with 2007 seeing 10,000 Bentleys roll into dealerships – a record for the car maker.

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