Forget Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6! Now, Maserati and Bentley will sell posh people movers. Why? Because that is where the money is nowadays in the auto market.
SUVs or sport-utility vehicles may be on the verge of becoming very popular not only in Dubai, but all over the world. There is apparently room for growth in global markets as according to Bloomberg News, demand for upscale SUVs has nearly doubled since 2000 with high-end luxury car makers actively targeting what has become a lucrative market segment. For example, the Cayenne model sale is responsible for roughly half of the Porshe’s sales, while Mercedes-Benz makes lots of money selling the luxury G-Class.
Maserati will go the way of Porsche with the Cayenne and create its own luxury SUV. The company reportedly plans to build its first-ever SUV in the U.S. The Maserati Kuba x-over or crossover concept from designer Andrey Trofimchuk envisions what an SUV from Maserati may look like, when they build one. The version would have to carry strong brand-specific styling cues, and it would also have to back up the brand’s nameplate with sufficient luxury and performance to help convince worthy buyers they are not just getting a nicer Jeep. Selling the new Maserati model to well-heeled buyers in the world may not be as much of a challenge as one might think.
The forthcoming Bentley SUV would share a common platform with models of the Volkswagen, confirmed in a recent Motor Trend interview Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer. Bentley’s sport-utility vehicle would likely ride on the similar technical specifications that serve as the basis for the Audi Q7, the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne. Jeep enthusiast could expect to see classic Bentley’s styling with roundish headlamps and a bold grille on the outside and plenty of leather upholstery, wood veneer trim and lambs’ wool carpeting on the inside. A concept version of the as-yet-unnamed Maserati SUV will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in few weeks. No word yet on when we might get a sneak peek at whatever Bentley might have in the works for its luxury SUV.
“Go with the flow” could actually be a smart business strategy that enables companies to capitalize on trends as they change.
