“We are looking at everything that is going on with that segment,” Andreas Zygan, Mercedes-Benz Director of SUV Development said. Zygan went on to point to Bentley and Lamborghini as two exclusive brands who were developing high-end SUVs and crossovers tailored to the growing market segment.
Steve Cannon, the brand’s U.S. sales head, noted that a range-topping luxury SUV would be a “natural fit.” “There’s just an almost unending appetite for SUVs, and luxury SUVs are proving that,” Cannon said.
Helping Mercedes-Benz towards the decision of crafting an ultra premium SUV is the fact that the German automaker sells an “incredible number” of GL full-size SUV loaded with options. Both the GL and G-Class can fetch as much as $125,000, but a Maybach-badged SUV would promise further revenue.
“There’s an appetite, a market for that,” Cannon said. “When we get to that point that we expand the Maybach offering — and we will expand the Maybach offering — that would be a natural place to go.”
Other automakers are plotting entrance to the top tiers of luxury SUV manufacturing as well. BMW is rumored to build a super-lux version of its upcoming X7, Cadillac is considering a range-topping Escalade with a quieter cabin, more premium interior materials, and unique exterior styling, and Rolls Royce has already claimed that its customers want a premium SUV from the brand.
Those who can afford $300,000-plus sedans, coupes, and sports cars are likely more interested in the trendy nature of crossovers and SUVs than their utility, but either way, luxury automakers are paying attention.
Editors' Recommendations
- Part plug-in, part dragster, the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 is an SUV of many faces
- Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven concept looks to the past for inspiration
- Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV first drive review: ’90s look, cutting-edge tech
- We need more 7-passenger EVs, but the 2023 Mercedes EQS SUV has room to improve
- Mercedes issues urgent do-not-drive recall for 292,000 SUVs
