Bentley, Lamborghini may delay SUVs
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Bentley and Lamborghini rolled out extravagant concept sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), like the Lamborghini Urus pictured above, at auto shows in Geneva and Beijing this year in a push towards off-roaders aimed at boosting profitability. -- PHOTO: LAMBORGHINI
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Bentley and Lamborghini's plans to develop ultra-luxury SUVs may be put on hold to save cash for parent Volkswagen (VW). Production of the Bentley SUV, pictured above, scheduled to start in late 2014, might peak at fewer than 4,000 cars in 2016. -- PHOTO: BENTLEY
Bentley and Lamborghini rolled out extravagant concept sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), like the Lamborghini Urus pictured above, at auto shows in Geneva and Beijing this year in a push towards off-roaders aimed at boosting profitability. -- PHOTO: LAMBORGHINI
Bentley and Lamborghini's plans to develop ultra-luxury SUVs may be put on hold to save cash for parent Volkswagen (VW). Production of the Bentley SUV, pictured above, scheduled to start in late 2014, might peak at fewer than 4,000 cars in 2016. -- PHOTO: BENTLEY
BERLIN (REUTERS) - Bentley and Lamborghini's plans to develop ultra-luxury SUVs may be put on hold to save cash for parent Volkswagen (VW), in a sign that the crisis is beginning to bite even for the German auto giant.
Britain-based Bentley and the Italian supercar maker rolled out extravagant concept sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) at the auto shows in Geneva and Beijing this year, with production awaiting approval by VW's management board.
The push towards off-roaders is aimed at boosting profitability at Lamborghini, loss-making since 2009, and Bentley.
The move has dismayed Lamborghini purists who fear that expanding to four-by-fours will dilute the brand's exclusivity.
