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| It was quite an occasion, the first one assembled at Crewe, Cheshire, UK |
SUV stands for 'sport utility vehicle', but it is really about the utility side of the name. As to where they started, some say the Chevrolet Suburban going back to 1935. The Jeep Wagoneer from 1962 was another although the term wasn't yet coined. The Range Rover from 1970 was getting into the premium side of the genre. The Range Rover has since gone up in quality, and been followed by many.
Thereafter the SUV has spread through the range of segments, taking more and more market share in the process. However, one segment has remained untouched, the super luxury class. Not anymore! The last bastion of sedan and sports car has been taken in by the allure of the SUV style of vehicle. Maserati (2016), Rolls Royce and Lamborghini (2018) and Aston Martin intend to cash in on the potential as well.
One has beaten them all, Bentley with the Bentayga with first deliveries having just been made. 10,000 are on the order books and maximum production capacity is in the region of 5,000, so a waiting list of some length already exists. It isn't cheap either, but there are plenty of people who can afford such a car.
What it means: The final frontier of car segments has been conquered by the SUV style of vehicle. With a high riding position, being roomy and practical too, yet still regal in appearance, the SUV delivers a compelling combination of attributes that people simply cannot get enough of.
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| The first to be delivered |
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