Bentley & Lamborghini SUV on hold as VW cut costs

Reports today say that VW is planning to put the Bentley SUV and Lamborghini Urus SUV on hold as VW fights to cut costs.

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Volkswagen may be weathering the economic gloom that has engulfed the Euro zone better than mainstream car makers like Fiat and PSA, but even VW is not immune from financial realities.

Despite still strong sales, VW is now forecasting lowered sales going forward than previously expected and looking at ways to keep costs in check until the economy starts moving in the right direction again. And one of those cuts seems to be the launch of luxury SUVs by Bentley and Lamborghini.[nggallery id=979 template=customlinks]Just last week we questioned how viable the Bentley and Lamborghini SUVs are in light of the potential the 2013 Range Rover (and the 2014 Range Rover Sport) offers, with a lower price point and a deeper set of abilities. Now it looks like VW might think the same.

The Chicago Tribune are today reporting that VW is blocking the launch of the Urus and EXP 9 in the light of dismal sales forecasts and the economic gloom. Hans Dieter Poetsch, VW’s Finance boss, has stated that they now think sales of the Bentley SUV could peak at just 4,000 cars a year and the Urus SUV at 2,400, making it hard to make a business case for their launch.

Looks like the 2013 Range Rover might have won the battle of the super luxury SUVs before it even hits showrooms.

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