Rolls-Royce Confirms SUV Plan

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. confirms it will develop an ultra-luxury SUV/crossover vehicle.

The BMW AG unit prefers to call the upcoming model a "high-bodied car" that can "cross any terrain." Rolls-Royce did not indicate when the crossover will debut. But it does say the vehicle will ride on its own aluminum chassis rather than share a BMW platform.

Rolls-Royce is a latecomer to the high-end crossover market. Volkswagen AG's Bentley Motors unit plans to unveil a production version of its upcoming SUV this year and being selling it in 2016. Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Maserati and Mercedes-Benz all are preparing to introduce ultra-luxury crossover vehicles.