Premium auto brands make crossover

Premium car brands are now becoming pioneers in exploring new model concepts such as the crossover vehicle. At the ongoing Auto China exhibition in Beijing, their booths showcase the crossover model that combines utility, comfort and style. In a word, they are mixed-blood. One example is the Mercedes-Benz Concept Coupe SUV, which made its global premiere yesterday. It is a vehicle that combines a coupe-like silhouette with the raised stance of a sport-utility vehicle. Other brands have also been driven to explore this new direction of vehicle design such as the BMW X6, seen as direct rival to the Concept Coupe SUV, and smaller SUVs like BMW X4 and Audi Q4 — both of which made their Asian debut. The Infiniti Q30 concept which also debuted in Asia yesterday is a fusion of a hatch back, coupe, and a city SUV. Zeng Zhilin, research director of LMC Automotive, Asia Pacific, predicts brands are now competing in product differentiation that may develop into another high-growth segment. "China’s SUV craze may continue through 2020, and consumers will be looking for something different," Zeng said. Crossovers like city SUVs are big money spinners as their style comes across as the biggest value-added.