Rolls-Royce Plans SUV Countering Elite $570,000 Mercedes Sedan

Rolls-Royce will develop a sport-utility vehicle, countering a push by Mercedes-Benz into ultra-luxury sedans as competition for wealthy consumers intensifies.

Daimler AG’s Mercedes is challenging turf traditionally held by Rolls-Royce with the introduction next year of the 500,000-euro ($570,000) Maybach Pullman. The three-row, extra-big version of the S-Class would beat the $403,000 starting price of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The BMW AG unit is striking back.