DaimlerChrysler design chief favours full-size SUV

Ben Klayman

Detroit, Jan 5: DaimlerChrysler AG'S North American design chief said that he would love to see the world's fifth largest automaker make a full-size sport utility (SUV) vehicle that would sell above its popular Jeep Grand Cherokee.While the automaker has made no public commitments to build such a vehicle, it is exploring how big and important that end of the market is, Tom Gale told Reuters at the media preview to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The show opens to the public on Saturday.The question of a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) was raised by the introduction on Sunday of the Jeep Commander concept.

"I would love to do it," Gale said. "I think there's something there. When you look at the success of the upper end of that segment, when you look at the image we have with Jeep, I personally think the Jeep brand is just dying for that. It's a natural."

A full-size SUV is an attractive alternative to DaimlerChrysler because they are so profitable, analysts said. Vehicles likeFord Motor Co.'s Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, and General Motors Corp.'s GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe generate as much as $13,000 in before-tax profits.

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