Over the last few years a new market within the motor industry has emerged - namely that of the SUV - and for some old European brands, it has helped keep them afloat. But why has the SUV captured the imagination of so many car buyers in such a short period?

It certainly isn't because SUVs put less pressure on a drivers annual breakdown cover - although they may or may not be more reliable and durable.

As with so many questions relating to the automotive landscape, one has to look East. China in particular has fallen in love with the SUV, providing the main driving force behind new models from brands like Mercedes-Benz and Ford.

But within the general SUV market, there has been a big increase in demand for luxury or sports SUVs. Brands such as Porsche with its Cayenne model and Bentley with its post-code sounding EXP 9F, have demonstrated a more useful side to these prestigious, showy marques.

Could it be that the sports car owners of the eighties, nineties and noughties are dwindling in number? To be replaced, at least in part, by family-minded Chinese entrepreneurs?

It is a hard question to answer. Many of these luxury SUV purchases may be a second car, to sit alongside a sports car that already resides in the garage.

Whatever the answer, with news that Lamborghini too is introducing a new sports SUV (in the form of the Urus), this ever-growing market has plenty more surprises in store for us.