GENEVA -- Bentley and Lamborghini want to create a niche -- the ultraluxury crossover with a price tag of $200,000 to $250,000 -- and they're aiming for annual combined volume of more than 7,000 vehicles.

The heads of both companies say their crossovers are nearing approval from their parent company, Volkswagen AG, despite the meltdown of the European auto market. That's because the United States, where crossovers and SUVs sell briskly, will be the biggest market.

The two crossovers will be the most expensive in the United States and will compete with the upper end of British and German models, such as the Range Rover Autobiography, priced at $130,995, and the high-performance $135,225 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. Prices include shipping.