MPVs were once mainstream but then out of fashion because manufacturers saw more profit on SUVs.

Now they realized they can get more profit from vans disguising as MPVs so they bringing back luxury vans as MPVs.

A director at a company we use was telling me they have ordered a new Lexus LM 7 seater luxury MPV to ferry staff about as a pool car; this is in addition to a Maxus Mifa 9 they have ordered. Apparently they had to be quick with the Lexus order despite it costing £87k! Volvo are also bringing out a luxury MPV. I take it the luxury MPV market is lucrative for manufacturers?

Mercedes-Benz have been making luxury versions of their vans for some time.

Well that is the thing isn't it, so it isn't really a trend.

There has been highly luxurious versions of some JDM MPV's for many years now. The only difference here is that the Lexus (which is a Toyota Alphard/Vellfire in disguise) is being sold in the UK.

Whether or not the Volvo goes on sale in the UK too has yet to be decided. Personally I think it unlikely, just as I think it unlikely the Lexus will sell many of them. But, as was mentioned the last time the Lexus LM popped up in a thread, JDM versions are already RHD, so very little cost and risk for Lexus to bring them here (though the same can be said for the Volvo if it is going to be sold in a RHD market).