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Maybach to bite the dust? Daimler may pull the plug

omarrana submitted on 3/14/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 3:24:11 PM

54 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.egmcartech.com

Tag Link: Maybach

We almost forgot that Maybach still exists as an Uber-premium brand, but its future is certainly questionable.

Maybach sold only 146 cars last year, or one-tenth the projected amount.

The company, which sells only 2 versions of the same car in XL [57] and XXL [63] sizes, is not scheduled to get any new products anytime soon. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche argues that the Maybach brand shows that they can compete with the most pretigious of brands, Rolls Royce. Well, his definition of ‘compete’ must be slightly different than ours though.

In terms of profitability, it’s been...

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Maybach to bite the dust? Daimler may pull the plug

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I hooked up my accelerator to my brake lights. I hit the gas, people behind me stop, and I'm gone.
— omarrana (View Profile)

User Comments

LEXUS!!!!!!
— AE86 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 3:31:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -19

LEXUS? LOL!

We all know that Lexus copied the Maybach rear seating arrangement. Who are you trying to fool. Lexus can't even compare with Mercedes in prestige you want to compare it to Maybach.

It's rare to see an LS in front of a 5-star European hotel. That's dominated by the obvious.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 12:14:40 PM | | Votes: 3

you talking to me?

For your information I own a S550 and an LS plus I have a brand spanking new R8 sitting at home waiting for me after months of waiting. Who are you to say I can't afford one. I don't go bragging what I have but it seems that only losers talk smack to make themselves feel better. Whatever works really.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 4:19:46 PM | | Votes: -1

Carguy1: you need to grow up. Quit acting like you're 13. Unless you really are. If so it really shows. This is a car site. Enthusiasts gather here to talk about cars so stay on topic.

If you do own an R8 then good for you and you will enjoy it. However if you're being sarcastic and you own a toy model instead then I have nothing else to say.

Anyways, talk to us when you have something good to say.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 6:17:39 PM | | Votes: 0

Yeah..I own a Porsche GT, Bentley Continental, and two F430s...top that!!! idiots...

Someone blurts out LEXUS!!! obvisouly wants fan boy attention...lol...
— Porschinator (View Profile)

Posted on 3/17/2008 6:52:17 PM | | Votes: 0

I have 1,000 Ferrari Enzos. 30 LF-A's, 15 of them are spyders, 10 959's and 30 F40's. I am 18 and paid for all of them in cash.

My daily driver is a Maybach.
— AE86 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/18/2008 9:11:04 PM | | Votes: 1

S550 and an LS?

Doubtful combination.
— AE86 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/18/2008 9:12:08 PM | | Votes: 2

It's a shame that they had to be so ugly from the outside. Everything else about this is quite amazing!
— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 3:37:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

Ya what were they thinking?
— MadibaP (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 5:52:44 AM | | Votes: 0

IDK, I wouldnt say that they are UGLY but their exterior design did indeed last only a year before it went stale. My question is: If this is MB's ULTRA LUXURY brand, why isnt Maybach ahead of MB in terms of design and more importantly technology?
— LACMAN (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 5:28:02 PM | | Votes: 3

Way too similar to the S-class and lacked an engine that didn't further distinguish it from even the hand-built AMG's.

Plus, I think Dr. Z picked up a few bad traits from the now defunct Chrysler marriage.
— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 4:07:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

the styling is what tanked this car. say what you will about the Phantom, it looks the part of ultra-luxury. the Maybach just looks like an overgrown S-class.

if it's based on the old S-class chassis, and looks similar to the S-class inside and out, why wouldn't a guy either save himself a few bucks and buy an S65 AMG, or go all the way and get a Phantom?

Maybach is even sold at MB dealerships. Can you imagine walking past S65's to sign on for this?
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 5:21:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7

Or walking past C240's to sign for this?
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 11:59:23 AM | | Votes: 3

It looks Korean... I would never buy this over a Phantom! It like not one person at Merc actually looked at this car from the Phantom buyers perspective! They just built it and thought the Merc link would do all the work for them and the buyers would simply flock in...
— MadibaP (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 6:01:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

I agree totally! I thought the same thing when I first saw this car. The grill looked too stylized, cheap in a way. The silhouette is too close to other Mercs (You don't see the Rolls looking like a 7 series ((And THANK GOD!))) The interior is excellent, Mercedes just failed to put a good wrapper around the interior. Its just too plain or something. It lacks character and the name does not have the same coveted feel of its competition. They should have given Maybach a look all its own, distinct, Old World Coach-built look, (Like Rolls feels)This look just doesn't do it for me....
— atomicbri (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 7:16:57 AM | | Votes: 4

If it looked better it would do a lot better - it's nice inside, if a bit tacky.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 12:13:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

its chassis 'architecture' is based off of the w140, NOT the w220, hence, its code name being w240. AND it looks nothing like either the 140 or 220. there are only two 'visual' similarities between it and the 220, the instrument cluster and the steering wheel - that's all!
— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 12:19:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

again ppl, please, if you want to deboost the facts please provide some of your own. its not like i was providing opinion here. which one of you think the maybach looks like either the 140 or 220? if anything, the 221 looks like the maybach. even down to the switches on the interior - different from both the 140 and 220. the only other thing that may look remotely similar to the 220 are the vents on the hood in front of the windshield and the windshield wipers. other than that - fact is - this car is based on the w140 - not becuase it was the cheaper route - but becuase the 140 was / is superior to the 220.
— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 6:58:47 PM | | Votes: -1

Because the Maybach is so heavy it can't go on the W220 chassis.
The Maybach also doesn't have half the tech of the S class - no ABC (only really old Airmatic DC), only a 5 speed, not the latest COMAND, not so many of the advanced safety features (Pre-safe etc), no night vision, no distronic cruise control...it doesn't do very much significantly better than the S class.

And it shares a lot with the S class - the dials, the Nav system (with the 220 not 221), the gearbox and gearlever, and gearlever surround, suspension, climate control buttons and system, vents, light switches, indicator/cruise control stalks - all of them are from the 221.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 9:28:29 PM | | Votes: 0

rupert: my comments were meant to clarify two things: 1. the maybach chassis design is based off of the 140, not the 220 (as the article misstated), and 2. the maybach does not look like the 220 (in contrast with the comments of others here).

i did not mean to say that the maybach was more 'technologically' advanced. when i stated that the 140 was superior to the 220, it was in reference to the chassis design (of course an 03 220 will be more advanced - technologically - when compared to a 95 140, no question to that!), but you answered it yourself... the 140 chassis design is able to support a greater load than that of the 220 chassis. this must mean that the design is more capable, more sturdy, more rigid, last longer, of an overall higher quality and strength. and probably more expensive to make, otherwise they would have retained the same design for the 220 instead of spending additional sums to design a new one.

but anyway, getting back to the look of the maybach. if you've ever sat in one (had my second opportunity to do so this past week - lakeview mb has TWO OF THEM in their service showroom - AND AN SLR!!!) the interior (dash and doors) bears very little resemblence to that of the 220. yes, if you nitpick - you will find a few things here an there carried over, but the overall design, feel, look is nothing like a 220. yes, both are the high end mb sedans, but please...
— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 12:25:04 AM | | Votes: 0

http://photos.ebizautos.com/6680/2637039_20.jpg

http://photos.ebizautos.com/6680/2637039_27.jpg

http://photos2.ebizautos.com/4455/2491055_51.jpg

http://photos2.ebizautos.com/4455/2491055_35.jpg
— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 12:50:13 AM | | Votes: 1

a better comparison:

http://www.autocult.com.au/img/gallery/full/CARmageddon2014.jpg

http://photos.ebizautos.com/5134/2729403_10.jpg

yes, the photos show similarities, but the view while sitting inside is just different. at the end of the day, i do not believe too many people truly considering a 57 (to drive themselves) cross shopped an s430, s500, s55, or even s600. s65 on the other hand, possibly, but only due to the price point. for anyone to pay that much for an 's-class' is not your everyday s-class buyer. but i dont have the marketing stats to confirm, of course.
— dbs600old (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 1:38:00 AM | | Votes: 1

Wait I have the perfect idea to save Maybach - A 1,000,000+ four door convertible!
— theoptimisticpessimist (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 2:17:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

LOL
— 07G35J (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 2:20:18 PM | | Votes: 3

I thought I was the only one that was struck by a bus by that crap!!! (Still LMAO!)
— LACMAN (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 5:31:49 PM | | Votes: 1

the 'convertible' that took its styling cues from a citroen 2cv! ROTFLMAO!!!
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 7:58:58 AM | | Votes: 1

A VW!
— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 6:55:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

WWII President Truman warned Japan to surrender

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4LcYHzc2Mk
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 8:11:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

ElStupido-- wtf does truman, and japan have to do with this?
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 8:02:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

They need to create one of those Aluminum Bodies like Audi and Jaguar, than they can base it from on the new S-Class that being the only similarity. Otherwise their own design, interior, etc. Put diamond buttons or something:s make it stand out. Latest features that are exclusive to it alone.
— jt716 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 11:04:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Yet another brand driven into extinction by Lexus. BMW, MB, and Audi are next.
— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 3/15/2008 11:21:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

HAHA! you wish. The brands not made to sell like a Bentley. It's a niche market one that isn't dominant in today's automotive industry. It's not surprising to read about this because if you fully option a Maybach it can hit 7 figures.

If you've seen a dealership and seen the options list those details add up to a hefty price tag.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 7:59:45 AM | | Votes: 1

spell, i gave you a +1. a first!
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 8:05:13 AM | | Votes: 2

"LexSucks" mused: "Yet another brand driven into extinction by Lexus. BMW, MB, and Audi are next"

A little more research is due on your part. Love 'em or hate 'em, Bangle styling or not, BMW has been wildly successful, and atypically profitable for many decades. Non-stop. Even when the previous recession hit as sank the luxury car market. Even less than a year after the Rover debacle cause billions in write-offs, BMW was in the black, and selling record numbers.

Now I'm no BMW fan. In fact I dislike their current offerings. But I have to give them credit is being extremely well managed. Truly, and by other car makers' standards and admissions, BMW is the most admired car company in the world. They're nowhere close to extinction, nor even looking in that direction.

Now that I've shown your folly with respect to this one brand, are your comments about the others even worth consideration?
— Steve (View Profile)

Posted on 3/20/2008 4:39:01 PM | | Votes: 1

Your logic is insane.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 12:55:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

MichaelTaylor, you're officially retarded.
— Monk (View Profile)

Posted on 3/17/2008 1:44:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

MichaelTaylor, talk to your friends who are actually shopping for a Rolls Royce, or a Bentley, or a Maybach, or to those who actually own one, and ask their opinion on getting a Lexus LS600h as an alternative. Don't forget to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars they stand to save.

In my experience, folks who are considering these ultra-premium vehicles are not considering how much money they'll save by selecting an alternative. Their mind is on getting what they want.
— Steve (View Profile)

Posted on 3/21/2008 9:39:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

It's about time Maybach bit the dust. It's been a useless brand since day 1 and can't compete with Rolls-Royce & Bentley. MB just brought back Maybach for their own vanity, they couldn't stand to see BMW with Rolls-Royce and VW with Bentley. ANyway, Maybach's don't look all that much different from the last generation MB S-class. ANd you can see the resemblance in the back lights to the current S-class. Why spend $300K when you can get the same look for 1/3 the cost.
— skinny (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 9:29:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

Oh, before I forget, Maybach was a fad. The fad is over, it's 15 minutes are up.
— skinny (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 9:31:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Toyota on the same level in the ultra-luxury segment? Stop with the meth. The Maybach may be over but it is for the super-rich. Do you see a Toyota in Monaco? No! That would say "you are not ready for prime time".

Someone that is "thinking"about a $300,000 car is not going to cross-shop a Toyota for $100,000, and say "I can save $200,000"! Someone that says that has no idea how things work in that end of the market.
— 1BadMan (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 1:36:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

You need to stop eating them Viagra pills w/spatula!

Who told you, Toyota = Ultra-luxury segment?

Do me a favor and remember what you stated. Check back with me in ohhh 5 years. And, you'll know what, I mean.
— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/16/2008 6:37:35 PM | | Votes: 3

the Toyota (NOT Lexus) Century was designed with RR as a benchmark. after all, it was designed to serve the Imperial Family in Japan, as well as diplomats and captains of industry.

as you'd expect when toyota sets their sights so high, it offers all the latest electric and electronic accessories, and a v12 engine.

one could say it is even more exclusive than RR and Bentley, as it is intentionally kept low volume and NOT exported. (altho' the Sultan of Brunei probably has one or two.)
— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 3/17/2008 12:32:51 AM | | Votes: -1

They couldn't sell that snooze boxy, throwback to the 1980's anywhere but style-less Japan. The Toyota Crown looks like a new Cressida.
— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 3/17/2008 4:09:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Mercedes-Benz has such a stellar, long-standing reputation and heritage that it always struck me as pointless for Daimler to try to top it by resurrecting a long-gone marque that means nothing to customers outside of the German-speaking world.

I noticed that Motor Trend magazine opined in a review comparing the Mercedes S600 and the Bentley Continental Flying Spur that a prospective customer should "forget the Maybach" and buy the S600. It was cheaper, just as well-built, luxurious without being overly ostentatious, and much more fun to drive than the Maybach.

Mercedes probably would have don better if they had developed a modern version of the classic Mercedes 600 limousine of the 1960s, combining luxury with state-of-the-art technology to make the car a true flagship just like the old 600 limo.
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 3/17/2008 4:34:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

When the Phantom came along it was pretty much over for the Maybach.
— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 3/17/2008 6:03:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

It will be very interesting to see what comes of the few cars built once the brands shuts down. They are potentially very collectible.
— DriverTom (View Profile)

Posted on 3/17/2008 8:52:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

When I first saw a Maybach, two things immeditely were impressed upon me: (1) How the interior looks like a lot of money went into it to make it look *luxurious* (are they trying too hard?), and (2) How the exterior looks like Lexus may have had some input.

It lacks the "heritage" of Rolls Royce and Bentley, and aside from a stratospheric price tag, it lacks distinction. My understanding is that it also is too reminiscent of the Mercedes S class to be perceived as an entirely different car.

I, for one, am not surprised that Maybach is not doing well.
— Steve (View Profile)

Posted on 3/20/2008 4:32:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Maybach to bite the dust? Daimler may pull the plug

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