Mercedez Benz News Maybach Says Farewell In 2013

[William Maley]

According to high ranking sources at Mercedes-Benz that spoke with Autoweek, the decision has been made to let Maybach go in 2013.

The not surprising news comes after decade of Maybach selling two models, the 57 and 62, and seeing disappointing results year after year.

“We’ve come to the conclusion that it is better to cut our losses with Maybach than to continue into an uncertain future with a brand that has failed to live up to original sales expectations," the source said.

Earlier in the year, Mercedes-Benz was in talks with Aston Martin about jointly developing the next Maybach. However in September, the deal fell through.

So, what will replace Maybach?

"Plans are already in place to fill the void left by the axing of the Maybach 57 and 62 with the next-generation S-class, which will be offered in three wheelbase variations and six different body styles, including a top-of-the-range S600 Pullman,” the source said.

Source: Autoweek

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[smk4565]

I like this, they can make the S-class more upscale and cement it as the best car in the world.

[Camino LS6]

Way overdue.

Maybach was an overpriced turd with no reason to exist.

[Robert Hall]

The funny thing is the only two times I've ever seen Maybachs the were in use as hotel limos...once at the Luxor in Las Vegas, and once at a hotel in Beverly Hills.

[balthazar]

'Rebadging' doesn't work, and neither does using the platform of a car that costs 25% of the model you're pushing.

Or so it's been said.

[Camino LS6]

S-class with love handles...

[67impss]

Real em in guys

[Drew Dowdell]

Putting a "classic" grill on an S-Class doesn't make it a Maybach. And in spite of any mechanical differences under the skin, that is exactly what it looked like.

In other news: This isn't an Imperial.

[balthazar]

>>"So, what will replace Maybach?"<<

Why would they strive to replace a segment failure with another? Oh wait- it's mercedes, where no segment shall go unoccupied.

"A car for every purse or purpose", ALA General Motors... just 90 years later.

Edited November 26, 2011 by balthazar

[Drew Dowdell]

The badge doesn't matter. A $300k S-Class won't sell no matter what name is on the dealership door. It shares a platform with a $45k taxi cab after all....

[smk4565]

When the Maybach first came out it was quite impressive, and in a lot of ways it still is. But after nearly 10 years on the market it has gotten dated. And you could argue that they never really needed Maybach in the first place since they have the S-class. The demise of Maybach is good news for the S-class because they can expand the range and offer more.

[67impss]

The badge doesn't matter. A $300k S-Class won't sell no matter what name is on the dealership door. It shares a platform with a $45k taxi cab after all....

This^

[balthazar]

The maybach ALREADY IS an "expanded range" badge-engineered s-class (with a 1970's 2-tone paint job)... mercedees already plops $15 grand on the hood of s-classes; they are not going to add a handful of maybach features to the s-class and jack the price back up to $375K - it's already failed. I strongly suspect the cheap platform is at fault.

mercedees need to put the money into their core models and stop chasing every niche known to autodom. They've lost the vast bulk of their lead in the core segments due to frittering away funds on pipe dreams & ego strokes.

Edited November 27, 2011 by balthazar

[smk4565]

mercedees need to put the money into their core models and stop chasing every niche known to autodom. They've lost the vast bulk of their lead in the core segments due to frittering away funds on pipe dreams & ego strokes.

The E-class is the #1 selling mid-luxury car in the USA, and the C-class is the #2 seller in entry luxury. The S-class outsells its competitors in the U.S. also. Globally, they sold 323,000 E-classes in 2010, I don't see their lead in core segments dropping. Mercedes had it's best year ever in 2010, and is looking better in 2011. They are fine, actually more than fine, their 125th year of selling cars was their best year.

And about a $300k S-class, they already factory build the S600 Pullman Guard that sells for over $1.4 million.

[smk4565]

The haters are just jealous because no American car company can get close to the S-class, let alone a $500,000 Maybach. And really a $500,000 sedan is pointless; Mercedes is almost doing a service by not letting rich fools spend that much money on a car.

[A Horse With No Name]

Way overdue.

Maybach was an overpriced turd with no reason to exist.

Very true

[A Horse With No Name]

The haters are just jealous because no American car company can get close to the S-class, let alone a $500,000 Maybach. And really a $500,000 sedan is pointless; Mercedes is almost doing a service by not letting rich fools spend that much money on a car.

Money isn't the whole determiner in a car...the Lexus supercar sucks in comparison to the others, yet it is much more expensive than many.

[smk4565]

The haters are just jealous because no American car company can get close to the S-class, let alone a $500,000 Maybach. And really a $500,000 sedan is pointless; Mercedes is almost doing a service by not letting rich fools spend that much money on a car.

Money isn't the whole determiner in a car...the Lexus supercar sucks in comparison to the others, yet it is much more expensive than many.

While I would mostly agree on the Lexus, it does do the Nurburgring in like 7 minutes 14 seconds (with Nurburgring package). So it has that going for it. The Maybach is dated now, but it still a good car. Probably not worth what it costs, but part of the reason to buy that car is to flaunt how wealthy you are. I don't think Mercedes needs Maybach though, they have the S-class, so I agree with the decision to cut the Maybach brand.

[Drew Dowdell]

the S-Class is not at the level of Bentley and Rolls.