Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Zetsche: Maybach "not significant or relevant," but a facelift is coming anyway]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/zetsche-maybach-not-significant-or-relevant-but-a-facelift-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/zetsche-maybach-not-significant-or-relevant-but-a-facelift-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/15/zetsche-maybach-not-significant-or-relevant-but-a-facelift-i/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2010 Maybach Zeppelin - click above for high-res gallery

Maybach's 2009 sales through the first eleven months of this year have declined about 20 percent. That's at the kinder end of the industry average, all the more impressive because the "cheapest" one starts at $358,000. The part that's not so kind is the actual number of sales: 88, versus 110 last year.

Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche has told Autocar that there's a facelifted Maybach on the way, but his comments sound like those of a player ready to get out of this game. With an aside that he thinks luxury buyers are becoming more discreet, he admitted that Maybach's addition to the company "is not significant or relevant" and "there are no plans in the long run." Correct us if we aren't remembering correctly, but last we checked Dr. Z wasn't the kind of guy to leave dead weight hanging around.

This is just speculation, but assuming he spoke of Rolls-Royce when he said "there are only two players in this market and we are one of them," (apparently Bentley's Mulsanne doesn't move his needle) perhaps Zetsche sees the top tier luxury race needing only one Maybach hit or a Rolls stumble to even up. Rolls sales have fallen 18 percent this year, but that's from 407 to 330. On the other hand, Zetsche's unwillingness to commit to saying a new Maybach is on the way makes us think you should get one while you can. Or not. Hat tip to Williem D!


Gallery: Maybach Zeppelin


[Source: Autocar]

Zetsche: Maybach "not significant or relevant," but a facelift is coming anyway originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dieter ZetscheDieterZetschemaybachmaybach 57Maybach 62Maybach landauletMaybach ZeppelinMaybach57Maybach62MaybachLandauletMaybachZeppelinzetscheTue, 15 Dec 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Thus sprache Zetsche: Maybach not going anywhere]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/thus-sprache-zetsche-maybach-not-going-anywhere/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/thus-sprache-zetsche-maybach-not-going-anywhere/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/09/thus-sprache-zetsche-maybach-not-going-anywhere/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Maybach 62 Landaulet

Seemingly nothing - not the credit crunch, not miniscule sales, not its own lengthy, lugubrious looks - can kill the Maybach. People who have wondered how long Mercedes will keep dishing out tiny servings of the enormous cars can wonder no more: top guy Dieter Zetsche has said Maybach is here to stay, and that the brand "is not losing money."

We don't know how a division that moved just 146 cars last year, even if they start at $372,000, isn't losing money. But the $1.35 million Landaulet should help things, and to be to be fair, Zetsche has said before that Maybach's profitability or otherwise is not the issue - the car is a suitable competitor to Rolls-Royce and Bentley. And Daimler has demonstrated patience: it waded through the rough times with the smart car division for ten years, and now has black ink and a hot brand to show for it.

Gallery: Maybach 62 Landaulet


[Source: Automotive News via eGM Car Tech]

Thus sprache Zetsche: Maybach not going anywhere originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above to view the Maybach 62 Landaulet in hi-res

Okay, it just hit us: eccentric. That's what the Maybach 62 Landaulet is, in a word. In fact, you could apply that to the whole Maybach venture. Like Dennis Hopper said in the Keanu-tastic action flick Speed, "Poor people are crazy, Jack. I'm eccentric." Daimler is evidently hoping that there are enough "eccentric" people in the United States to warrant bringing over the head-scratchingly-strange Maybach 62 Landaulet to the American market.

With trepidation and a considerable measure of revulsion, we've covered the emergence of the Landaulet from the initial rumor, through the preview before the car's unveiling in Dubai (where else), the first video footage, its North American debut and its eventual production confirmation. It's been a long and crazy wind-tousled process, and now comes confirmation that it's coming our way. Oh, and the price? Ultimately confirmed at $1.35 million. That's not a typo, and it's higher even than the highest estimates we received previously. In case you, like us, are wondering who would spend that kind of money on a convertible version of a car that ordinarily costs (an already exorbitant) $433,750, ask Hans-Dieter Mulhaupt, the VP in charge of the Maybach program: "The Landaulet is for a superrich individual who wants something that is extremely extraordinary and enjoys being driven in a car with acres of sky above them." There you have it: "extremely extraordinary", for a million-dollar premium. Check out the images in the gallery below...those are free.

Gallery: Maybach 62 Landaulet


[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

Maybach prices 62 Landaulet for America at $1.35 million originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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click above for more high-res images of the Maybach Lanaulet

If you'd rather be driven by a chauffeur than get behind the wheel yourself, you might want to check out the Maybach Landaulet that made its North American debut in Detroit this week. The half sedan/half convertible allows for the driver's compartment to be completely closed while the passengers in the rear can enjoy open top motoring. The sky isn't the only luxury available - passengers are treated to supple white leather seating and a full entertainment system with a DVD player 6-disc CD changer, dual television screens, and even a compartment to hold a bottle of champagne and goblets. The rear seats also recline, meaning you can lie back, listen to some tunes, and enjoy the fresh air while you sip on your drink. We'd love a test drive ride, but in some place a little warmer than Detroit.

Gallery: Maybach 62 Landaulet

Continue reading Detroit 2008: Maybach Landaulet arrives in style

Detroit 2008: Maybach Landaulet arrives in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DetroitDetroit 2008Detroit2008LandauletMaybachMaybach LandauletMaybach Landaulet ConceptMaybachLandauletMaybachLandauletConceptMon, 14 Jan 2008 11:13:00 EST