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Even the super wealthy aren’t immune to the recent economic downturn, resulting in some of the world’s top tier luxury brands seeing a sharp decline in new car sales. Daimler’s Maybach ultra-luxury brand was experiencing slower-than-expected sales even before the collapse on Wall Street – prompting plenty of rumors that the marque would finally meet its end – but Daimler says Maybach is in for the long haul.
Although Daimler CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche sounded less than confident in the marque’s future when he told reports earlier this year that the fate of Maybach would be decided on within two years, Dr. Z has since told Automotive News that Daimler’s luxury brand is here to say. Moreover, Zetsche revealed that Maybach is not losing money.
But even with Zetsche new backing, it doesn’t change the facts for the brand. Maybach sales have been slow since the brand’s re-launch and Daimler only managed to sell 146 Maybach vehicles in 2007, about a tenth of the sales originally predicted for the marque. Since 2001, 40 percent of Maybach dealers have shut their doors.
The future of Maybach isn’t exactly the brightest star in the galaxy, with no new models in the pipelines. The Maybach 63 and 57 — which are largely based on the last-generation Mercedes S-Class — have continued on relatively unchanged since their launch and the limited-edition Landaulet isn’t expected to bolster sales.
But with Bugatti reportedly developing a new super sedan, it could just be the motivation Maybach needs to design a new model of its own.
LLN
Although Daimler CEO Dr. Dieter Zetsche sounded less than confident in the marque’s future when he told reports earlier this year that the fate of Maybach would be decided on within two years, Dr. Z has since told Automotive News that Daimler’s luxury brand is here to say. Moreover, Zetsche revealed that Maybach is not losing money.
But even with Zetsche new backing, it doesn’t change the facts for the brand. Maybach sales have been slow since the brand’s re-launch and Daimler only managed to sell 146 Maybach vehicles in 2007, about a tenth of the sales originally predicted for the marque. Since 2001, 40 percent of Maybach dealers have shut their doors.
The future of Maybach isn’t exactly the brightest star in the galaxy, with no new models in the pipelines. The Maybach 63 and 57 — which are largely based on the last-generation Mercedes S-Class — have continued on relatively unchanged since their launch and the limited-edition Landaulet isn’t expected to bolster sales.
But with Bugatti reportedly developing a new super sedan, it could just be the motivation Maybach needs to design a new model of its own.
LLN
In the meantime we probably get a huge load of limited special editions... 
