Motor Authority - blog Category: Landaulet

Despite the global economic crisis, no customers have canceled their Maybach orders but sales last year were still down on 2007’s levels. Maybach sold just over 400 vehicles in 2007 but this dropped to 300 vehicles last year, with the United States once again accounting for the bulk of sales.

"There is no visible impact of the financial crisis," Maybach's product and portfolio manager, Thorsten Lenz, told Automotive News. "We have a good order base that will last for a few months."

While Lenz’s comments appear to be peachy, the truth remains that Maybach’s sales are far below capacity, as the company’s assembly... Despite the global economic crisis, no customers have canceled their Maybach orders but sales last year were still down on 2007’s levels. Maybach sold just over 400 vehicles in 2007 but this dropped to 300 vehicles last year, with the United States once again accounting for the bulk of sales. "There is no visible impact of the financial crisis," Maybach's product and portfolio manager, Thorsten Lenz, told Automotive News. "We have a good order base that will last for a few months." While Lenz’s comments appear to be peachy, the truth remains that Maybach’s sales are far below capacity, as the company’s assembly plant in Germany has the capability to churn out up to 2,000 vehicles per year. There are also no new models in the pipeline and closest rivals Rolls-Royce and Bentley have both experienced sales levels that almost triple Maybach’s figures. Despite the gloom, there is some support for Maybach from within Daimler, the ultra-luxury marque’s parent company. According to Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, the brand won’t return a positive return on investment but that “it doesn’t matter” because it has proven that it can compete with Rolls-Royce and Bentley. The other positive is that development costs for Maybach were relatively low because both the 57 and 62 models are largely based on the last-generation Mercedes S-Class. Zetsche also claimed that the brand won’t be axed as it was not losing money. Read More

Update: Although we've known since the Detroit show that the Maybach 62 Landaulet was going into production, the details were a bit sketchy - but no more. The first examples will emerge from the Maybach Manufaktur in the third quarter of this year. No hard numbers yet, although 20 is tipped as the target. Sales price will be a bit higher than what was estimated in January - to cruise in what might be the ultimate open-top comfort, you'll need to invest €900,000 (US$1.35 million). But how can you put a price tag on the melodic symphony of a 612hp twin-turbo V12, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face - with room for a full bar... Update: Although we've known since the Detroit show that the Maybach 62 Landaulet was going into production, the details were a bit sketchy - but no more. The first examples will emerge from the Maybach Manufaktur in the third quarter of this year. No hard numbers yet, although 20 is tipped as the target. Sales price will be a bit higher than what was estimated in January - to cruise in what might be the ultimate open-top comfort, you'll need to invest €900,000 (US$1.35 million). But how can you put a price tag on the melodic symphony of a 612hp twin-turbo V12, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face - with room for a full bar and several of your closest friends? Original: Despite sales troubles in Australia and a general lack of interest in its Maybach brand, Daimler AG has chosen to go to production with its Maybach 62 Landaulet, shown first in Dubai last year, and again at the Detroit auto show. A company official noted that the display model had already been sold – a good sign that Maybach may be on to something that will actually drive up interest in the brand. The semi-topless superluxury sedan is set to go into production some time this year, although exactly when – and exactly how many units will be made – is still up in the air. Regardless, the base price of US$1.19 million ensures that only the truly wealthy will be able to get their hands on one – even if Maybach makes several hundred. Although in truth, such production numbers are unlikely, since the Maybach brand sold only 400 units total last year, according to Reuters. Recent news has not been especially kind to Maybach, with their chief rival Rolls Royce outselling them by 250%. Striking out entirely in Australia despite a record-breaking year of auto sales certainly didn’t help the brand’s image either. But the new Landaulet seems to be grabbing eyes and winning hearts at a feverish pace, so things could be looking up for Maybach in 2008 – and that’s not something many car makers can claim. The new model is based on the current Maybach 62 but adopts a sliding roof over the rear compartment. Opening and closing the roof takes 16 seconds. The Landaulet design was made popular in the early part of the century and is basically a regular sedan with a fabric roof-center that can be folded away. The car also gets a revised interior with a removable glass panel dividing the front and rear quarters. Appointments in the rear include white leather, piano lacquer and black granite surfaces. The Maybach Landaulet study is powered by an uprated version of the V12 engine from the Maybach 62 S. Thanks to twin turbochargers and water intercooling, the V12 develops a maximum output of 612hp (450 kW) from its 6.0L of displacement. This is continuously available between 4,800 and 5,100rpm, and the engine also delivers its peak torque of 1,000Nm between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. Like all Maybach models, the Landaulet also shares many of its features with its Mercedes-Benz siblings including items such as the electronic air-suspension, voice-activation control and the COMAND interface system.Maybach 62 Landaulet Study Read More

Maybach’s newest model has been revealed ahead of its world debut at the upcoming Dubai Motor Show in a couple of week’s time. The car is a new semi-convertible version of the 62 saloon that officials will be calling a concept, but a limited production run of just 20 examples is all but confirmed for early next year.

The new model is based on the current Maybach 62 but adopts a sliding roof over the rear compartment. Opening and closing the roof takes 16 seconds. The Landaulet design was made popular in the early part of the century and is basically a regular sedan with a fabric roof-center that can be folded away.

The car also... Maybach’s newest model has been revealed ahead of its world debut at the upcoming Dubai Motor Show in a couple of week’s time. The car is a new semi-convertible version of the 62 saloon that officials will be calling a concept, but a limited production run of just 20 examples is all but confirmed for early next year. The new model is based on the current Maybach 62 but adopts a sliding roof over the rear compartment. Opening and closing the roof takes 16 seconds. The Landaulet design was made popular in the early part of the century and is basically a regular sedan with a fabric roof-center that can be folded away. The car also gets a revised interior with a removable glass panel dividing the front and rear quarters. Appointments in the rear include white leather, piano lacquer and black granite surfaces. The Maybach Landaulet study is powered by an uprated version of the V12 engine from the Maybach 62 S. Thanks to twin turbochargers and water intercooling, the V12 develops a maximum output of 612hp (450 kW) from its 6.0L of displacement. This is continuously available between 4,800 and 5,100rpm, and the engine also delivers its peak torque of 1,000Nm between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. Like all Maybach models, the Landaulet also shares many of its features with its Mercedes-Benz siblings including items such as the electronic air-suspension, voice-activation control and the COMAND interface system.Maybach 62 Landaulet Study Read More