But it probably won’t have a unique model… yet.
When the word ‘Maybach’ gets tossed around, it garners different reactions from different people. Those familiar with the early-2000’s rap scene will probably recall the name being dropped in various different songs, as the Maybach 57 & 62 models from that period were considered icons of excess and opulence. When the cars came out, parent-company Daimler thought that they’d manage to sell some 2,000 cars a year, with 50% of those purchases coming from the US.
By 2010, they sold less than 160 cars worldwide, which paled in comparison to the 2,711 sales that Rolls-Royce had garnered that same year. Just 3,000 Maybachs were made since the marque’s revival in 2002, and the last standalone Maybach rolled off the production line in 2012.
In 2015, Daimler announced that the Maybach name would be making a comeback as an ultra-luxury Mercedes-Benz sub-brand (the way AMG is), concluding that “sales chances for the Mercedes brand were better than that of Maybach.” Since then the company has revealed various Maybach-badged Mercedes variants (each some 20cm longer than the long-wheelbase S-Class), as well as a couple of concept cars (one of which we found absolutely hideous).
So the Maybach of today represents ultra-luxury, while AMG represents performance. However, AMG has their own unique products, like the AMG GT and AMG GT 4-Door. With all the parallels being drawn between them, could Maybach eventually get its own cars? The big boss, Dr. Dieter Zetsche, seems to think so.
Dr. Zetsche spoke to Autocar at a press event recently, and said that the penultimate plan for Maybach is to have it “stand on its own two feet, like AMG.” The good doctor also revealed that there are indeed considerations for Maybach to have their own bespoke model in the future – but that’s entirely dependent on whether Mercedes can build enough credibility and brand cachet around it now.
So while it sounds interesting enough that Maybach may revisit the idea of making its own cars, the numbers haven’t added up for the brand in a while. But as well-heeled buyers get reacquainted with the Maybach brand in its present interpretation, perhaps later on they’ll feel comfortable enough with the marque to consider one of their Rolls-Royce rivalling bespoke models. Just don’t make that god-awful SUV-thing, please.
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