German Car Zone

Is that a serious step of MB acquiring AM?

Glad to see they have serious extensive plans for the MM

From Mclaren_p10 at car spy shots:

Mercedes had planned to market Maybach as a high end model of it's own line, but desided to change that plan to fit a more upscale line-up. The Ocean Drive concept was concieved as a Maybach, but changed into a Mercedes at the last minute, to help push a new segment of large cabriolets, which is why Mercedes now has plans to build the Ocean Drive as a limited production model, as well as a Ocean Drive cabriolet based on the 2 door CL-Class. The Maybach line-up is set to add 2 new models to it's line-up.

The plan for a baby Maybach (Maybach 53) is now very much on it's way now, that Mercedes has desided to to go head to head with BMW's new Rolls-Royce RR4, which is based on a stretched 7 Series chassis. This new model will feature a RTM fiber glass body panels to keep weight low, and will make use of plenty of new technology that Mercedes has planned to add to there model line-up soon. The second model is slated to be a 2+2 cabriolet witha folding metal top, based ona stretched SL-Class aluminum chassis, this model will feature plenty of design cues form the Exelero Concept, but with a slight twist to it. This model as I have heard it maybe called the SSK, which harks back to Pre-War sportscar of the 1940's and 50's. This model would showcase plenty of new engineering tweaks, as well as a new unique to Maybach design language. This model will be very exclusive with a limited run of maybe 200 cars priced around $600,000. The engine of shoice for this could be a version of AMG's new twin-turbo V-8, a twin-turbo V-10, or the new twin-turbo V-12, which in my opinion it should get all of them!!!!!!

^ Very promising plans,bring it

Maybach's success, I think, really depends on the design direction they take. It's major fault was the fact that it didn't really stand out. Someone spending over $300,000 wants something that will really stand out, not something that looks like an oversized S-Class.

I think they got that lesson now

Actually there was a reason for them choosing the design direction they have gone to. Because according to Maybach there was appearantly a market for those who wanted a high end luxury car while being discrete and not shouting all over the street about it/showing off.
Guess they only covered a little piece of the puzzle with identifying the market as the majority wanted something else, more expressive and exclusive styling. Market trends and needs are uncertain and ever changing and thus hard to predict at times.

Remember the Maybach was shortly released before the Phantom. Back then the Maybach looked in my opinion pretty good next the old Rolls Royce Silver Seraph. In technologically point of view the Maybach is a far superior car than the Silver Seraph and slightly even the Phantom.
Anyway the Phantom came shortly after the Maybach. And Rolls Royce was already a very established brand within the industry while Maybach still had to prove itself. It didn't had time to prove and Rolls Royce came with a very shouting styled Phantom......well you know how the story went from there.





Just like the McLaren Mercedes SLR, a great car but unfortunate timing when it came out in the market, as it was introduced almost together with the Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari Enzo. Despite its achievement, its spotlight was taken away by their competitors. If it was released a bit more early, there weren't many cars that could be compared it to, its performance, sophistication, uniqueness. The kind of thing that could create a kind of aura around the car just like the new Nissan GT-R and Veyron presently and the Gullwing back in the past.





I've always convinced myself that sales of cars depends 50% on its exterior/interior styling and the other 50% are the more technical things like engines, suspensions, practicality etc.
By the way it's not a proven fact but more a personal gut feeling.

Cars are pretty comparable with us humans, both emotional.
We look at the appearance first.
If a very attractive girl enters a room, she gets all the attention of the guys. Everyone is interested and probably try to have conversation with her and maybe hoping for something more like a relationship.
Even she has some shortcomings, you're willing to forgive her more easily.
If a car looks good, it gets your attention first and comes in on your toplist for potential buy. Car has lacks and you're more forgiving due to its looks.



If she's normal looking girl you'd probably pass her unnoticed. Even though she has great personality but something you can't see directly and comes with time/effort to know her better. Only a few will see it and truly appreciate it.
A car that looks conservative/ordinary and doesn't really stand out compared to it's competitors won't get on your toplist that easily, it takes times and willingness. Only a few will actually end up buying and appreciate it. Alot of them are missing out.
If you don't know her well, you're less forgiving same with cars.
But if you know her better you appreciate it more.



Maybe a bit far fetched to some but that's how I perceive things.
Hopefully you'll get my point of the 50/50 dependency sales.
So if Maybach could get its designs right and up to par or exceed its competition. It should be all alright as technically the car is superb.
Hence the audience's enthusiasm of the Maybach Excelero.



I haven't really posted much in a while and now have some free time so bear with me with this long post, hehe.

Interesting information. Anything is better than nothing at this point. Maybach just needs something stunning that doesn't look anything like a Mercedes.

M

Interesting ....but if this market really wants total discretion -- why on earth would they be buying a car like a Maybach in the first place -- it's not as though the Maybach is totally anonymous.

I guess they wanted uncompromised discretion, probably wanted all the best of comfort and luxury available and yet not drawing everyone's (unwanted) attention/jealousy.

Sure the Maybach is not really that totally anonymous car but compared to something that looks like a monument like a Rolls Royce, you sure can tell the difference and also by the crowd surrounding the car.

Yeah, I do know what you mean