No, it won't start any war, it just shows that even if they're making ugly cars, they're still Nr. 1 in the world. Others claim they make pretty cars, yet they cannot match BMW.

It only shows that design ain't the most important thing like many think.

But that's not the subject of this thread.

Mwa ha ha... I was joking Sash ...you know I appreciate what BMW has been doing. I don't really know if it can be said that design is the most important thing ...but in the global consumer culture we live in, it is immeasurably important nonetheless.

I think it is fair to say that design has played a major part in the recent sales success at BMW. Bangle and his team have attracted a lot of new customers to the brand.

Sure, it IS important, but not MOST important. That's what i've been saying ever since i've joined GCF. Still think so and always will.

But let's not talk about that, pathetic sales of Maybach are the subject of this thread.

^ but can I just add that I agree with you from a car-lovers point of view ....a car is much more than its appearance ...that is true -- but for a car to be truly great, it must also have some kind of aesthetic presence too.

To a BMW aficionado like yourself, the technical aspects of the machine may be of primary importance ...but for the majority of consumers, the decision will be based on emotional and aesthetic/intangible aspects of the brand -- how it feels and looks, the way the doors sound when they open and close, the way the switches feel when you press them, and the culture of the brand-- all these things play an important role in the overall "feel" of a product -- BMW, like its competitors, treats these things with vital importance.

Agreed!

Thats the truth homie

Yep Rob, those are the things I love about a Mercedes, and German cars in general. Hell all European cars. The overwhelming majority of American and Japanese cars just miss out on these nuances.

M

Or it didn't sell because prospective buyers felt that normal S-Class would do the same job for less money.

This should be a kick in the ass to get MB to re-do the Maybach, but please, let's make it original and not a custom S-class.

Yeah, that probably accounts for a proportion of lost sales ....but I think many potential Maybach buyers have bought Rolls-Royces and Bentleys too.

Raman is on the right track, the Maybach brand is certainly not dead yet, the brand is very healthy, they just need to get the product right ...and then I'm sure things will quickly turn around.

Personally, I don't think the Maybach is ugly, when it was first launched I was genuinely excited about it.

I still suspect the Ocean Drive Concept will be a new Maybach model.