Maybach brand will be discontinued in 2013
German carmaker Daimler said will stop producing Maybach cars in 2013. Credit: Getty Images
Mercedes-Benz's ultra-luxury Maybach brand will be no more starting in 2013, according to the Detroit News.
While having a century's worth of history, the Maybach marquee was revived in the U.S. market in 2003 to compete against Rolls-Royce and Bentley. During that time, the brand essentially sold only one model in two lengths: the Type 57 and Type 62. Amenities included a fully reclining rear seat, electrotransparent sunroof, rear refrigerator and standard champagne flutes.
A range-topping $1.38 million convertible variant, the Maybach Landaulet, was recently added to the lineup.
Despite the glitz, the Maybach lineup is essentially gussied-up Mercedes-Benz S-Class models. The Maybach brand also wasn't held in the same regard as Rolls-Royce or Bentley, despite its storied history.
Instead of focusing more resources on Maybach, Mercedes has decided to expand the S-Class lineup. The redesigned fifth-generation S-Class will launch later next year with six variants, according to the Detroit News. That's nearly double the option set offered today, and it will likely lead to more expensive sticker prices on the top Mercedes.
Last year, Maybach only sold about 200 cars compared with Rolls-Royce's 2,700 and Bentley's 5,100 vehicles, according to the Detroit News.
