Most people cannot say that they have heard of the Maybach line of automobiles. That is, unless they have been looking for a vehicle in the same high luxury class as Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Today, those are the direct competitors of the Maybach vehicles. It didn't start out that way in the beginning when Wilhelm and Karl Maybach created the original line of vehicles. Hitting the market in 1921, there were various Maybach convertible and sedan models that were offered during its initial run ... (full review continues below)
Most people cannot say that they have heard of the Maybach line of automobiles. That is, unless they have been looking for a vehicle in the same high luxury class as Rolls-Royce and Bentley. Today, those are the direct competitors of the Maybach vehicles. It didn't start out that way in the beginning when Wilhelm and Karl Maybach created the original line of vehicles. Hitting the market in 1921, there were various Maybach convertible and sedan models that were offered during its initial run before World War II.
Like most automobile manufacturers, Maybach went into other areas during that time frame. Also like most, they did not recover after the war and 1940 was the last time a Maybach was produced under its original ownership. Both the Maybach convertible and sedan ceased to exist until a later time when the company would be purchased and the name reinvented by Daimler-Benz. It was 1960 when Daimler purchased the brand, but it would be much later when they placed the car line back into the hands of consumers. In fact, the first round of Maybach vehicles by Daimler was not released until 2000. The hope was that it would offer a stiff competition to the Rolls-Royce and Bentley. This was a task that Daimler had yet to complete with the Mercedes-Benz line that it focused on.
The original idea was to release the name as a line of vehicles under the Benz name. The company then decided to fully resurrect the badge and make a standalone vehicle to compete in the high-end luxury class. The first vehicle introduced was not a Maybach convertible. It was, instead, a sedan and the convertible would not be introduced until 2010. This introduction took place in Dubai.
Daimler put its best into the Maybach convertible. The Maybach 62 Landaulet was based completely on the Maybach 62S sedan while bringing back a style that had become well-loved in the years prior to World War II. The V12 under the hood puts out a massive 612 horsepower. There are such luxurious standard features as a privacy window between the front seats and rear seats. Standard features of the Landaulet put it miles ahead of even the other cars being offered under the Maybach badge.
The reintroduction of the Maybach convertible and sedan and ten years of struggling with low sales have left Daimler with the decision of whether or not the brand was profitable enough to be worthwhile. They have made the decision that they do not want to continue to produce the vehicles. The entire Maybach badge name will not exist after 2013 when the cars have ceased all production. Instead the company is going to focus time on the Benz line. They have promised even better models of vehicle to be offered under the Mercedes badge. Unfortunately, they still do not have a vehicle to compete with the Rolls and Bentley models.