Maybach To Be Discontinued by 2013

A recent report says Mercedes-Benz has decided to discontinue its ultra-luxury Maybach brand beyond 2013.

Autoweek quotes a “high-ranking Mercedes-Benz” source as saying the decision to end production of the Maybach 57 and 62 has already been made. The insider says the replacement for both vehicles will be the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is already scheduled to be released when the Maybach production is reported to end.

The Maybach brand has seen low sales since its revival by Mercedes-Benz in 2002, and has been unable to keep up with its main rivals, the Volkswagen-owned Bentley brand and BMW-owned Rolls-Royce.

As such, Autoweek says Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche has decided not to pursue development of a future generation of Maybach models, instead aiming to focus greater attention on the Mercedes-Benz brand specifically.

Daimler is pushing its new Mercedes-Benz S-class, which will be available in three new versions, including the S600 Pullman with an extended wheelbase. The S-class models will serve as substitutes for the Maybach 57 and 62 luxury sedans. Both Maybach models were originally based on the stretch underpinnings of the third-generation Mercedes S-class, which was introduced in 1991.