Mercedes Maybach not selling well

Executives at Mercedes-Benz are saying that it doesn’t cost much too keep the Maybach brand on the market, although dealers aren’t too happy. 70 U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealerships spent over $500,000 or £250,000 preparing their showrooms for the Maybach brand, however the car isn’t selling as well as they’d hope.

While Mercedes-Benz set an annual target of 500 Maybachs when it debuted in 2003, dealers have sold only 778 cars up until July of 2007. So what’s next for Maybach?

The Maybach 57 and 62 are both build on the platform of the old S-Class, but executives are not talking about whether the brand will blend into other Mercedes models.

There have been talks of a smaller Maybach that will be closer to the S600, although pricing will keep up with Maybach standards. There have also been rumors of a Maybach version of the GL-Class as well as a convertible based on the Ocean Drive Concept, which originally started its life as a Maybach.

The only addition Maybach has recently made is the 62 S, which is a longer-wheel-base version of the 62 that is powered by a 6.0 litre V12 that produces 604 horsepower. Starting price is $428,750.