Now that Mercedes-Benz has debuted the all-new Mercedes-Maybach S600, which we know will also be had in S400 and S500/550 form in other markets, we have to address the elephant in the room.
Will it actually sell?
2014 Los Angeles Auto Show #LAAS
Although we're sure the three-pointed star has conducted plenty of market research and it has established a business case, we're curious what YOU think. As of now, there's two important things to note.
Firstly, we know that the all-new S-Class in its standard form has been nibbling away at über luxury automakers' market share. There's good reason for this. It's that damn good AND it has a boatload of the latest and greatest technology that the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce have not even dreamed of.
Second, the Mercedes-Maybach doesn't appear much more differentiated than your standard S600 in its standard trim. This is a good and bad thing. Good, because we know folks abroad and in emerging markets LOVE subtlety. Bad, because we know that the very important U.S. market wants that bit of panache and flash. The thing is though the American market has been taken down a notch or two in the global economy. We're not the end all, be all anymore.
All that considered, we're interested in hearing from you: will the all-new Mercedes-Maybach S600 sales fly HIGH or FLOP?
At least it appears Mercedes hedged its bet by not going crazy with bespoke trim, panels and what not so it — hopefully — doesn't have such a MASSIVE investment as it did with the original modern Maybach.
**The 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show photo galleries are sponsored by Lexus.
2014 Los Angeles Auto Show #LAAS
