BYD considering taking Maybach off Daimler’s hands?

BYD E6

We got news earlier this year that BYD and Daimler AG would be teaming up to develop electric vehicles and EV-related components in China. BYD is a Chinese company and is best known for coming from a battery manufacturing background, thus giving it an advantage in the new world of electric vehicles as well as being backed by famous investor Warren Buffet.

“We continue to push ahead as a global leader in electric mobility. Daimler’s know-how in electric-vehicle architecture and BYD’s excellence in battery technology and e-drive systems are a perfect match,” said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Daimler’s Chairman of the Management Board.

Maybach Zeppelin

But apparently being in the same ‘electric bed’ has led to some more discussions and word is that BYD is considering buying Daimler’s Maybach luxury brand. Maybach hasn’t been doing very well compared to Rolls-Royce and Bentley, although I have to admit that its scarcity on the road lends it a far more superior presence compared to its rivals, at least here in Malaysia. I have never seen a Maybach with civilian plates here in Malaysia – only royal seals, while you can see lots of rich people driving Bentley Continental GTs around.

But the Maybach itself is based on a really old W140 S-Class platform – the same one as the famous Princess Diana car. It is of course updated and refined to Maybach standards but the fact remains that Maybachs still look like giant S-Classes. Rumours are that Maybach’s sole model will probably undergo one last facelift in April and then once that model runs out, it will be shut down. If BYD buys over Maybach it may be able to do something with it – a big Maybach with massive in-wheel electric motors and batteries may end up being the fastest, quietest and most advanced luxury cruiser around.

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • bryan.jones on Mar 30, 2010 at 5:07 pm

    Maybach is really pointless when Mercedes came out with the W221.

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  • umno juara tipu raky on Mar 30, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    this BYD company that our gov rejected for investment coz they dont produce 1.8 & above vehicle right??

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  • 2fast on Mar 30, 2010 at 5:44 pm

    Some of the super super rich really like the Maybach and they won't be happy if their super expensive car brand suddenly changes hand to a non-European owner. Better for Daimler to retire the brand temporarily then selling it.

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  • alpha0201 on Mar 30, 2010 at 6:27 pm

    I would prefer Maybach stay and managed by German manufaturer but BMW already have Rolls Royce and Volkswagen AG owns Bentley. That's left Opel, but unfortunately is still part of GM which they couldn't afford to buy anything considering them selling or shutting down other former GM.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
  • please gov decrease on Mar 31, 2010 at 6:53 am

    SEKARANG Hummer milik China. Volvo bakal milik China. Maybach milik China kemungkinan. BYD, Chery, Brillliance, Geely. Great Wall dengan barisan kenderaan yang dilancarkan tahun 2010. Nampaknya China cuba mengambil alih tempat US, German, Jepun dan Korea sbg pengeluar kenderaan terunggul di dunia baik scr pengambilalihan ( M&A ) mahupun secara indipendent

    Maybach satu jenama mewah yang cukup dikenali di dunia setaraf dengan rolls royce. Donald Trump pun guna Maybach dan kita leh tengok dlm The Apprentice episod akhir. Memang mewah dan selalu dibandingkan dengan Rolls Royce. Harga pun untuk yang benar2 kaya sahaja. hehe. Berkenaan BYD, nampaknya BYD betul2 mengorak langkah untuk muncul sbg pemain terkemuka di dunia dlm dunia automatif dmana berangan2 menggantikan Toyota sbg pengeluar kereta no1 di dunia dlm tempoh krg 20 tahun. Memang ia nampak mustahil tp perlu ingat segala yang mustahil bermula dengan satu impian atau angan2 yang diikuti dengan tindakan. Nampaknya BYD betul2 serius. Saya kagum dengan sejarah BYD daripada pembuat bateri biasa kepada pembuat bateri no1 dunia hinggalah skrg boleh dikatakan antara sykt yg mempunyai teknologi kenderaan berasaskan bateri termaju di dunia dari segi teknologi.

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  • Mazda 3 MPS on Mar 31, 2010 at 7:39 am

    hahaha a chinese maybach?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
 

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