The glitter is gone

At the Cannes Film Festival in May, Daimler presented a special edition of the Maybach 62, studded with de Grisogono jewels.

But the glitter is gone.

"We decided to go with Mercedes and drop Maybach by 2013, the year when S-Class comes" a Daimler spokesman said.

Daimler will drop underperforming Maybach luxury brand and concentrate on Mercedes Benz S-Class. Wilhelm Maybach is turning over in his grave. The death comes at a really odd time. This year Daimler is celebrating its 125th anniversary and is predicting record profits.

 Daimler hasn't made a profit on Maybach since deciding to reintroduce the legendary marque back in 2002.The brand's 57 and 62 limousines are poor sellers compared with Rolls Royce, last year, Maybach sold just 157 cars, meanwhile Rolls Royce boosted sales 171% last year to record 2,711 cars.

They blame the marque, but the reality is that Daimler has been unable to catch the essence, the heritage and the brand's values, an S-Class with steroids it's not a Maybach, neither a serious contender for Rolls Royce.

In the 1920s and 1930s Maybach was one of the most exclusive and technically advanced brands of the world, a serious contender for Rolls Royce,Isotta Fraschini and Hispano Suiza.

David LaChapelle photo with the modern Maybach was prophetic.

Maybach 62S de Grisogono

Maybach Zeppelin

Maybach DS8 Zeppelin

Maybach DS8 Zeppelin Cabriolet Spohn

Maybach DS8 Zeppelin Cabriolet Spohn

photos: David LaChapelle