Automobile introductions could be a star-studded affair. From lovely venues, and fancy dinners, to celebrities, automakers put thousands and thousands int introducing a model new mannequin. Some automakers although have been recognized to take issues to otherworldly ranges. Take the introduction of the Maybach luxurious sedans in 2002.
When Mercedes-Benz determined to mud off its Maybach nameplate for a brand new ultra-luxury automotive, it was an bold feat. Here was the German luxurious automaker trying to go after the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce with a reputation that hadn’t been seen on an car for the reason that finish of WWII.
When the automotive was lastly proven to the world in 2002, Mercedes went all out for the automotive’s introduction. Rather than have a giant introduction within the automaker’s homeland of Germany, Mercedes determined to introduce the brand new Maybach to the world in New York City.
The full introduction began throughout the pond. An occasion known as “Maybach Roll-Out” was held at a facility in Southampton, England the place a Maybach 62 rolled out and headed to the port. From there, the 62 was positioned in a specifically designed clear show case. The case and the Maybach have been then lifted and positioned onto the primary deck of the Queen Elizabeth 2 transatlantic liner, certain for New York City. It stayed there for everything of the journey. Meanwhile, Mercedes executives accompanied the automotive, staying in luxurious suites aboard the ship.
Once the QE2 arrived in New York Harbor, the fanfare began. Geysering fireboats spraying streams of water whereas the ship cruised in. While individuals throughout the harbor and the almost 2,000 individuals on board watched, crews readied the case holding the Maybach to be lifted off the deck by a cargo helicopter. Once the cargo helicopter picked up the case, a large tarp with the Maybach brand flew from the underside of the case within the wind; the tarp was rolled out like a crimson carpet and the Maybach and its case have been set down by the helicopter throughout the harbor.The Maybach 62 was formally within the U.S.
From there, you can have sworn the Pope was visiting. Flanked by paparazzi and a police escort that wouldn’t look misplaced for a world chief, the Maybach 62 was pushed via the streets of New York on a 12-mile trek from New York Harbor to Wall Street. It was actually pushed into the Regent Hotel and onto a turnstile for its official introduction to the applause of tons of of individuals and the snapping of cameras. It was actually wild shit.
Ultimately although this proved to be all for nothing as a result of the Maybach was a flop. From 2003 on, just a few hundred have been being bought a yr. The Great Recession made issues worse although and by 2009, gross sales within the U.S. had dropped to beneath 100 a yr. Meanwhile, Rolls and Bentley had been having fun with rising market share. But regardless of a refresh and totally different variations just like the Zepplin and Landaulets, Mercedes discontinued the Maybach in 2013.
But it solely took just a few years for Mercedes to make the transfer the model ought to have made within the first place: make Maybach a trim of the S-Class. By 2015, Maybach trims of the W222 S-Class have been rolling out the manufacturing unit (Maybach has additionally been was a full blown luxurious attire model). Sadly although its introduction had not one of the fanfare of its predecessor. We’ll probably by no means see any automotive introduction that elaborate once more.
Source: jalopnik.com