Photo: Catalin Garmacea
The re-vamp of the Maybach name under a more direct approach from Mercedes-Benz might’ve had some people worried but not those in the higher hierarchies of Rolls-Royce. As expected, the officials are now claiming that the Mercedes-Maybach name poses no threat to the cars made in Goodwood.
In a recent interview for Car Advice, taken in Austin, Texas, the head of communication for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in North America, Gerry Spahn, said that they do not view the double M badge as a direct rival.
Even if the price tags might be close when it comes to comparing a Ghost to a top-spec Maybach, according to him, it’s not relevant as the RR cars are not about price tags since their owners don’t look at purchasing one as a financial decision.
Basically, as he puts it, a Ghost or even a Phantom is as relevant financially as a jacket is to you. The true competition for the bespoke vehicles are in a completely different league and usually have close to nothing to do with the automotive industry.
“Our competition is not necessarily vehicles, I can say airplanes, yachts, real estate, art, that’s where we are competing with. Our owners are putting down $20 million on a yacht. They may want to buy one or two Rolls-Royces to go along with it. Our average owner has seven cars,” he was quoted as saying.
Of course, being courteous as a gentleman always should, Spahn did acknowledge the fact that the Maybach cars are good overall but buying such an expensive car usually doesn’t have anything to do with the price tag but more to do with personal choices. If someone wants a Maybach for its pedigree, they will get one, it’s not even a choice between the two brands.
Under BMW ownership, the Rolls-Royce brand received a lifeline, sales increasing dramatically over the last years, when they went up nearly tenfold.
Even if the price tags might be close when it comes to comparing a Ghost to a top-spec Maybach, according to him, it’s not relevant as the RR cars are not about price tags since their owners don’t look at purchasing one as a financial decision.
Basically, as he puts it, a Ghost or even a Phantom is as relevant financially as a jacket is to you. The true competition for the bespoke vehicles are in a completely different league and usually have close to nothing to do with the automotive industry.
“Our competition is not necessarily vehicles, I can say airplanes, yachts, real estate, art, that’s where we are competing with. Our owners are putting down $20 million on a yacht. They may want to buy one or two Rolls-Royces to go along with it. Our average owner has seven cars,” he was quoted as saying.
Of course, being courteous as a gentleman always should, Spahn did acknowledge the fact that the Maybach cars are good overall but buying such an expensive car usually doesn’t have anything to do with the price tag but more to do with personal choices. If someone wants a Maybach for its pedigree, they will get one, it’s not even a choice between the two brands.
Under BMW ownership, the Rolls-Royce brand received a lifeline, sales increasing dramatically over the last years, when they went up nearly tenfold.
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