Benz barge on the streets

GENEVA: The Mercedes-Benz board has reached a consensus to build a super luxury car, the Maybach, which would compete primarily against Rolls Royce.

Mercedes chief Jurgen Hubbert said a final decision on whether to start production on the Maybach would depend on external factors, such as who might buy Rolls Royce from Vickers Plc.

An important factor in the Maybach decision will be how much the market for the low-production Maybach could be expected to grow.

If the Maybach is built, it is expected to sell for about US$220,000, Mercedes said. In comparison, Rolls Royce new model, the Silver Seraph, will sell for about $260,000.