Corporations flushed with cash need to invest in innovation, not dying products. They’re dying for a reason.
Alright, this coincides with the Maybach vs RR Phantom post from last week — sort of.
Apparently Chinese billionaire Wang Chuanfu wants his company BYD to purchase the dying Maybach brand.
Allow me to entertain the two possible reasons why they may think this is a good idea: (i follow up each with what I call edward reality)
Idea/Solution 1: they think they can save it and totally revamp the brand to compete with RR (as i’ve mentioned before…going BOLD).
Edward Reality: Considering BYD is in the market of making consumer level electric cars with Mercedes, my bet is they’ll probably end up trying to throw tons of money at the Maybach brand and elevate it to a level “above” RollsRoyce, which borders on elitism…which honestly, a $667,000 dollar car pre-tax and license already sort of is.
$667,000 + TTL. Seriously BYD. Seriously. I should slap your hand.
Idea/Solution 2: They think they are acquiring a brand that they can disseminate to the mass market over time.
Edward Reality: Fail. Dear BYD, you are not LVMH (owners of Dior, Hennessy, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, TAG Heuer, to name a few for those of you just realizing a handful of corporations own all most everything we see, while making you believe otherwise through their marketing tactics).
Mercedes is already working on covering that Maybach market with the S-Class. Mercedes will feature build up, and it is the whole reason they’re axing the brand. It is too close of a market.
Now that being said. Something completely random for the sake of sanity.
Remember that picture above of the Maybach Zepplin? See that boat behind it? Yeah I like researching shit.
Its called the Alfa Nero, and it is insane.
Also found out it is for sale for $190,000,000. Perhaps the founder of LVMH Bernard Arnault should buy it. Maybe with that net worth could I even begin to consider a $190,000,000 depreciating asset. I hate to call something an asset considering it isn’t bringing in capital. Maybe I’d charter it out.
Btw Maybach doesn’t deserve a bailout. Please let it go in peace BYD. Maybe discussions will fall through naturally like Hummer and its Chinese suitor. Dont let the door hit you on the way out you over priced chevy tahoe.
Innovate or die.
