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Mercedes-Benz axes Maybach

High ranking Mercedes-Benz sources have confirmed to Autoweek that the underperforming Maybach brand will be officially killed off in 2013. The decision to disband Mercedes-Benz’s upper luxury marque comes after a decade of disappointing sales for the Maybach 57 and 62 and a recent decision from the German car maker’s chairman Dieter Zetsche not to push ahead with the development replacement models – the likes of which were tentatively due out in 2014 – owing to what one insider describes as a “positive move to focus greater attention on the Mercedes-Benz brand” . “We’ve come to the conclusion that it is better to cut our losses with Maybach than to continue into an uncertain future with a brand that has failed to live up to original sales expectations," the insider said.

Bentley planning big model expansion

It looks like the last Bentley Brooklands (pictured) will not be the last after all We already know that the Bentley SUV is on the way shortly to take on the might of the new Range Rover, and it seems certain there’s about to be Bentley Mulsanne Speed as Bentley rolls out its ‘Speed’ moniker to its most prestigious car. But there’s more to come. When we reported the Mulsanne Speed was on its way last week, we noted that if Bentley were adding a Speed version of the Mulsanne to their range to expand it then it surely made sense to launch a Mulsanne Coupe and Convertible too.

Chrysler and Lancia brands to share products in Europe

Fiat S.p.A. aims to integrate the Chrysler brand more closely with the Italian automaker's upscale Lancia marque in Europe with the two brands likely to share products from small hatchbacks to large sedans. The appointment of Lancia CEO Olivier Francois as Chrysler brand boss is a step toward the goal, a Fiat source said.