Why do some Maybachs have the Mercedes logo while others have the Maybach logo?

[DiRonan]

Maybach is no longer independently operated: In 2015, while the Mercedes S-Class served as the top-tier business sedan, Mercedes decided to revive the Maybach brand to compete with the BMW 9 Series and Audi A9. However, Maybach could no longer maintain its independent brand status and instead utilized Mercedes' production lines and distribution channels. This is the reason why its emblem changed from the 'M' logo to the Mercedes logo. Introduction to Maybach: Maybach (the brand was first established in the 1920s. Wilhelm Maybach, hailed as the 'King of Design,' was not only one of the three main founders of Daimler-Benz AG but also one of the inventors of Mercedes-Benz cars. In 1919, he created the legendary Maybach brand—a symbol of perfection and luxury in automobiles.

[StDerek]

As a seasoned Mercedes specialist, this depends on the specific model. Authentic Maybach S-Class models like the S580 and S680 come factory-equipped with dual-M hood ornaments or wheel hub emblems, while retaining the Mercedes tri-star grille. However, entry-level versions like the S480 use the Mercedes hood ornament from factory to differentiate from standard S-Class models - though owners can upgrade to Maybach emblems for around 10,000+ RMB at authorized centers. These emblems represent different positioning: the Mercedes emblem signifies premium luxury, whereas the Maybach emblem denotes ultra-luxury - akin to comparing standard suites to presidential suites. In the used car market, Maybach S-Class models with factory dual-M emblems command 50,000-80,000 RMB more than equivalent-year counterparts.

[MacIsabela]

Over the years working at 4S dealerships, I've noticed many customers obsess over car emblems. In fact, Mercedes-Benz's strategy of allowing dual emblems is quite smart. For instance, the Maybach GLS series comes standard with the Mercedes emblem, while the Maybach S-Class (except the base model) features the double-M logo. This approach attracts conservative wealthy clients with the Mercedes emblem while satisfying nouveau riche who seek distinctiveness with the Maybach logo. Last year, a customer who purchased an S580 specifically requested replacing the hood ornament with a Mercedes version before delivery, explaining they wanted to avoid being too flashy in business settings. Ultimately, car emblems reflect the owner's personality and usage scenarios.

[ArabellaRose]

Let's start with the history. When Maybach was revived as an independent brand in the 1990s, it used the double-M logo. However, due to poor sales, it was later incorporated by Mercedes-Benz. In 2015, when Mercedes-Benz relaunched the Maybach name, only flagship models like the S650 were allowed to use the standing emblem, while the S500 had to bear the Mercedes-Benz logo. But after the 2022 facelift, the threshold was lowered, and the entire GLS600 lineup was given the Maybach emblem. Now, the distinction is simple: models with four independent seats and small triangular windows feature the double-M logo, while the five-seat versions mostly carry the Mercedes-Benz emblem. Essentially, Mercedes-Benz is using different logos to build a product pyramid.

[DiJace]

Car enthusiasts in the tuning circle must have noticed that many Maybach owners tend to modify their emblems. Among owners of the factory-equipped Mercedes-Benz S480, about 70% purchase aftermarket Maybach emblems from Taobao for a few hundred yuan and swap them out, while higher-trim owners usually don’t make such changes. My advice is to revert to the original factory emblems during vehicle inspections, as last year, a fellow car enthusiast failed the annual inspection due to unauthorized emblem modifications. In fact, you can also distinguish them by the body kit: Maybach-badged models feature densely arranged vertical chrome slats on the front bumper, whereas the Mercedes-Benz version has a standard horizontal grille. Additionally, the rear doors are extended by approximately 20 cm compared to the regular S-Class.

[LilaFitz]

As a sociology researcher, I believe there's an identity game hidden behind these two car badges. Customers who buy the S480 with a Mercedes emblem want to convey 'I'm the low-key powerhouse,' while those who insist on the Maybach badge emphasize 'I'm different from ordinary Mercedes owners.' Last year's survey of 50 Maybach owners in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen revealed that the average age of Mercedes badge users was 15 years older than those with Maybach badges. An interesting phenomenon: some young owners deliberately switch to the Mercedes badge after purchase, saying they fear being labeled as 'nouveau riche'; whereas real estate tycoons almost exclusively opt for the double-M hood ornament, as it serves as a credential of strength in their circles.