Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

Three years after Holden axed the Astra, the nameplate still rates higher among car buyers than even the market-leading Mazda3. More than 80 per cent of the 2.16m Australian planning to buy a new car in the next four years are still aware of the Astra badge, according to the latest Roy Morgan Automotive Currency Report. Top of the polls is the VW Golf with 82 per cent, followed by Toyota Corolla with 81.9 and then Astra on 80.3, down from a market-leading high in 2007 of 84.6 per cent. Mazda3 was the top-selling car last year, beating Holden Commodore by 817, but it rated only fourth in the survey with 75.9 per cent. The last generation Astra was imported by Holden from GM's European subsidiary, Opel, but was axed in 2009 in favor of the Thai-built Cruze. Roy Morgan spokesman Norman Morris says the high awareness of the Astra augers well for the launch of Opel in Australia this year and the return of the popular small car. With awareness being one of the key factors for purchase consideration, this is great news for Opel who will be able to focus their media spend (advertising) on unknown models such as Insignia, Corsa and Meriva," Morgan says. The Cruze, which is now made in Australia, has increased awareness from 28.4 per cent in 2009 to fifth place today with 68.8 per cent. It is followed by another rising star, the Hyundai i30, with 45.2 per cent, up from 14.7 per cent at its launch in January 2008.

...some of the highest and most rugged mountains and temperatures ranging from 50C to freezing.In the end, the mighty Mini, loosely based on the All4 Countryman, conquered the 2012 Dakar Rally which began on January 1 and finished last Sunday. Five Minis started and incredibly five finished in the top 10, including first and second.Mini was the favourite before the event with its entries prepared by the successful Frankfurt-based X-Raid company, and a collection of champion drivers, including the victorious Frenchman Stephane Peterhansel who has now won four car titles and six times on a motorcycle.The Minis cost $1.1m each and, although based on the road going Countryman costing about $40,000-$60,000, they are much higher and wider, with 16-inch wheels and a carbon body. And instead of 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine, they have a three-litre, six-cylinder turbo diesel.The only standard parts are the lights, windscreen door handles taillights. The rest is pure prototype. VW pulled out this year after winning the past three rallies, including a trifecta last year, paving the way for another manufacturer to take over.Prior to VW, Mitsubishi dominated from 2001-07 for a combined total of 12 wins over 33 years with the 2008 rally cancelled due to terrorist threats. The following year the event shifted from North Africa to South America where it has retained "the spirit of Dakar" with its rugged terrain.This year's course was claimed to be the toughest yet with man and machine tackling high temperatures of 50C and stage six cancelled because of persistent snow storms over the Andes.Entry to this gruelling event is costly with some teams spending millions on car preparation and millions more with back-up crew, trucks and spares.VW made the most of its expensive victories with substantial advertising campaigns, in particular its promotion of the Amarok pick-up which was merely a back-up vehicle for last year's rally. But don't expect the same from Mini after its win at its second attempt.BMW Group Australia head of corporate communications Piers Scott points out that the five cars were part of a private team entry, not a factory team."Aside from the car, and obvious technical assistance, I don't think there is too much in the way of an official connection to the X-raid team, besides the fact that it is led by Sven Quandt, who obviously is a son of Herbert Quandt," he said.(Quandt was a German industrialist lauded for turning BMW from bankruptcy to profit.) "Therefore, I don't think there are any plans to shout about it too loudly, but it certainly sets the tone nicely for Mini's increasing involvement in motorsport."Mini was pushed throughout this year's rally by the Hummers of Nascar legend Robby Gordon and last year's winner Nasser Al-Attiyah, and single private entry of 2009 winner Giniel De Villiers in a Toyota Hi-Lux.While the big-money Mini entry caught all the headlines, the De Villiers entry gave Toyota a surprising and much-needed boost after a tough 2011 when it slipped from the world's top sellers in the wake of the tsunami in Japan and floods in Thailand.He finished third behind the Minis, even though his machine was made to comply with next year's Dakar engine specifications. Another surprisingly successful entry was the Great Wall SUV driven Portugal's Carlos Souza, who has raced for Mitsubishi, Nissan and Volkswagen. Over a 10-year period, except for a disappointing 2010 rally, Souza has never finished outside the top 10, with a best of fourth in 2003.He finished an amazing seventh and 4.5 hours behind. The result gives the Chinese manufacturer something to smile about after the disappointing two-star safety rating it scored in the Australia New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) last year for its utilities.Dakar officials this year limited the entries to 171 cars, 185 bikes, 33 quad bikes and 76 trucks. However, only 97 motorcycles, 12 quads, 78 cars and 60 trucks made it to the finishing line. Among those was Team Latvia's OSCar eO, the event's first electric vehicle.The OSCar eO has an "engine" bay filled with 52.5kWh of batteries and is powered by an electric motor nominally rated at 210kW with a top speed of 140km/h and range of 800km. Like GM's Volt, which will be available for sale in Australia later this year as a Holden, the OSCar eO has a back-up petrol generator that charges the batteries to extend the electric vehicle's range.In this case it's a 3.5-litre V6 Nissan engine. The vehicle finished 77th or second last, but at least it finished, which is always difficult in the world's toughest motorsport event. Expect to see more electrics vehicles competing in future.The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.The bike category was an arm wrestle between KTM teammates Cyril Despres of France and Marc Coma of Spain with three wins each. They exchanged lead at almost every stage and when Despres was stuck in the mud late in the rally it looked like Coma's fourth.However, the officials deleted the time delay because other riders were diverted from the obstacle and it came down to a tight finish with Despres the victor. Argentine brothers Alejandro and Marcos Patronelli won the quad section on their Yamahas, while Dutch teams took out the top two truck positions in Ivecos.DAKAR 2012 WINNERSCARS1 Peterhansel (Fra) Cottret (Fra) Mini2 Roma (Spain) Perin (Fra) Mini3 De Villiers (S Af), Von Zitzewitz (Ger) Toyota4 Novitskiy (Rus) Schulz (Ger) Mini5 Gordon (USA) Campbell (USA) Hummer6 Alvarez (Arg) Graue (Arg) Toyota7 Sousa (Por) Garcin (Fra) Great Wall8 Leal Dos Santos (Por) Fiuza (Por) Mini9 Ten Brinke (Hol) Baumel (Fra) Mitsubishi10 Holowczyc (Pol) Fortin (Bel) MiniBIKES1 Despres (Fra) KTM2 Coma (Spa) KTM3 Rodrigues (Por) YamahaQUADS1 Patronelli (Arg) Yamaha2 Patronelli (Arg) Yamaha3 Maffei (Arg) YamahaTRUCKS1 De Rooy (Hol) Iveco2 Stacey (Hol) Iveco3 Ardavichus (Kaz) Kamaz

The two cars that stole the show for their paintwork are neither glossy or shiny. One is the Hyundai Veloster Turbo with its matte paint that the company says will not just be an attention-getter at the show, but will make it to market, at least in the US. The other is the Toyota Tundra pick-up with its sand-paper textured paint by American paint company Line-X.  It feels like rough sandpaper, but actually has a jeweled appearance. Toyota US spokesman Sam Butto says it is a one-off project that has drawn a lot of attention. The textured paint is usually applied to the tray of utilities as a hard-wearing, non-slip surface. As an exterior paint, it certainly grabs attention and may be just the sort of tough exterior appropriate for this type of recreational vehicle.  

LIKE a woman's impossibly high and thin stiletto heel, the Harley-Davidson Blackline is an impractical fashion trend. Both look great, but for the wearer/rider they are fairly impractical to wear/ride. Rather than being deterred by the discomfort, the wearer/rider sadistically is drawn in by the "look at me" factor. And riding this bad boy down the street you are bound to attract attention. As we photographed the bike near a building site, it was tools down as the workers gathered to check out Harley's latest. VALUE At $25,750 it's the cheapest Softail and so it should be as it is stripped to the bone for style. To be fair, it is also loaded up with some tasty chrome. It would be heresy to compare a Harley to a metric cruiser, but it does stand up well in value against its American compatriot, Victory (Jackpot $28,490 and Vegas $22,495-$24,495).TECHNOLOGY Speaking of heresy, Softails now come with a rev counter and gear indicator. This may not come as a great shock to riders of other bikes, but in the traditional world of Harley it's big news. Thankfully, it's discreetly included in the very small LCD screen on the single analogue speedo dial. It is powered by the same rigid-mounted, counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B V-Twin engine with fuel injection and six-speed transmission as other Softails. DESIGN Harley's Blackline is the latest model to go dark. The stripped-down and blackened Softail joins other "dark custom" models in the fleet such as the top-selling 883 Iron Sportster. It's not dark but minimalist with a "pared to the bone" look. The rear fender is bobbed over a slim 144mm tyre, the compact single headlight and speedo are tucked low into the wide FX front end, and the laced wheels are black-rimmed. At just 63cm it is also the lowest two-seater yet produced by Harley. It features a black and silver engine, shaved 18-litre fuel tank and split drag handlebars. RIDING Low seat, high and narrow handlebars, and a 21-inch skinny front tyre are a recipe for tricky handling. Harley couldn't have made the task any more difficult if they had put it on roller skates. A big front wheel requires a wide handlebar to turn it. Thankfully the rear tyre is narrow so it turns a lot better than expected.After a while you settle into the groove of the machine, slow down, acknowledge the envious looks from passersby and plug into the throb of the engine. Like a stiletto, it doesn't become any easier to handle and pretty soon you are taking a break to ease your aching back. That's when the crowd will gather to admire the Milwaulkee metalwork.Harley-Davidson FXS BlacklinePrice: $25,750 (+ $400 for two-tone paint)Warranty: 24 months (unlimited km)Service: 1600km/8000kmEngine: 121Nm, 1584cc air-cooled, Twin Cam 96BTransmission: 6-speed cruise driveEconomy: 6.72L/100km (urban), 4.36L/100km (highway)Dimensions (mm): 2362 (L), 610 (seat), 1689 (WB), 133 (clearance)Tyres: MH90-21 54H; MU85B16 77HWheels: 21 x 2.15"; 16 x 3"Fuel: 18.9 litresWeight: 310kg

Santa Barbara, California, is the home of liposuction, boob jobs and Botox ... so the lighter, pumped-up and cosmetically updated Mercedes-Benz ML 63 AMG is right at home. The glitzy seaside city was the site for the world launch last week of the fifth AMG to get the smaller but more powerful 5.5-litre V8 engine. Here the high-performance SUV is in its element with the beautiful people.The good news for Aussie beautiful people is that when it arrives in June it will be more agile, more powerful, more efficient, slightly less ostentatious and probably about the same price.VALUEMercedes-Benz spokesman David McCarthy says there will be "little or no change in price and if it does go up it will have a lot more kit". The current price is $175,815 which places it under its main rivals: BMW X5 M ($178,200) and X6 M ($185,400), Range Rover Vogue supercharged V8 ($202,800) and Porsche Cayenne turbo ($248,600). In terms of value, the third-generation AMG SUV now sits closer to the BMW for driving dynamics and closer to the Range Rover for comfort.TECHNOLOGYEveryone is raving about this new bi-turbo engine, which is smaller in capacity, but has the most power and torque in its class while also being substantially more economical. In standard trim it has peak output of 386kW/700Nm, but with the optional performance package that increases turbo pressure, they rise to 410kW/760Nm.Fuel economy in both forms is now 11.8L/100km on the combined cycle, which is a 28 per cent improvement. It also now comes with an engine stop/start system to save fuel in commuter traffic. But the tech upgrade that raises the ML to new heights in dynamics is the new "active curve control" which uses active sway bars to resist roll in high-speed cornering.It is packaged with a new sports-tuned air suspension with adjustment for comfort and handling. The seven-speed automatic transmission now has a quirky double-declutching function for downshifts which blips the throttle and smooths out the cog changes just like a racing driver. But it retains the torque converter for more than three-tonne towing performance.STYLINGThe "braces" are off and the AMG now looks all grown up. The previous model featured a snarling grille that looked like it was wearing braces. This has been replaced by a more sombre look with darker materials and a three-pointed star with less "bling". Changes to its smile are reflected in more muted styling throughout, from the matte silver chrome apron up front to the discrete quad tailpipes at the rear. Inside, the luxury materials have been upgraded, the layout has been finessed and there is more choice for buyers, including formalising its bespoke operations at the factory.SAFETYIt's packed to the rafters with safety gear as we have come to expect with Benz. The active curve control feature should also be considered a safety feature as it keeps all four wheels on the ground in corners. There are up to nine airbags, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, a drowsiness detection system, tyre pressure monitors and it even automatically dabbed the brakes as a caution as we approached a cyclist from behind.DRIVINGThe canyon roads through the hills behind Santa Barbara are among the best I have ever driven. They are smooth and twisty with a wide variety of corners and dramatic semi-arid scenery. Our test drive in the ML 63 AMG highlighted the eerily flat handling characteristics of new active curve control technology and the smooth and quiet ride. It's the perfect blend of handling and ride for this type of vehicle. However, it didn't like the concrete joins in the highway, so it may not adapt too well to Australia's bumpier, coarse-chipped roads.The extra power in the performance pack is hardly noticeable, but the extra torque makes it leap off the line. That is, when the turbo has finally kicked in. Overtaking is troublesome with the turbo lag and then sudden boost making it difficult to judge just how close to go to the vehicle in front before swinging out to pass. The steering lacks feel and feedback, while pulling strongly back toward centre. Cornering is a joy with sharp turn-in and more rear feel from the 60 per cent torque split biased to the tail. Yet it doesn't fire as strongly from the apex of the corner as the X6 with its split rear diff.VERDICTIt may be the cheapest of the performance SUVs, but it sits right up there for driving dynamics and luxury with a near-perfect balance of handling agility and comfortable ride. As AMG boss Ola Groeneveld says, they have hit "the sweet spot". Benz has just about run out of current ML 63 AMGs in Australia and McCarthy reports there is already an order for 40. Expect these to sell like hot cakes among the Botox set.MERCEDES-BENZ ML 63 AMGOn sale: JunePrice: about $175,000Engine: 5.5L biturbo V8, 386kW/700Nm (410kW/760Nm)Transmission: 7G-Tronic Speedshift auto, AWD (60/40) Fuel economy: 11.8L/100km (combined)CO2: 276g/kmDimensions: 4817mm (L), 1940mm (W), 1750-1813mm (H), 2915mm (WB).

But Mercedes-Benz is the first to consider the acoustics when building the body. Since 2006 Benz has been working with American hi-fi company Harman to incorporate speaker chambers into the body in white. The result is the FrontBass system in the new SL due in Australia before the end of the year with prices from about a quarter to a half a million dollars. It will also be rolled out in future Benz models. Harman used computer simulation software called Virtual Acoustics to optimise the body and chassis for its acoustics even before the first prototype vehicle was built. Harman senior acoustics expert Arndt Hensgens says they were able to evaluate it using binaural reproduction technology with engineers listening to the audio system in a "virtual SL". "It meant that we were able to start with fine-tuning from a very high level with the first real prototype," he says. The FrontBass system features two 150-watt woofers in the bulkhead of the car, using it as a resonator. It will be standard in the SL with the base audio system as well as an optional 600-watt, eight-speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system with 5.1 surround sound or a 900-watt, 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen system. Hensgens says the project presented several challenges, including reserving the crash safety and stiffness of the chassis. He says the FrontBass system produces distortion-free bass that the driver and passenger can feel, but without the trim rattling as it does with other car bass speakers. It also means that reinforcements used in door-mounted speakers are not needed and placing the woofers in the footwell allows more space for other speakers around the cabin at optimum levels for the ear. "This focuses the sound," says Hensgens. "Sound engineers are working under very tough conditions with open-top cars," he says. "With the roof down, virtually all resonance is destroyed. The music is literally blown away by the wind." Another benefit is that the sound won't annoy passers-by when the roof is closed because there are no bass vibrations in the doors. Because the exhaust runs close to the bulkhead, the speakers are able to withstand up to 96C. They are also watertight and isolated from electro-magnetic interference.

IT should be possible for me to commute to work and back home again for less than 50c and save the world some greenhouse gas. The Vmoto e-max 110S electric scooter has a reported range of about 60km which is 10km more than my daily commute and it only costs 50c to charge the battery.  On paper, it's a possibility. Unfortunately, it's impossible because the scooter is limited to 60km/h roads yet between work and home there are several roads over that speed. It also drops to an unworkable 10km/h on hills.  Perth company Vmoto has been importing the e-max 110S since January and only sold about 60 of them, but Raymond Rooney, director of RS Distribution, the Australian distributors of Vmoto scooters, says the rocketing price of fuel will change that. "It's the future. I think we're a little bit away from it, but it's a lot closer now," he says.  Vmoto has dealers in all states and Rooney says they are getting a lotof inquiries and interest. They just now have to convert that interest into sales.  VALUE  It's listed at $3999 and it works out to about $1 for every 100km travelled, so it should be a cheap commuting option. The e-max 110S is rated as a 50cc scooter so it can be ridden on a normal driving licence in Queensland and Western Australia. Riders in other states will have to go to the extra expense of a bike licence.  TECHNOLOGY  It is laid out like a normal scooter with the 4000 watt motor driving the back wheel. There is a 1000 watt charger under the seat and it takes up to six hours to charge the bike from empty to full on AC mains power. The layout of the controls is also very typical of a scooter except for the reverse and boost buttons.  Reverse is a simple addition to an electric scooter as it just reverses the polarity of the motor. Press and hold the reverse button while using the throttle and it works up to 3km/h. The boost button provides three power settings: eco, normal and max.  Normal or eco modes reduce the power of the battery and the top speed to a claimed 45km/h. Boost makes it accelerates a bit stronger with a claimed top speed of about 75km/h.  DESIGN  It looks like a normal scooter and that's a good thing. The front headlight display is almost Ducati 999 in style. Quite Italian and chic. Underseat storage is limited to a small backpack or you can use it to haul the charger with you to work. There is no glovebox like most scooters, but it does have the conventional luggage hook for a small bag of groceries. It comes with both a side and centre stand which is easy to deploy.  RIDING  Forget the modes. Keep it on boost all the time or you won't keep pace in the traffic. I weigh 75kg and the scooter struggled to haul my weight up any incline even in boost. Top speed is a claimed 45km/h but even in boost I could only manage 40km/h on the flat and it took 16 seconds to get there.  The reverse feature is a strange addition, but I suppose it has its uses if you have parked downhill, nose into a gutter. The best thing is it's quiet. So quiet they have included a beep for the indicators so you don't forget you have left them on.  The problem of range anxiety is not alleviated by the "fuel" gauge which rockets from full to empty if you point it up hill and then goes back to full when you go down hill. If you do run out of juice, you get a "Stop scooter battery empty" message and if you have been using the boost button on a hot day you could also get a "Error high temperature" message when electronics overheat.  Then you have to wait and cool your heels while the scooter cools its electronics. The plush suspension copes exceptionally well with potholes and it doesn't bump-steer or twitch like other 13-inch-wheel scooters. The disc brakes have good feel and are more effective than they need to be.  VERDICT  Electric vehicles may be the future, but they will have to be more powerful than this. However, it makes good sense in a gated community or small village where there is not much traffic. Here, it will be appreciated for its chic looks and quiet motor. Vmoto e-max 110S scooter Price: $3999 Warranty: 2 years Service: 500km/5000km Battery: 48V/60Ahs Charge time: 4-6 hours Motor: 4000W electric Range: 170km at 25km/h; 90km at 45km/h Brakes: discs Tyres: 130/60 13; 130/60 13 Dimensions: 1920mm (L), 720mm (W), 1140mm (H), 1385mm (WB)

THROWING your leg over the Moto Guzzi V7 Classic throws you back to simpler times - long before Facebook, email and plasma screens. Motorcycles were simple machines with an engine, wheels, handlebars and nothing else. Manufacturers have now found that nostalgia never ages and companies with long histories are plundering their back-catalogue for inspiration. The modern Guzzi V7 owes a lot in basic design and layout to the 1960s V7 with its transverse V-twin engine and shaft drive, but that's where it stops. VALUE At $13,990 the V7 sits between its main modern classic rivals, Triumph Bonneville ($12,490-$13,990) and Ducati GT 1000 ($17,990-$18,990). Its value is in its maintenance-free shaft drive and attention to build quality and details such as a lockable petrol cap and braided lines. Plus Moto Guzzi has thrown in for a limited time a free centre stand, rear chrome rack and windscreen normally valued at $1700. TECHNOLOGY Like the 1960s V7, the modern model is a naked shaft-drive bike with a bench seat, wide bars and a 90-degree V-twin engine. Unlike the original V7, it has Brembo disc brakes, Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection and Marzocchi forks. So while it may look like a well-restored classic, it goes, turns and stops like a modern bike. The 744cc, four-valve V-twin only pumps out 35.5kW of power, but torque is a healthy 54.7Nm. DESIGN Spoked wheels, big rear fender, single front disc, twin shocks, single headlight and twin clock-shaped instruments are the hallmark of classic uncluttered design. Add to that the shaped tank, the deep chrome and the excellent build quality and you have a beautiful bike. Modern touches include the small LCD screens in each instrument "clock", the Moto Guzzi logo that lights up on the instruments, the Brembos, braided lines and smooth EFI. While Triumph kept the traditional carbie shape for its EFI unit, Guzzi at least retains a manually operated fast-idle lever on the handlebar that looks like a traditional choke. RIDING All Guzzis have that "torque effect" of slightly rocking sideways with the throttle. It is less pronounced now, easy to get used to and a quirky characteristic that no true Guzzi fan would be without. The EFI is very smooth from idle, making tight maneuvres, commuting and roundabouts a breeze. Despite a single disc up front there is plenty of stopping power and a lot of progressive feel through the braided lines to the lever. Its suspension seems better sorted than both the Trumpy and Duc, and the 18-inch front wheel retains the tradition of the 19-inch Bonnie while almost reaching the nimble turn-in of the GT's 17-inch wheel. The narrow 130 rear tyre also helps with turn-in. Touring is easy with the comfortable riding position, stress-free engine, no-fuss five-speed transmission, 19.5-litre fuel tank giving almost 400km of highway range, no-maintenance shaft drive and the addition of the free windscreen and rear rack. However, the free centre stand is a strange inclusion on a shafty. It adds needless weight. The low seat height and light weight make this bike suitable for shorter riders, although the clutch is a little heavy for some. A big surprise is that my knees don't hit the cylinder heads like on the old V7 or Le Mans models. However, you do still feel the heat off those heads. Pillions will love the comfortable seat and long reach to the set footpegs thanks to low mufflers. VERDICTIt looks gorgeous, has great build quality, will commute, handle and tour. A perfect package for those who like simpler motoring.Moto Guzzi V7 ClassicPrice: $13,990Engine: 744cc, 4-valve, fuel-injected V-twinPower: 35.5kW @ 6800rpmTorque: 54.7Nm @ 3600rpmTransmission: 5-speed, shaft driveDimensions (mm): 1449 (wheelbase), 805 (seat), 182 (clearance)Suspension: Marzocchi 40mm telescopic forks, swingarm with 2 pre-load adjustable shocksBrake: 320mm disc (front), 260mm disc (rear)Wheels: 2.50 x 18 (front), 3.50 x 17 (rear)Tyres: 100/90 18, 130/80 17Dry weight: 182kgFuel tank: 19.5L (inc 2.5L reserve)

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show. Instead, Mazda3 won the 2011 title by just 812 vehicles. Holden boss Mike Devereux admits they could have "done things" to win, but says that is not their goal. "Our goal is to be solidly profitable over the long term," he says. "We need to be a future-proof business.  "If market share comes, it comes from a solid business.  "Our main aims are to take care of our customers and make profits. Market share is just an outcome.  "Mazda3 was number one by just 600 units. Do you really think that at the last minute we couldn't have done something about that! "But we have a long-term plan.  "We are proud to have two of the top-selling cars and they are made in Australia (Commodore and Cruze)."

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show. Speaking at Detroit motor show, Mercedes-Benz sales and marketing boss Joachim Schmidt says purchasing the failed uber-luxury brand was an error. Now the German car manufacturer will compete against Rolls-Royce and Bentley with three of its own S-Class models in the next few years, he says. Maybach was started as a German luxury car manufacturer in 1909 and was revived in 1997 when it was bought by Daimler. However, the global financial crisis took its toll on the prestigious brand and Daimler announced in November that Maybach would cease in 2013. Admitting the purchase of Maybach was a mistake in the first place, Schmidt says the brand rallied last year, selling 210, up almost a fifth. Over the whole ownership period, only 3000 Maybach were sold. "At the end of the day we have broken even on the Maybach project," he says. "Maybach will continue until 2013 when we bring in the new S-Class. We will have three S-Class variants with the potential to attract Rolls-Royce customers." He says he does not believe it is not a stretch for the company to produce vehicles from the light class, through to Roller status.