Bentley is going to take advantage of Daimler’s decision to kill Maybach brand, and introduce itself as the perfect alternative to the uber-rich.

And it’s not just some analyst’s speculation either. Bentley CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer has said that out loud: “The withdrawal of Maybach is a business opportunity for us and we’re going to use it.”

They have even started writing to people who own Maybachs to persuade them into buying a Bentley by inviting them to VIP tours of the factory in Crewe. They’re counting on people like Samuel L. Jackson, King Juan Carlos, and of course, Jay-Z, who loves his Maybachs so much he destroyed one for his Otis music video. They probably won’t contact Rick Ross though!

The Bentley Continental GT – and its Flying spur sedan version –  are already established cars among the bold and beautiful, but they’re not really in the same class as the Maybach. Bentley relies on its Mulsanne uber-luxe sedan (pictured above) to pick up the slacks then.

At $290,000 apiece, the Mulsanne offers its clients everything they would find in the Maybach, expect a few things such as the cool reclining seats, the amazing glass roof (which is now offered in the SLK as well), and the 600 horsepower of the Maybach 62S.

Rolls Royce too hopes that Maybach’s demise attract more customers to the Phantom, but they are not desperate. A company spokesman said they welcome any current Maybach customer, but: “seeking them out and hunting them down is not the Rolls-Royce way.”

Bentley on the other hand, is apparently willing to do anything to repeat their last year’s massive success.

source: autoews