Royal Maybach Racer

DaimlerChrysler Maybach 57S

Automotive News Europe / June 26, 2006 - 6:00 am, MADRID SPAIN - - In an effort to help anemic sales of its ultraluxury Maybach brand in Spain, DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche personally delivered a loaner Maybach 57S to the King of Spain, car lover Juan Carlos I.D/C hopes having the king behind the wheel of a Maybach will make the brand more attractive to the country's car buyers. Maybach has sold just 12 cars in Spain in the past 18 months. The king loves fast cars. In the winter, Juan Carlos likes to drive the 500km from Madrid to the Baqueira Beret ski resort in the Pyrenees at speeds of up to 170kph, above the posted 130kph limit. Fortunately for the heavy-footed royal, the Guardia Civil doesn't seem to notice. It's good to be king.