2004 Maybach 62

DaimlerChrysler AG attempted to buy the Rolls-Royce/ Bentley marque when Vickers offered the company up for sale. When this attempt failed (they were outbid by Volkswagen, and BMW later exercised an option to acquire the Rolls-Royce car brand) they introduced the Maybach as a direct challenger in 2002. Both models are variants of the same ultra-luxurious automobile. The model numbers reflect the respective lengths of the automobiles in decimetres; the 57 is more likely to be owner-driven while the longer 62 is designed with a chauffeur in mind. The engine is a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12, generating 405kilowatts (550.6PS; 543.1hp).

On June 26, 2002, a Maybach 62 enclosed in a glass case on the Queen Elizabeth II departed from Southampton, England en route to New York with the media and company officials staying in the luxury suites on board.

The ship arrived in New York on July 2 along with geysering fireboats and a motor boat. A helicopter lifted the car off the liner and onto a dock. It was then driven to the Regent Hotel Wall Street.