Maybach lost $500k on each whip they sold

[AltinD]

  I have no idea what you mean by this, but ok.

Development costs for the W211 E-class were 1 Billion dollars

[MrH]

Development costs for the W211 E-class were 1 Billion dollars

...but there's a hell of a lot more of them to spread out that cost.

What's your point?

[Laconian]

For the same reasons your lovely Honda felt the need to have an Acura ... or Toyota e Lexus

Mercedes has proven itself capable of legitimately selling hugely expensive cars like the SLR or SLS without having to invent new brands.

[sportyaccordy]

For the same reasons your lovely Honda felt the need to have an Acura ... or Toyota e Lexus

This makes absolutely no sense.