Maybach 57 News

German auto and truck giant Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz cars, said on Thursday it achieved record sales and profits in 2011, but warned that earnings will be flat this year.

Daimler is shuttering Maybach in 2013 after seven years of production. In that time, the company's ultra-ultra-luxury arm managed to sell just 3,000 units, and CAR reports Daimler lost somewhere around $500,000 on each and every one of them.

What rhymes with Mulsanne? We're not sure, but we'll likely soon find out: it's been reported that Bentley is now aggressively courting former Maybach fans and owners, including rapper Jay-Z and actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Samuel L. Jackson, Jay-Z and King Juan Carlos can all expect letters from Volkswagen AG's Bentley.

The British high-end car maker is approaching rival Maybach's clients, who include the Pulp Fiction star, the hip-hop artist and the Spanish monarch, hoping to capitalize on Daimler AG's move to kill off the ultra-luxury brand.