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Audi, BMW, Daimler buy Nokia's Here digital mapping business

The fight for control of Nokia's Here digital mapping service appears to have drawn to a close as a consortium of German automakers has announced a deal to jointly acquire the business from the Finnish telecom giant. As anticipated, ownership in Here will now be taken over jointly by Audi, BMW, and Daimler, beating out reported rivals bids from the likes of Apple and Uber. Here is one of the largest and most advanced digital mapping and location systems. It started out in Chicago in 1986 as Navteq before Nokia acquired it in 2007, and is now slated to change ownership again. The cloud-based service maintains high-definition digital maps for nearly 200 countries and supports over 50 languages, gathering data from users to update the data continuously. Rather than transition the service into their own proprietary technology, however, the automakers insist that it will remain open "to all customers from the automotive industry and other sectors." Ownership will be shared equally between the three companies, with "none of them seek[ing] to acquire a majority interest" in Here. For another, Here's management is promised to remain independent, and "the consortium will not interfere into operational business." Though the purchase price has not been disclosed, it is rumored to be worth in the neighborhood of $2.7 billion. Assuming it passes regulatory approval, the acquisition is slated to be completed in the first quarter of next year. The German automakers anticipate implementing the service to provide connected vehicles with accurate, up-to-date information on road and other conditions. Examples it outlines include warning other drivers of icy conditions based on outside temperature and ABS activation. It could also warn drivers of impending traffic jams, or even guide traffic through green lights in an urban environment. In the future, the highly detailed maps are envisioned to enable fully automated driving as well. Related Video: AUDI AG, BMW Group and Daimler AG agree with Nokia Corporation on joint acquisition of HERE digital mapping business Ingolstadt, Munich, Stuttgart, Aug 03, 2015 - Acquisition will secure and strengthen HERE as an independent company serving customers from all industries - Real-time maps and location based services will be the basis for the mobility of tomorrow - Transaction expected to close in first quarter 2016 Ingolstadt, Munich, Stuttgart – August 3rd, 2015.

Maybach lost upwards of $500k on each vehicle sold

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.
Even with a ludicrous price tag of over $370,000 for an "entry" Maybach 57, the brand couldn't quite recoup the dizzying $1.33 billion Daimler poured into it since its (re)inception. Rumors ignited over a possible tie up with Aston Martin that would have resulted in a range of new and attractive models, but Daimler has instead decided to snuff out Maybach altogether.
We can hardly blame them.

Mercedes-Maybach rolls out new S, GLS and EQS SUV Night Series

Mercedes-Maybach is embracing a new look for what it hopes will be a new generation of buyers — one keen to embrace its new electrified luxury models. The new Night Series will be offered on all three models in the current Maybach lineup, with the S-Class and EQS SUV variants arriving later this year and the GLS following in early 2024. While the execution off each Night Series is dependent on the model in question, they share a few common elements. Their headlights, for instance, are all embellished with dark chrome Maybach logos on rose gold trim. You'll find that dark chrome just about anywhere you'd normally spot bling, from the grille and exterior trim to the coating on the rear exhaust finishers. And then there are those wheels. I don't know what to say, quite honestly. Just look at them. And while you're at it, peep at the running boards on the EQS SUV.  While the cars shown here are quite uniform, differentiation will come in the form of finish choices and further individual customization. All three are offered with the Obsidian Black/Mojave Silver two-tone combination shown here. The EQS SUV will also be available in Obsidian Black and Manufaktur Diamond White finishes, the S-Class can be done up in various grey, black and white hues, and the GLS can be had in white or Obsidian Black.  Inside you'll find herringbone-patterned, open-pore wood with aluminum accents along with another smattering of dark chrome. The EQS SUV and GLS can optioned with with Nappa leather in two-tone Crystal White/Black Pearl or just plain Black Pearl. In the S-Class, you can do Nappa leather in either Deep White/Black Pearl or straight Black Pearl.  Look for more on the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and EQS SUV Night Series soon, with more to come on the GLS variant as its arrival draws closer.  Related video: 2022 Mercedes-Maybach S 580 walkaround