Less than 24 hours after Rolls-Royce revealed it would develop a new small model, Maybach was saying it might do something very similar.

The new Rolls will be launched "within the next four years" according to chairman and chief executive Ian Robertson, and sit below the flagship Phantom. The company says it will cost between $250,000 and $380,000 before tax, depending on spec.

However, there's speculation it won't just be one car, as it was described as a "new model series" rather than a new model.

Planning permission has been granted to expand operations at Goodwood, U.K.

The Maybach news was revealed by Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the board of management for DaimlerChrysler. Asked to comment on the new Rolls, and whether Maybach might do something similar, he said: "Obviously there's some space between the price range of the current Maybach and the top Mercedes. We're looking at that and if there's a chance of filling it we have to decide if we want to. And also if it is with the Mercedes brand or the Maybach brand. However, we feel under no pressure to make that decision soon." -Richard Yarrow