DaimlerChrysler AG's U.S. Mercedes-Benz unit plans the first U.S. deliveries of its Maybach luxury sedans, designed to compete with Rolls Royce and Bentley models, in next year's second quarter, according to a Bloomberg News story by Jeff Green. The automaker will begin taking orders for the sedans, expected to start at less than $300,000, at 85 dealers in September, said Mercedes-Benz U.S. Chief Executive Officer Paul Halata in an interview in Detroit. The Stuttgart, Germany-based company already is selling Maybachs in Europe. Mercedes-Benz added Maybach cars to counter Bentley sedans planned by Volkswagen AG and a new Rolls Royce that Bayerische Motoren Werke AG expects to begin selling next year. Mercedes expects to sell 1,000 Maybachs a year, including about 400 in the U.S. Worldwide demand for so-called super luxury models costing more than $250,000 is about 8,500 cars, Halata said. The Maybach 57 went on sale in Germany last month for 310,000 euros ($307,500), while the Maybach 62 starts at 360,000 euros. U.S. prices have not been set, according to Halata.