After WW II, the situation was once again difficult for Maybach Motorenbau. Yet, the company managed to reestablish itself on the world market. The key product of this success was the MD series (MD was short for Maybach Diesel). These fast-running engines were built in a modular manner and therefore could be ordered in many different configurations - from a four cylinder to 16 cylinder one. This versatility combined with its reliability made the series a global success and it saw application in generators, boats as well as trains. Trains were to become a key segment and after the war the replacement of steam with diesel really came to fruition. Besides the newly developed MD series another engine became remarkably successful. It was not a new development in the truest sense but rather a continuous innovation based on the GO 6 engine the German Railway had been using, combined with a tunnel engine housing. The GTO 6 (the T is for tunnel) was highly successful both in Germany and internationally and powered several hundred locomotives in the domestic market alone, some of which are still in use to this very day.

Celebration of the 50-year company anniversary of Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH. Karl Maybach turns 80. He receives the Great Cross of Merit with star of the Federal Republic of Germany and in addition, he receives an honorary professor title. At this time, the company has around 2,000 employees.

On February 6, Karl Maybach dies at the age of 80. He is interred at the main cemetery in Friedrichshafen and receives an honorary grave.

1962 saw the first mainframe computer used at Maybach Motor Works.

From 1961 onwards Mercedes had collaborated with Maybach Motorenbau. This cooperation became more concrete as some products of Mercedes' large engine program were also built in Friedrichshafen starting in 1963. These connections were further strengthened and in 1966 led to the establishment of Mercedes Maybach Motorenbau. This cooperation in turn led to the creation of MTU Friedrichshafen (MTU is short for Motoren und Turbinen-Union, engine, and turbine union) in 1969. In the form of Rolls-Royce Power Systems AG, Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance is still an important hub of innovation - led by the Maybach Heritage that made this place an essential cradle of engine construction in the early 1900s.