"Earn 30 Million Won in 30 Days"... Astonishing Monthly Income of 200 Million Won Maybach Taxi

2 hours cost around 500,000 won, 10 hours about 1,000,000 won
"Mainly used for protocol or by Arab princes"

A taxi driver in Busan, South Korea, who is the first in the country to drive a Mercedes-Benz's top luxury brand Maybach for passengers, revealed his monthly income. On the 6th, the YouTube channel 'All About Jobs' shared the story of Mr. Kim Dong-sik, who operates a luxury taxi domestically. In the video, Mr. Kim said, "I have been working as a taxi driver for 20 years, and about 7 years since I started driving a Maybach," sharing the reasons for starting the Maybach taxi service and his monthly income. He added, "No one had imagined (a taxi) like this before, so it was the first in Korea," and "Mercedes-Benz Korea gave me a certificate, saying it was their first Maybach taxi." Regarding why he chose the Maybach S-Class sedan among various luxury sedans, he explained, "Because it is known as the chairman's car."

A taxi driver in Busan, who is the first in Korea to drive a Mercedes-Benz's luxury brand Maybach for passengers, revealed his monthly income. On the 6th, the YouTube channel 'All About Jobs' shared the story of Kim Dong-sik, who operates a luxury taxi in the country.
[Photo by YouTube channel 'All About Jobs']

Initially, Mr. Kim started working as a regular taxi driver, but he felt that dealing with intoxicated passengers during night shifts was not suitable for him. He then purchased a Chairman and began driving a model taxi. After research, he decided to drive a Maybach, which no one else was using as a taxi. However, he faced difficulties from the start. When Mr. Kim visited the showroom to contract a Maybach for taxi use, Mercedes-Benz Korea staff discouraged him by recommending lower-tier vehicles. But Mr. Kim said, "I won't sign a contract unless it's a Maybach," and left the showroom. After meetings involving lawyers and accountants, Mercedes-Benz Korea decided to sign a contract with him after a month.

Thus, Mr. Kim purchased the Maybach sedan, which cost about 250 million KRW including taxes at the time, for about 200 million KRW by receiving tax reductions and discounts for commercial vehicles, and started taxi operations. The taxi operation method was also different from regular vehicles. Mr. Kim said, "When getting permission for a luxury taxi, you cannot pick up passengers by raising your hand on the street," adding, "Operations are 100% by reservation, and instead of meter fares, charges are based on usage time."

The fee is 500,000 won for 1 to 2 hours per day and 1,000,000 won for 10 hours per day. Mr. Kim said, "Although the utilization rate drops," he added, "When I work 30 days a month, I earn 30 million won monthly. If I work about ten days, it's 10 million won. I also receive tips."
[Photo by YouTube channel 'Jigeob-ui Modeun Geot']

Therefore, the main places where Mr. Kim picks up passengers are airports, Busan Station, and luxury hotels. He also explained that the taxi is operated by reservation for wedding services or for escorting corporate VIP clients. As it is a luxury taxi, Mr. Kim always keeps a suit jacket in the taxi and picks up passengers dressed formally. He said, "When princes from the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia arrive, they only ride in an S-Class. So the Maybach is always booked."

The fare is 500,000 KRW for up to 1-2 hours a day, and 1,000,000 KRW for 10 hours a day. Mr. Kim said, "The utilization rate drops," but "When I work 30 days a month, I earn 30 million KRW monthly. If I work about ten days, it's 10 million KRW. I also receive tips." He added, "A prince from the United Arab Emirates once brought boxes filled with 500-dollar bills as tips." Mr. Kim said, "The vehicle maintenance cost, including fuel, is about 1 million KRW per month," and "Since it rarely breaks down, there are no expenses other than fuel." He added, "I've driven about 100,000 km without any breakdowns. I'm satisfied. Even if I buy a car again in the future, I will buy a Maybach."