The company was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son, originally as a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH, and it was known as Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH until 1999.
Den blev grundlagt i 1909 af Wilhelm Maybach og hans søn. Virksomheden var oprindeligt et datterselskab til Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH og var selv kendt som Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH indtil 1912.