It was used during World War II in medium and heavy German tanks – the Panther, Jagdpanther, Tiger II, Jagdtiger (HL230 P30), and later versions of the Tiger I and Sturmtiger (HL230 P45).

As was typical practice for Maybach, the engine used a tunnel crankshaft.

Late in the war the HL234 upgrade with fuel injection was recommended by the Entwicklungskommission Panzer for use in the underpowered Tiger II tank.

[1] Approximately 9,000 HL230s were produced in total by Maybach, Auto Union and Daimler-Benz.

Beginning on 3 November 1944, they were produced at the Richard I underground factory at Leitmeritz concentration camp.