Mercedes-Benz

Year of foundation 1902

The Origins: Two Pioneers, Two Rival Companies
The story of Mercedes-Benz does not begin with a single founder, but with two independent visionaries who, within a short time of each other, invented the modern automobile.
Karl Benz and the "Patent Motorwagen" (1886): Karl Benz is universally recognized as the inventor of the first automobile. On January 29, 1886, in Mannheim, he obtained patent DRP 37435 for his "gas vehicle," a motorized tricycle designed and built from the outset to run on internal combustion engine power. This is considered the birth certificate of the automobile. His wife, Bertha Benz, played a key role in his fame: in August 1888, without her husband's knowledge, she took the first long-distance journey in history with a car, covering almost 100 km to demonstrate its reliability. By 1883, he had already founded his own company, Benz & Cie.
Gottlieb Daimler and the "Motorwagen" (1886): At the same time, in Cannstatt, near Stuttgart, another engineer, Gottlieb Daimler, together with his partner Wilhelm Maybach, was developing a lightweight and fast internal combustion engine. In 1886, he fitted this engine to a carriage, creating the first four-wheeled automobile. The following year, 1890, Daimler founded the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG).
The two companies, Benz & Cie. and DMG, operated as rivals in the nascent automobile market for decades.
The Birth of the Name "Mercedes"
The name "Mercedes" has a particular origin and does not derive from either of the two founding families.
Emil Jellinek: In the early 1900s, Austrian businessman and racing enthusiast Emil Jellinek bought and sold Daimler automobiles. He believed the cars had great potential but would be more successful with a catchy name.
Mercedes' Daughter: Jellinek named Daimler racing vehicles after his daughter, Mercédès. The "Mercedes" name was so successful in racing that DMG registered the "Mercedes" trademark in 1901.
The Merger and the Birth of Daimler-Benz AG
After World War I, Germany was in a deep economic crisis. The two companies, though rivals, realized that by joining forces they had a better chance of surviving and prospering.
1926: The two companies, Benz & Cie. and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG), merged to form Daimler-Benz AG. The new automobile brand was named "Mercedes-Benz." The logo combined the iconic three-pointed star of DMG (symbolizing the use of the engine on land, sea, and air) with the laurel, formerly the Benz emblem. The Golden Age and the Second World War
1930s: The newly formed Mercedes-Benz brand established itself in the luxury and high-performance segment. Models such as the famous "Silver Arrows" dominated the world of motor racing. Other highly successful models included the "Große Mercedes," a representative vehicle for heads of state and prominent figures. During the Nazi regime, the company was converted to war production. 1945: At the end of the Second World War, most production facilities lay in ruins. Reconstruction was slow and difficult, but the company managed to recover. Postwar and Innovations
The 1950s and 1960s saw a resurgence of the brand and a growing focus on safety and luxury.
1954: The legendary 300 SL "Gullwing" is launched, a sports car that made design and engineering history with its vertically opening doors.
1959: The concept of a passenger safety cell with crumple zones is introduced, a revolutionary innovation in passive safety. 1960s and 1970s: The range expands with iconic models such as the Mercedes-Benz 600, the "Pullman" for heads of state, and the W114/W115 series, also known as the "/8" (Bar Eight), which became a symbol of reliability and comfort. The modern era and expansion
1980s and 1990s: The focus shifts to a broader range of vehicles. The compact C-Class (190E) and subsequent generations of the E-Class and S-Class are born. The brand consolidates its position as a synonym for luxury, advanced engineering, and safety. Innovations such as ABS (anti-lock braking system) and airbags are introduced.
1998-2007: Daimler-Benz AG merges with the American Chrysler Group, creating DaimlerChrysler AG. The merger, however, was not a success, and in 2007 Daimler sold its stake in Chrysler, reverting to its current name of Daimler AG.
2019: To achieve greater strategic focus, Daimler AG reorganizes into three separate legal entities: Mercedes-Benz AG for cars and vans, Daimler Truck AG for trucks and buses, and Daimler Mobility AG for mobility services.
Present day and future Today, Mercedes-Benz is a global leader in the automotive industry, with an increasing focus on electric mobility, autonomous driving, and digitalization.