On March 31, 1901 the Mercedes 35 HP, which is regarded as the world’s first modern car, was marketed. The car was designed in Germany by Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler and produced by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). The model began the Mercedes line of cars. Mercedes-Brand is one of the world’s well-known automotive brands, and is also is one of the world’s oldest automotive brands in existence.
Unlike the previous generation of automobiles, which were modified stagecoaches, the Mercedes 35 HP (above) is believed to be the first modern car. It was equipped with a 35 horsepower four-cylinder petrol engine. The two-seat car had the configuration which is typical for modern cars, with the engine installed in the front of the car and the center of mass near the ground. It was originally developed as a racing car, but later was designed for normal road use.
2/15
© AP Photo / Martin Meissner
Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz’s creation of the first petrol-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1886, and Gottlieb Daimler and engineer Wilhelm Maybach’s conversion of a stagecoach by the addition of a petrol engine.
Above: A Benz Patent-Motorwagen displayed at the Techno-Classica world trade fair for vintage, classic and prestigious automobiles in Essen, Germany.
Above: A Benz Patent-Motorwagen displayed at the Techno-Classica world trade fair for vintage, classic and prestigious automobiles in Essen, Germany.
3/15
© AP Photo / Daniel Maurer
The first Mercedes-Benz brand name cars were produced in 1926, after the merge of Benz’s and Maybach’s companies into the Daimler-Benz company.
Above: Dieter Zetsche, the Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, sits in a Mercedes Simplex at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Above: Dieter Zetsche, the Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, sits in a Mercedes Simplex at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
The famous three-pointer star symbol of Mercedes-Benz debuted in 1910. The emblem was supposed to symbolize Daimler’s ambition of universal motorization – on land, on sea and in the air.
Above: A Mercedes star is pictured at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, southern Germany.
Above: A Mercedes star is pictured at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, southern Germany.
5/15
© AP Photo / INTERCONTINENTALE
The Mercedes-Benz 190SL (above) is a two-door luxury roadster which was produced between 1955 and 1963. The car shared the styling, engineering and detailing of the exclusive Mercedes-Benz 300SL, but it was more affordable.
During the German crisis in 1924 Benz & Cie. and DMG signed an Agreement of Mutual Interest and standardized design, production, purchasing and sales regarding their respective brands. On June 28, 1926 the two companies merged into Daimler-Benz AG.
Above: A young boy drives in front of the Grand Palais in Paris in the 1960s replica of the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL coupe during the Paris 46th International Auto Show.
Above: A young boy drives in front of the Grand Palais in Paris in the 1960s replica of the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL coupe during the Paris 46th International Auto Show.
7/15
© AP Photo / Eugene Hoshiko
Automobiles of Daimler-Benz AG were named Mercedes-Benz, in honor of DMG’s most important car model and the last name of Karl Benz.
Above: Guests photograph the interior of a Mercedes-Benz GLA concept car during a press conference ahead of the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition.
Above: Guests photograph the interior of a Mercedes-Benz GLA concept car during a press conference ahead of the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition.
8/15
© AP Photo
Throughout its history, Mercedes-Benz has been involved in a range of motorsport activities, including sports car racing and rallying. Currently the company is active in Formula One, Formula Three, DTM and V8 Supercars Australia. Mercedes-Benz entered F1 in the Grand Prix of Monaco in 1955.
Above: A Mercedes-Benz Formula One racing car.
Above: A Mercedes-Benz Formula One racing car.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (above) is a front-engine luxury sport car which was developed by Mercedes-AMG. The company describes the car as a spiritual successor to the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing.
10/15
© AP Photo / Thomas Kienzle
Mercedes-AMG (commonly known as AMG) is the high performance division of Mercedes-Benz. The company independently engineers, manufactures and customizes Mercedes-Benz AMG cars. AMG was originally an independent firm specializing in performance tuning for Mercedes vehicles. Now Mercedes-AMG is fully owned by Daimler AG. AMG models are the most expensive and have the highest-performance of each Mercedes-Benz class.
Above: A Mercedes-Benz employee controlling a Mercedes C-class as it rolls off the production line in the plant in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart, Germany.
Above: A Mercedes-Benz employee controlling a Mercedes C-class as it rolls off the production line in the plant in Sindelfingen near Stuttgart, Germany.
Throughout the many years of car production Mercedes-Benz has introduced numerous technological innovations with its automobiles, including the first passenger car with brakes on all four wheels, the first diesel powered passenger car, the first car with airbags in the European market, "safety cell" construction etc.
Above: Mercedes-Benz cars are displayed at a dealership of the German car manufacturer Daimler AG in Munich.
Above: Mercedes-Benz cars are displayed at a dealership of the German car manufacturer Daimler AG in Munich.
The Mercedes-Benz Museum (above) in Stuttgart, Germany was opened on May 19, 2006. Stuttgart is the home of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the international headquarters of Daimler AG. The museum has more than 160 vehicles, with some of them dating back to the very first days of the automotive industry.
Currently the company produces luxury automobiles, buses, coaches and trucks. The German city of Stuttgart is the official headquarters of Mercedes-Benz.
Above: The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Above: The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Mercedes-Benz has collected more than 100 wins as engine supplier in Formula One, and is ranked fourth in its history. Two constructors and four drivers championships have been won with Mercedes-Benz engines.
Above: The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Above: The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Mercedes-Benz is part of the "German Big 3" luxury automakers, along with Audi and BMW. The companies are currently the best-selling luxury automakers in the world.
Above: The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
Above: The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.
