Though the legacy of Mercedes-Benz dates back to the 1880s, the current brand did not originate until 1926. In 1886, Karl Benz revealed his three-wheel vehicle, the Benz Patent Motor Car, the automobile that first showcased the superiority of the Benz brand. Known for his Daimler engine, Gottlieb Daimler raised the bar of technology and built a horseless carriage displaying his dedication to craftsmanship. When Daimler passed away, he left control of his brand to Wilhelm Maybach, his chief engineer who built the first Mercedes after being commissioned by Emil Jellinek. Jellinek appropriately named the car "Mercedes" after his daughter.
Due to the worsening German economy and desperation to save the two companies, the Daimler and Benz brands merged to form Mercedes-Benz in 1926. The Mercedes-Benz "star-like" logo, a long time creation of the late Daimler, characterized the power of his engines to travel by land, air, and sea, which is represented in the three-point star insignia.
Mercedes-Benz in America
Max Hoffman spearheaded the import of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in 1952, even though the automaker did not officially launch its U.S. brand until 1965. Mercedes-Benz expanded into the United States in 1957 after utilizing the services of the Studebaker-Packard Corporation for distribution. It wasn't until 1965 that Mercedes-Benz went on its own to launch Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. (MBUSA) .
MBUSA grew into a large enterprise with 1,500 employees and 355 dealerships that employ nearly 22,000 workers. The U.S. brand continues to expand with new technologies and an increasing number of factories nationwide.
In 1931, the automaker launched the Mercedes-Benz 170, which was the first automobile to boast the new revolutionary technology, four-wheel independent suspension. The next two decades saw continued advancements from the luxury brand, which was witnessed in the 380 and 540K cruisers.
Touted as the world's first supercar, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300 SL "Gullwing" in the 1950s, followed by the 220 sedans, which led the industry in superior safety technology. Its patented "crumple zone" technology built into the automobiles' body designs put Mercedes-Benz at the top of the industry.
Mercedes-Benz ushered in the 1960s with a bang when it introduced its luxurious 600 Series sedan. The automaker, best known for its safety and luxury craftsmanship, added speed to its long list of accomplishments. The automobile featured a technologically superior air suspension system, was powered by a V-8 engine, and was also available as a limousine. Not long after, the fastest luxury sedan of its time, the Mercedes-Benz SEL 6.3 was born.
During the next two decades, Mercedes-Benz remained at the forefront of safety technology and was the first to offer anti-lock brakes in the 1970s with its S-class line. In the 1980s, the Daimler-Benz brand introduced the first cars in the world to come with airbags and traction control. Also introduced in this decade was the well-known multilink rear suspension, first seen on the Mercedes-Benz 190E.
After partnering with Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach (AMG) in the 1990s, Mercedes-Benz began to launch high-performance versions of its automobiles as seen in the sporty C36 AMG. Presently, the brand offers AMG versions of many of its vehicles.
The present-day Mercedes-Benz lineup includes names such as the affordable C-class vehicles, along with the top-notch S-class and the more robust E-class. The brand also offers coupe styles like the CLS-class and convertibles such as the CLK-class and SLK-class. In addition to the cars, Mercedes-Benz also offers a range of sport utility vehicles with the smaller GLK-class, the R-class, and the larger, boxy G-class.
Mercedes-Benz Products and Technologies
Mercedes-Benz has a long reputation for developing technological advances, which constantly press the envelope of what is possible for the automobile industry. With its advanced security features such as the invention of brakes on all four wheels to the luxury options like the Bi-Xenon headlamps, Mercedes-Benz is known for introducing products and services that outperform its competition.
The Intelligent Light System was first introduced in the C class vehicles. The technology includes Bi-Xenon headlamps which improve visibility and safety by automatically adjusting the brightness depending on the vehicle's location. The adaptive brake light system reduces rear-end collisions by automatically flashing the brakes when the driver slams on them to avoid a car collision. Other features like the Distronic Plus Adaptive Cruise Control monitor the traffic ahead and automatically adjust the driver's speed to protect against collisions. Mercedes-Benz is also known for its standard seven airbags with head restraints.
The "mbrace" feature is a newer addition and merges the technology of smartphones to the automobile market. Mbrace connects the vehicle owner to the world with its destination planning, security, and convenience services. From handling emergencies to finding a parked car in a garage, it's one more reason why Mercedes-Benz took the top spot in luxury and security innovation technology.