Introduction

Mercedes-Benz- one of the world's oldest automotive brands that still manufactures cars- epitomizes German engineering excellence. Renowned globally for its quality cars, buses, coaches and trucks, the company derives its name from Karl Benz who created the first petrol-powered car: the Benz Patent Motorwage in 1886.

Mercedes-Benz pioneered several technological and safety innovations for automobiles that were later introduced by other vehicles. Sophisticated engineering, robustness and reliability are the hallmarks of Mercedes-Benz cars.

The Mercedes Star

Gottlieb Daimler, the founder of DMG, had once marked a star over his house on a picture postcard and written that the star symbolises prosperity and will one day shine over his factory. After his death, his sons Paul and Adolf decided to use the symbol as the trademark / logo.

The star underwent some modifications over the years and in 1916, the tips of the star were surrounded by a circle- this has become the universally recognisable symbol of Mercedes.

The story behind Mercedes is rather interesting. Mercedes was the name of the daughter of Jellinek (DMG automobile racer)! As a successful racer, he managed to have his daughter’s name on the engines of a series of sports cars. Later he was placed on the board of directors of DMG.

In 1901, the company introduced a successful racing model for sale, the Mercedes 35 hp.

In 1926, Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG) underwent a merger and the merged entity became Daimler-Benz AG. However, as the usage of the name Daimler was not allowed in several countries, the company decided to use the name Mercedes. This was also done since the company believed that the name brought it luck.

In 1999, DaimlerChrysler bought 51 percent shares of AMG after which it was renamed as Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Mercedes and innovation go hand in hand. One of the major innovations by the company was the creation of the world's first robot car in the 1980s, whose performance fuelled global interest in research for robot cars.