Last Updated:

2024-04-14 01:14:39

Mercedes-Benz Group

German multinational automotive corporation

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German multinational automotive corporation

Mercedes-Benz Group, formerly Daimler, is a leading car manufacturer. It was formed in 1926 through the merger of Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. The company's marques include Mercedes-Benz, Smart, and others. It is the tenth-largest car manufacturer by unit sales and sixth-largest by revenue worldwide.

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1883-10

Founding of Benz & Co. Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik

Carl Benz founds Benz & Co. Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik in Mannheim in collaboration with Max Kaspar Rose and Friedrich Wilhelm Esslinger. The company quickly becomes successful, leading to the production of gas engines and relocation to a larger factory premises.

1884

Development of the 'Grandfather Clock' Engine by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach collaborate to develop the 'Grandfather Clock' engine in 1884. This engine, with a compact and weight-saving design, paves the way for installing engines in vehicles.

1885-08-28

Award of Patent for the Daimler Reitwagen

Gottlieb Daimler is awarded Patent specification DRP 36423 for the 'vehicle with gas or petroleum drive machine', known as the Daimler Reitwagen. This marks the invention of the world's first motorcycle.

1886-01-29

Submission of Patent Application for the Benz Patent Motor Car

Carl Benz submits a patent application for his 'vehicle with gas engine operation' to the Imperial Patent Office on 29 January 1886. This patent, known as DRP 37435, is considered the 'birth certificate' of the automobile.

1888

Bertha Benz's Historic Drive

Bertha Benz drove the Motorwagen in 1888 to promote her husband's invention, becoming the first female driver in history. Her journey was instrumental in showcasing the capabilities of the gasoline-powered vehicle.

1890-05

Replacement of Business Partners at Benz & Co. Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik

Carl Benz's business partners Rose and Esslinger are replaced by Julius Ganss and Friedrich von Fischer at Benz & Co. Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik. This change leads to the company evolving into the second-largest engine manufacturer in Germany and the world's leading producer of automobiles.

1900

Introduction of Mercedes Name

The name 'Mercedes' was included in the brand name 'Mercedes-Benz' to honor the Mercedes series of DMG automobiles, designed by Wilhelm Maybach. The name originated from a 1900 engine named after the daughter of Emil Jellinek, a director at DMG.

1901

Introduction of the First Mercedes Car

In 1901, the first Mercedes car was introduced, establishing a reputation for quality and performance.

1902

Production of Mercedes Series

The first production models bearing the name 'Mercedes' were produced by DMG in 1902, marking a significant milestone in the history of the Mercedes-Benz Group.

1906

Introduction of Honeycomb Radiator for Mercedes 35hp

The honeycomb radiator was developed for the Mercedes 35hp to efficiently cool the engine using its unique texture. It is noted for its similarity to modern radiators.

1910

Introduction of Electric-Powered Cars by Mercedes

Mercedes introduced battery-electric propulsion for passenger cars, trucks, buses, and fire service vehicles, laying the foundation for today's hybrid drive technology.

1921

Introduction of Multivalve Engine in Benz Special Touring Car

The Benz Special Touring Car became the first vehicle to utilize a multivalve engine with four valves per cylinder, leading to improvements in performance and fuel efficiency.

1924-05

DMG and Benz & Cie. Joint Venture

In May 1924, competitors DMG and Benz & Cie. enter into a joint venture to survive the post-World War I period affected by inflation and poor sales figures. They focus on coordinated designs, production techniques, and marketing strategies.

1926-06-28

Formation of Daimler-Benz AG

On June 28, 1926, Benz & Cie. and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft formally merged to become Daimler-Benz AG, marking the beginning of the Mercedes-Benz Group. They agreed to use the brand name 'Mercedes-Benz' on all their automobiles.

1927-04

Introduction of Model 'K'

In April 1927, the special model 'K' based on the 12/100/140 hp vehicle is added to the standard sales range. It features a shorter wheelbase and is known as the fastest touring car in the world.

1929

Death of Karl Benz

Karl Benz, the founder of Benz & Cie., remained a member of the board of directors of Daimler-Benz AG until his death in 1929, leaving behind a legacy in the automotive industry.

1931

The 4-Wheel Independent Suspension

The introduction of the first-ever fully independent suspension in 1931 allowed each wheel to react independently, setting the stage for future advancements in handling.

1952

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

In 1952, Mercedes-Benz introduced the iconic 300 SL Gullwing, a revolutionary sports car known for its distinctive gullwing doors and powerful performance.

1958

The Crash Test Program

In 1958, Mercedes-Benz implemented a rigorous crash testing program for every new vehicle to ensure they were the safest on the road.

1959

Tailfin Mercedes

In 1959, Mercedes unveiled the Tailfin models, featuring futuristic design elements like prominent tailfins, reflecting the automotive styling trends of the era.

1972

Introduction of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class

In 1972, Mercedes-Benz introduced the S-Class, marking a significant point in the brand's history. Although the vehicle existed before, this was the first time it received the iconic name.

1973

The Offset-Frontal Crash Test

In 1973, the Offset-Frontal Crash Test was introduced as a method to assess the safety of vehicles in frontal collisions.

1985

Multilink Suspension Debut on 190-Class

The Multilink Suspension was introduced on the compact 190-Class, revolutionizing handling, precision, and safety in vehicles.

1989

Formation of Mercedes-Benz AG

In 1989, Mercedes-Benz AG was formed as a strategic move towards diversification and expanding the company's portfolio.

1991

4MATIC All-Wheel Drive with Electronic Traction Systems

Mercedes-Benz introduced the AWD E-Class with innovative electronic traction systems like the automatic differential lock (ASD) and automatic skid control (ASR) for rear-wheel drive cars.

1995

Merger with Chrysler Corporation

In 1995, Mercedes-Benz merged with Chrysler Corporation to form DaimlerChrysler AG, leading to further expansion and growth.

1997

The SmartKey

In 1997, Mercedes-Benz introduced the SmartKey, which replaced traditional mechanical locks with an electronic code, enhancing convenience and security.

1998

Acquisition of Chrysler Corporation

Daimler-Benz acquired American automobile manufacturer Chrysler Corporation in 1998 and was renamed DaimlerChrysler.

2000

Mercedes-Benz vehicles connect to outside world

Starting in the year 2000, Mercedes-Benz vehicles started communicating with the outside world through computers and phones, providing customers with a new level of connectivity and paving the way for internet connectivity within the vehicle's cabin.

2002

Introduction of PRE-SAFE® system

In 2002, Mercedes-Benz introduced the groundbreaking PRE-SAFE® system, which has the ability to detect an accident before it occurs. The system then takes preventive measures such as tightening seat belts and adjusting head restraints to enhance protection in the event of a crash.

2007

Development of S 500 Plug-in Hybrid Technology

The development of the S 500 plug-in hybrid technology by Mercedes-Benz in 2007 marked a significant milestone in the advancement of plug-in hybrid cars and eco-friendly mobility.

2009-11-16

Daimler and Aabar Investments purchase majority stake in Brawn GP

In November 2009, Daimler and Aabar Investments acquired a 75.1% stake in Brawn GP, leading to the rebranding of the company as Mercedes GP. This acquisition resulted in Daimler holding 45.1% of the stake and marked the beginning of Mercedes' involvement in Formula 1.

2010

Launch of Attention Assist

In 2010, Mercedes-Benz launched the Attention Assist system. This system is designed to monitor the driver's behavior and provide alerts if signs of drowsiness or inattention are detected, enhancing safety on the road.

2011

Daimler and Aabar Investments purchase remaining stake in Mercedes GP

In February 2011, Daimler and Aabar Investments bought the remaining 24.9% stake in Mercedes GP from the team management. This transaction made Mercedes GP a wholly Daimler-owned entity, leading to the rebranding of the team as Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team.

2012-11

Aabar Investments sells remaining shares of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team

In November 2012, Aabar Investments divested its remaining shares in the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, making the team solely owned by Daimler. This marked a significant shift in ownership within the Formula 1 team.

2014-11

Mercedes-Maybach introduction

Mercedes-Maybach was introduced as a brand under the Mercedes-Benz Group, offering ultra-high-end S-class and GLS-class vehicles.

2015

Launch of F-015

Mercedes launched the F-015 concept car in 2015, showcasing a glimpse of future mobility.

2016

Car-to-X

In 2016, Mercedes-Benz pioneered Car-to-X Communication in the E-Class, allowing vehicles to share critical information with each other to prevent potential hazards on the road.

2019-05-22

Ola Källenius appointed Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group

On 22 May 2019, Ola Källenius assumed the role of Chairman of Mercedes-Benz Group and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

2019-11-19

BaFin Shareholder Structure Report

BaFin reported the shareholder structure of Mercedes-Benz based on the German Securities Trading Act, including major shareholders like Bank of America Corporation, BlackRock, Inc., and Li Shufu with Tenaciou3 Prospect Investment Limited.

2020

Of strategy and pandemic

In 2020, Mercedes-Benz navigated through strategic decisions amidst the challenges posed by the global pandemic.

2021

Mercedes-Benz goes all-electric

Mercedes announced plans to transition to all-electric cars in the coming years.

2022-02

Renaming to Mercedes-Benz Group

In February 2022, Daimler was renamed Mercedes-Benz Group as part of a transaction that spun-off its commercial vehicle segment as an independent company, Daimler Truck.

2023

Mercedes-Benz Group sales performance in 2023

In 2023, Mercedes-Benz Group reported sales of 2,491,600 vehicles, marking a 1.5% increase. Notably, sales of Mercedes-Maybach, G-Class, and Mercedes-AMG surged, while fully electric Mercedes-Benz car sales soared by 73%.

2024

Mercedes-AMG CLE, GLC Coupe, E-Class All-Terrain, GT Coupe

In 2024, Mercedes introduced new future and concept models including the Mercedes-AMG CLE, GLC Coupe, E-Class All-Terrain, and GT Coupe.

End of the Timeline
Mercedes-Benz Group