Mercedes-Benz
(Mercedes redirects here. There is also a place in Texas by that name; see Mercedes, Texas.)
 the Deutsches Museum Larger version |
1978 Mercedes S320
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Mercedes-Benz is a brand of automobiles and trucks from the DaimlerChrysler company (formerly known as Daimler-Benz), commonly known as Mercedes.
From the origin of the company in 1926, Mercedes-Benz vehicles have been expensive, some very expensive and rare, justifying their cost with an image (mostly justified) of superior engineering, quality, and service. They have often been the vehicles of choice of the rich and famous - the Grosser limousine of the 1930s is now indelibly associated with the Nazi government of the time. Though mainly known for their luxury limousines, they have also produced some notable sports cars, including the early SSK, and 300SL in 1955.
Their products have been known for the introduction of advanced technologies to cars - notably fuel injection and anti-lock braking systems, amongst others.
Mercedes-Benz was formed in 1926 with the merger of the Daimler and Benz companies, which since 1886 had independently produced cars. Cars for the Daimler company were named Mercedes around the turn of the 20th century. The origin of this name is one Emil Jellinek, who after suggesting some design modifications, promised the company a large order on condition that he was granted the exclusive Daimler concession for Austria-Hungary, France, Belgium and USA, and that he would sell the cars as Mercedes, the name of his daughter.
The company logo is a three-pointed star (land-sea-air) enclosed in a circle. Three main figures were involved in creating the Mercedes-Benz: Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach.
