Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is a name synonymous with luxury and refinement. The German car manufacturer has been crafting vehicles that are sleek symbols of status, success, and good taste since Karl Benz unveiled the world's first automobile in 1886. The first Mercedes was commissioned in 1901 and named after Emil Jellinek's daughter. In 1926, Daimler and Benz merged to form Daimler-Benz AG, and the Mercedes-Benz brand was born. The brand's insignia was a three-pointed star wreathed in a laurel. The star's three points signified the fact that Daimler's engines were used in vehicles that traveled land, air, and sea.

The Mercedes-Benz name has been synonymous with automotive excellence from the start. The automaker's earliest vehicles distinguished themselves as the world's first production cars to offer four-wheel independent suspension. The brand established itself as the luxury brand of choice in the '30s and '40s, thanks to vehicles like the 380 and 540K.

In the '50s, the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" saw the birth of the world's first supercar. The decade also saw Daimler-Benz making strides in the area of safety technology. The company's Mercedes-Benz 220 sedans were the first vehicles to incorporate its patented "crumple zone" body design. The '60s saw the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 600, an elegant, luxurious sedan that was also available as a limousine. The '70s saw the birth of the brand's storied S-Class line of vehicles and the first offering of antilock brakes in its vehicles.

Daimler-Benz's safety advancements continued in the '80s, with the introduction of airbags and traction control. The manufacturer also raised the bar in terms of ride comfort and handling when it introduced multilink rear suspension. The '90s saw Mercedes-Benz partnering with AMG to produce ultra-high-performance versions of some of its vehicles. The company's current lineup is the most comprehensive in its history, with a variety of sedans, coupes, SUVs, and roadsters filling Mercedes showrooms.