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Since 1886.

For more than 140 years, Mercedes-Benz has been recognised for engineering excellence, iconic design and safety. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that leads through everything Mercedes‑Benz does.

Innovation.

Since Carl Benz registered his patent for the motor car (Motorwagen) in 1886 and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage (Motorkutsche) shortly afterwards, the history of Mercedes-Benz has for 140 years known only one direction: forward. From Bertha Benz's legendary pioneering journey to speed records, early milestones in autonomous driving, vision cars and high-tech drive systems: Mercedes-Benz repeatedly demonstrates its unwavering determination to win and how it is constantly rethinking the automobbile.

Quality.

Every Mercedes-Benz automobile is developed and manufactured to the highest quality standards of its time. This consistent commitment to quality creates lasting value, strengthens trust in the products and has made Mercedes-Benz a reliable and trusted companion to its customers for decades.

Safety.

Safety research is a defining theme in the company's history. Mercedes-Benz sets milestones that shape the industry and mobility culture - from the safety body, Anti-lock Braking Systems ABS, airbag with belt tensioner and Electronic Stability Programme ESP® to the concept of integrated safety. These and other innovations represents a systematic understanding of safety that goes beyond individual solutions.

Comfort.

Advanced and intelligent technology is constantly redefining comfort systems - for an incomparable driving experience that focuses on support, relief and well-being for drivers and passengers. Comfort and sportiness are no longer mutually exclusive: superior performance and relaxed driving comfort come together in a perfect symbiosis. The result is luxury with the best possible support for passengers.

Design

Automotive Icons.

Since the invention of the automobile, outstanding vehicles have shaped the perception of Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands. Every single model since 1886 represents the strengths of the brand in its own way. Time and again, individual models and model series stand out. They become automotive icons and represent in a special way what defines the brand - the innovative strength of Mercedes-Benz.

1886: Invention of the automobile – Benz Patent-Motorwagen

On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his “vehicle powered by a gas engine.” The patent DRP 37435 is generally considered as the birth certificate of the automobile – with powertrain, chassis and controls conceived as one functional unit. Its compact, rear-mounted single-cylinder four-stroke engine, belt drive and tubular steel frame made motorised, self-propelled personal mobility viable. Due to its significance, UNESCO added the Benz patent document of 1886 to the “Memory of the World Register” in 2011. It is listed alongside the Magna Charta, Gutenberg’s Bible, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.

1902: Mercedes-Simplex 40 HP

This luxurious sports and prestige vehicle is the first modern automobile ever built. It was created at the request of DMG's business partner Emil Jellinek. Wilhelm Maybach develops the Mercedes 35 hp with a high-performance drive, long wheelbase and low centre of gravity. This first Mercedes dominates the competitions at the 1901 Racing Week in Nice. The Mercedes-Simplex models built on this design from 1902 onwards set new standards in terms of comfortable operation and high performance.

1934: Mercedes-Benz 500 K – Excellence on wheels

The Mercedes-Benz 500 K embodied the perfect fusion of power, refinement, and artisanal craftsmanship. Its eight-cylinder supercharged engine produced effortless performance, while its independent suspension provided an unprecedented level of comfort and control. The car’s elegant bodywork sculpted by the Sindelfingen coachbuilders expressed technical sophistication through form and proportion. Each example was hand-built to order, with luxurious interiors featuring polished woods and finely stitched leather. More than a mere mode of transport, the 500 K stood as a declaration of prestige and mechanical artistry. It defined the idea of the “rolling masterpiece” and reinforced Mercedes-Benz’s position as the producer of the world’s most advanced grand tourers.

1954: 300 SL “Gullwing” – first four stroke direct fuel-injected production car

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” with its iconic door construction is the serial version of the W 194 racing sports car of 1952. The inline-six engine was equipped with Bosch mechanical direct injection – an industry first for a four-stroke production passenger car. That technology raised output and efficiency, helping to make the 300 SL the fastest production car of its day. The road-going coupé with its racing-derived technology was unveiled in New York in 1954. The direct injection system’s precision shaped subsequent fuel-system development across the model range. In 1999, this super sports car of its time and highly coveted classic was named “Sports Car of the Century.”

1963: Mercedes-Benz 600 – The Grand Mercedes

Introduced in 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 600 marked a new pinnacle of automotive luxury and engineering. Powered by the newly developed M 100 V8 engine, it combined monumental performance with absolute smoothness. The grand limousine was also a technical showcase, incorporating dual-circuit air conditioning and state-of-the-art noise insulation. Its complex central hydraulic system controlled everything from seats to windows and even the trunk lid – executing each movement silently and precisely. Air suspension ensured a magic-carpet ride regardless of load or surface. Favoured by political leaders and dignitaries around the world, it symbolized ultimate prestige and mechanical perfection. The “Grand Mercedes” became the template for all subsequent flagship sedans from the brand.

1969: Mercedes-Benz C 111 – Experimental vehicle and dream car

The C 111 was conceived not as a production car but as an experimental laboratory on wheels. Its striking fiberglass body with gullwing doors housed advanced powertrains, first rotary Wankel engines and later turbocharged diesel and V8 engines. The car’s aerodynamic precision and lightweight structure allowed record-setting performance while testing new materials and concepts. Beyond its futuristic appearance, the C 111’s purpose was to explore high-speed stability, composite construction, and engine efficiency under extreme conditions. Later versions set multiple world records for speed and endurance. The C 111 symbolized Mercedes-Benz’s relentless pursuit of innovation and served as a testbed for technologies that would influence future generations of vehicles.

1979: Mercedes-Benz G-Class – Stronger than time

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class was developed as a highly durable off-road vehicle for both civilian and professional applications. Its ladder-frame construction, rigid axles and four-wheel drive with locking differentials made it extraordinarily capable in the harshest environments. With flat body panels designed for easy repair and longevity, it combined functionality with timeless simplicity. Over the decades, it evolved technologically while retaining its original form and purpose. Uncompromising build quality reinforced its reputation for indestructibility. The G-Class became a global icon – respected as much for its authenticity as for its endurance. Its essence lies in engineering integrity that has remained unchanged for generations.

1989: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution – The first „compact“ Mercedes-Benz as racing car

The Evolution models of the Mercedes-Benz 190 series emerged from the company’s determination to dominate touring car racing under the DTM regulations. Based on the W 201 platform – the company’s first compact executive sedan – they embodied the transfer of race engineering to the road. The EVO I and EVO II featured height-adjustable suspension, aerodynamically optimized bodywork, and a refined 2.5-liter 16-valve engine. Their chassis balance and multi-link rear suspension demonstrated that compact dimensions could coexist with precision handling and high performance. These models became symbols of technical purity and motorsport credibility, proving that a smaller Mercedes could uphold the brand’s reputation for innovation and dynamic excellence.

2004: Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class – New vehicle category – four-door coupé

The CLS-Class introduced in 2003 created an entirely new vehicle category: the four-door coupé. With its low roofline, frameless doors and sweeping proportions, it merged emotional design with everyday functionality. Built on E-Class underpinnings but tuned for heightened performance and refinement, the CLS combined dynamic driving characteristics with a distinctive visual identity. This philosophy continued in the interior with a luxurious ambience. The model’s success proved that style could coexist with practicality and comfort. The CLS not only established a new design direction for Mercedes-Benz but also inspired an entire industry segment that still carries its influence today.

2009: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG – Fascination and high-tech

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG marked a milestone as the first car developed entirely by AMG alone. Its design echoed the legendary 300 SL, complete with gullwing doors, yet beneath the silhouette lay a thoroughly modern machine. The lightweight aluminium spaceframe provided exceptional rigidity, while the front-mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine with dry-sump lubrication ensured perfect weight distribution and dynamic response. A rear-mounted dual-clutch transmission further optimized balance and performance. Beyond its visual drama, the SLS represented technological sophistication – culminating in the all-electric SLS AMG Electric Drive, which demonstrated the brand’s readiness for the future of high performance. It stood as a bridge between heritage and innovation, uniting emotion and engineering with characteristic Mercedes precision.

2025: Mercedes-Benz CLA

Sporty, digital, all-electric. The all-new CLA keeps you ahead of the curve. With its athletic design, a completely new drivetrain and the digital MBUX Superscreen, the all-new electric CLA starts a new era within the electrified world of Mercedes-Benz.

2026: Mercedes-Benz S-Class

More than a vehicle. The new S-Class redefines what it means to arrive. With a design that commands attention, intelligence that anticipates your needs, and comfort that transcends expectation – this is automotive excellence, elevated to art.

Future Vision.

The continuity of Mercedes-Benz's spirit of innovation is evident not only in the 140-year history of the automobile, but also in its current research activities, which are the next chapter in this success story. Shaped by the legacy of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, Mercedes-Benz is rethinking innovations for the future of mobility.
With its technology programmes, such as the VISION EQXX and Concept AMG GT XX, Mercedes-Benz showcases new developments and innovations.

Discover sustainability

Mercedes-Benz Museum Stuttgart.

From the world's first patented car to the hydrogen-powered vehicle from this millennium: discover automotive and cotemporary history dating back to 1886 over nine levels showcasing stunning vehicles and more than 1,500 exhibits.

Mercedes-Benz Museum

Our Brands.

Side view of a Mercedes-Benz car.

Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz stands for emotional based on timeless design, cutting-edge technology, and attention to detail.

Discover Mercedes-Benz models

Side view of a Mercedes-AMG car.

Mercedes-AMG.

For more than 55 years. AMG's ambition has been to build the world's best performance cars.

Mercedes-Maybach.

Mercedes-Maybach pairs Mercedes-Benz innovation with Maybach's unique brand of luxury. Here, performance is paired with exclusivity. Traditional craftsmanship with modern digital technologies.

G-Class.

For 45 years, the G-Class has been the benchmark in the offroad vehicle segment. Thanks to the unique combination of outstanding offroad capability and iconic appearance, the G-Class achieves cult status.

MANUFAKTUR.

MANUFAKTUR is the cross-brand personalisation range for exclusive exterior equipment and high-quality interior equipment from Mercedes-Benz.