Though primarily known for their automobiles, Mercedes-Benz, which is sometimes
shortened to just Mercedes, is a German brand of cars, buses, coaches, and
trucks created for Daimler-Benz AG, and now owned by Daimler-Chrysler AG. When
Benz & Cie and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG) merged on June 28, 1946,
Daimler-Benz was born.
Benz & Cie, established in 1871, was one of several companies founded by Karl
Benz, and the most important. DMG, on the other hand, was created by Gottlieb
Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach in 1890. Daimler died in 1900, though, and by the
time Mayback died in 1907, the two companies were rivals. Post World War I
economic necessity pushed the two companies into an Agreement of Mutual Interest
which allowed each company to manufacture and sell their cars under their
original names. The agreement was valid until the year 2000, but was made moot
when the official merger happened in 1926, officially creating the Mercedes-Benz
brand.
The brand name Mercedez-Benz is not only attached to one of the world's premier
automakers, but also, because of its link to Karl Benz, tied to the world's
oldest continuously produced line of automobiles. When Daimler-Benz formed in
1926, a new logo was created that would tie the two companies together. Daimler
had designed a three pointed star representing land, air, and sea-use of his
motors, and it first appeared on a DMG car in 1909. However, since the name
Daimler had been licensed for use on cars in France and the UK, the name
Mercedes was chosen for use in the logo. Karl Benz's traditional laurel symbol
was also added, along with his name, to tie everything together. Today's version
of the logo, with the plain ring, was not used until 1937.
Mercedes-Benz has always been on the leading edge of automotive technology,
bringing many safety and tech features into common use, such as safety cage
construction, anti-lock brakes, and traction control, and continues to do so
today. The current incarnation of the company, DaimlerChrysler AG, was formed in
1998 when Daimler Benz and Chrysler agreed to combine their businesses in a
"merger of equals."
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