Mercedes-Benz

Germans Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz were automotive pioneers in their own right during the late 19th century, and the latter’s Patent Motorwagen of 1886 is regarded as the world’s first petrol-engine vehicle. The duo joined forces in 1926 to form Daimler-Benz, and Mercedes-Benz (though the first Mercedes-badged car appeared in 1901, named after the daughter of the man who commissioned it). Daimler would epitomise Germany’s post-war economic recovery, and from the ’60s onwards established itself as a leader in luxury cars, trucks and buses. 1954’s 300SL “Gullwing” began a legendary lineage in the SL grand tourer, the “Baby Benz” 190 and its successor the C-Class became highly regarded volume sellers, the E-Class remains its signature car, and the S-Class a limo renowned for debuting industry firsts. Its famous performance division AMG started as an independent race engine supplier in the ’60s before Daimler took a controlling interest in the ’90s. Mercedes-AMG became the revised brand name for its fastest models, as well as its own Formula One team established in 2012 – continuing the legend of the “Silver Arrows” race cars started back in 1934.