{"id":81611,"date":"2026-02-08T22:25:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T01:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotive.einnews.com\/article\/890584569"},"modified":"2026-02-08T22:25:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T01:25:29","slug":"140-years-of-the-automobile-100-years-of-mercedes-benz-feb-09-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/2026\/02\/08\/140-years-of-the-automobile-100-years-of-mercedes-benz-feb-09-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"140 years of the automobile, 100 years of Mercedes-Benz Feb 09, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

 \n<\/p>\n

By Moses Akaigwe<\/b><\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Since<\/span><\/strong> 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.<\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n

From Bertha Benz\u2019s legendary pioneering journey to speed records, early milestones in autonomous driving, vision cars and high-tech drive systems: the brand repeatedly demonstrates its unwavering determination to win and how it is constantly rethinking the automobile.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

In 2026, this DNA is set to become particularly visible: the 140th anniversary year is defined by the biggest product launch programme in the brand\u2019s history. It started with the world premiere of the new S-Class on January 29, 2026. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

The S-Class has been extensively updated and refined in every detail. Over the next two years, Mercedes-Benz will launch more than 40 new models that blend tradition with innovation and set new standards across all segments. <\/span><\/p>\n

Every model embodies the brand\u2019s promise: to build the world\u2019s most desirable cars. Today\u2019s Mercedes-Benz innovations carry heritage into the future \u2013 as a brand that understands progress programmatically, focuses on the needs of people and society and continually redefines individual mobility.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe love of inventing never ends.\u201d \u2013 Carl Benz, 1844 to 1929<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best or nothing.\u201d \u2013 Gottlieb Daimler, 1834 to 1900<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Two inventors, one goal \u2013 the automobile: in January 1886, Carl Benz applied for a patent for his motor car. Shortly afterwards, Gottlieb Daimler built his motor carriage. Together, the two vehicles formed the first link of an unbroken chain of innovation: Since then, Mercedes-Benz continues to reinvent the automobile.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Influencer with a hat pin: with courage and foresight, Bertha Benz embarked on the world\u2019s first long-distance automobile journey in 1888. She drove from Mannheim to Pforzheim, demonstrating the potential of the automobile. <\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Today, she would most likely be a mobility influencer. Bertha\u2019s adventure also meant overcoming obstacles along the way. Some of them were tiny \u2013 yet with a major impact: she cleaned a blocked carburettor on the road with her hatpin.<\/span><\/p>\n

A trademark for 100 years: the iconic Mercedes star logo encircled by a laurel wreath is recognised worldwide. It stands for innovative strength and premium quality. The hallmark was created in 1926 when Benz & Cie. from Mannheim merged with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) from Stuttgart. The first joint product range premiered at the German Motor Show in Berlin at the end of 1926.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Performance with efficiency: since the 1920s, the supercharger has been extracting more power from the engines of Mercedes-Benz cars, making models like the S-series (W 06) world-famous from 1927 onwards. Throughout the brand\u2019s long history of innovation, numerous vehicles have redefined drive technology \u2013 for performance and efficiency. A revolutionary drive concept with three axial-flow motors will make its series debut in 2026 in the new electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coup\u00e9 based on the AMG.EA high-performance architecture.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Crash safety: energy-absorbing crumple zones at the front and rear, with a rigid passenger cell in between define the safety body invented by B\u00e9la Bar\u00e9nyi. This milestone in passive safety made its debut in 1959 in the \u201cFintail\u201d saloons (W 111). In the same year, Mercedes-Benz began systematic crash testing. Safety is a core value of Mercedes-Benz. Active driver assistance systems such as the MB.DRIVE ASSIST can help prevent many accidents today.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Safety \u2013 with kind regards: since 1978, the abbreviation ABS has stood for innovative active safety thanks to the Anti-lock Braking System. It made its debut in the S-Class. Mercedes-Benz continues to develop such systems and safety solutions that shape the entire industry. ESP\u00ae is another example, the Electronic Stability Programme from 1995. MB.DRIVE driver assistance technologies are now carrying this tradition into the future. With kind regards from Sindelfingen and Stuttgart.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Perfection through endurance testing: new vehicles must prove themselves before they are delivered to customers as series models. Since 2015, Mercedes-Benz has been testing future models over millions of kilometres at the Immendingen Test and Technology Centre. Around 80 per cent of all test drives take place there. In 1928, the young Mercedes-Benz brand went to the then also young N\u00fcrburgring for testing, subjecting the new luxury model Type 460 (W 08) with an eight-cylinder engine to the highest levels of stress. For 13 days, it was driven relentlessly around the circuit, covering 20,000 kilometres in the end \u2013 and passing the endurance test. As a mark of distinction, the model was given the additional name \u201cN\u00fcrburg\u201d.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

The following overview lists important anniversaries for 2026:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25cf 23 January 1951 (75 years ago): Patent application for the safety body by B\u00e9la Bar\u00e9nyi. The series premiere was in the W 111 \u201ctail fin\u201d saloons in 1959.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 27 January 1976 (50 years ago): Presentation of Mercedes-Benz model series 123. The Estate and Coup\u00e9 completed the portfolio soon afterwards.<\/span> <\/p>\n

\n

Related News<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25cf 29 January 1886 (140 years ago): Carl Benz applied for a patent for his three-wheeled \u201cvehicle with gas-engine drive\u201d \u2013 the birth of the automobile.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 3 to 8 February 1986 (40 years ago): Mercedes-Benz presented the ASR and ASD assistance systems as well as the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system in Finland.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 8 March 1886 (140 years ago): Gottlieb Daimler ordered a carriage. The first four-wheeled automobile, with its high-speed combustion engine, was built on this basis.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 25 to 29 March 1901 (125 years ago): The Mercedes 35 PS dominated the Nice Week. \u201cWe have entered the Mercedes era,\u201d summarised the Secretary General of the Automobile Club of France.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25cf 19 to 29 April 1951 (75 years ago): International Motor Show (IAA) premiere of the prestigious Mercedes-Benz 300 (W 186) and the Mercedes-Benz 220 (W 187) \u2013 the precursor to the S-Class.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 19 May 2006 (20 years ago): Opening of the Mercedes-Benz Museum at the gates of the Untert\u00fcrkheim plant \u2013 a brand fixture that has enjoyed enormous international popularity ever since.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 25 April to 5 May 1996 (30 years ago): The Mercedes-Benz SLK (R 170) made its debut at the Turin Motor Show. With its steel vario-roof, the Roadster opened up a new market segment.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 12 to 15 June 1976 (50 years ago): The C 111-II D achieved three world records and 16 class records in Nard\u00f2 \u2013 where the Concept AMG GT XX also became a world record holder in 2025.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 28\/29 June 1926 (100 years ago): Benz & Cie. and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft merged to form what was then Daimler-Benz AG. The Mercedes-Benz brand was born.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 30 June 1996 (30 years ago): A Mercedes-Benz C 36 AMG was the brand\u2019s first official Safety Car in Formula 1 at Magny-Cours. Since then, Mercedes-Benz has provided this important vehicle without interruption.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25cf 31 July 2001 (25 years ago): The Mercedes-Benz SL of model series R 230 celebrated its premiere at Deichtorhallen Hamburg. The Roadster was equipped with numerous innovations.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 18 August 1896 (130 years ago): Gottlieb Daimler presented the world\u2019s first motorised truck. He sold the first example to the British Motor Syndicate in London.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 24 August 1986 (40 years ago): The Sauber-Mercedes C8 Group C racing car achieved its first victory at the N\u00fcrburgring. It gave the brand impetus for its return to motorsport.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 12 September 1926 (100 years ago): In the Solitude race, race director Alfred Neubauer used his signalling system to communicate with the drivers for the first time.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 4 to 14 October 1951 (75 years ago): The sporty and luxurious 300 S (W 188) was presented at the Paris Motor Show as a two-door version of Type 300 (W 186) as a Coup\u00e9, Cabriolet A and Roadster. It was the fastest German production car.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 9 October 1946 (80 years ago): Testing of the Unimog prototype begins. Former Daimler-Benz AG engineers develop the \u201cUniversal Motorized Device for Agriculture\u201d. The Unimog was initially built by Boehringer starting in 1949, and from 1951 onwards at the Mercedes-Benz Gaggenau plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25cf 15 October 2006 (20 years ago): Bernd Schneider secured his fifth DTM championship in the DTM race at Le Mans. This makes the current brand ambassador the record champion.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

\u25cf 5 December 1896 (130 years ago): Benz & Cie. supplied a \u201cdelivery vehicle\u201d \u2013 the world\u2019s first van. The \u201cVelociped\u201d was also available with a load compartment.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

Ends<\/span> <\/p>\n

<\/a><\/strong> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

… inventors, one goal \u00e2\u0080\u0093 the automobile<\/span>: in January 1886, Carl Benz … Benz continues to reinvent the automobile<\/span>. Influencer with a hat … demonstrating the potential of the automobile<\/span>. Today, she would most … . The first four-wheeled automobile<\/span>, with its high-speed …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","wpcat-1-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81611"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81611\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new7.shop\/zerocostfreehost\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}