The origin story of MercedesBenz is also the origin story of the automobile. In 1886, Carl Benz patented the first ever powered car. His wife, Bertha, promoted the Motorwagen by taking it on a 120mile journey, serving as her own mechanic along the way. At the same time, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were collaborating on their own engine, which would eventually power the Daimler Reitwagen and the motor coach. They followed up with the world’s first truck in 1896 and the first Mercedes in 1901.

The two companies created by these three innovative men merged in 1926, forming DaimlerBenz AG. This merger gave both companies more power in marketing, production, sales, and design. At the 1926 Berlin Motor Show, the brand unveiled the first MercedesBenz passenger cars. The automaker continues to be a driving force in innovation from the 1930s to today, making progress in suspension, performance, and safety.