At the origins of the legendary Mercedes-Benz brand were two German companies - Benz and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (DMG). They are remarkable in that their creators, in fact, are the inventors of the car in the form in which the world recognized it.
The Founding Fathers and the Birth of a Legend
The Karl Benz company was founded in 1871 and since 1886 has been offering customers the world's first self-propelled vehicle with the Motorwagen. She did not enjoy success with buyers, and it is not known what future the car would have if it were not for the inventor's wife, Martha Benz. In 1888, without the knowledge of her husband, she made a trip in a motor carriage to a nearby town. This trip became a very successful public relations campaign for the invention. After the trip, Marta, who turned out to be not only a brave, but also a technically savvy woman, suggested making changes to the design of the car - for example, adding.
The Mercedes-Benz brand was born so long ago that gasoline was sold in Germany in those days ... in pharmacies
The merger of the two companies into the Daimler-Benz AG concern took place in 1926. Since some legal restrictions were associated with the Daimler brand name in a number of European countries, it was decided to sell cars under name Mercedes-Benz. Its first chief designer was the legendary. Chosen as an emblem trademark DMG is a three-pointed star symbolizing the sky, earth and water. The sign was chosen due to the fact that at the beginning of the 20th century, the Daimler company, in addition to cars, produced engines for boats and aircraft.
Key milestones in the history of Mercedes-Benz
During World War II, Mercedes-Benz produced trucks and cars, as well as aircraft engines for Messerschmitt aircraft. In September 1944, during a two-week bombing raid by the US and British Air Forces, the company's factories were almost completely destroyed, after which the board of directors of Mercedes-Benz announced that the company no longer actually existed.
Stirlitz in "Seventeen Moments of Spring" drives a 1938 Mercedes MB-230
1946 - the revival of the company. At first, they were produced under the Mercedes-Benz brand, which were very necessary for the restoration of Germany. Only in 1949 the company produced the first post-war model of a passenger car.
In 1993, the company's models receive modern marking, in which the letters indicate the class (A, C, E, S, etc.), and the numbers indicate the engine size.
In 1997, the Daimler-Benz concern acquired an American corporation, forming the Daimler-Chrysler AG concern.
In 2007, the concern was renamed Daimler AG. Mercedes-Benz is currently a division concern Daimler AG. The company's headquarters is located in Stuttgart, Germany.
Key models in the history of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz S (1927). The car, designed by F. Porsche, combined speed, comfort and reliability. Set many speed records. The next cult model appeared a quarter of a century later. She became the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gull Wing" (1954). The first post-war Mercedes sports car and one of the most legendary. In 2009, she became the prototype of a supercar Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
Vladimir Vysotsky, who traveled very fast, once rolled over in his Mercedes-Benz car 17 times in a row. The fact that he survived says a lot about the level of safety of the German car.
In 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 600 saw the light. The first "six hundredth" Mercedes, which became one of the most prestigious sedans 20th century. It was owned by movie stars, major businessmen and heads of state.
In 1976 began Mercedes-Benz sales W123 It has become one of the most reliable and successful cars Mercedes. In total, more than 2.7 million cars were produced, many of which continue to drive on the roads of the former USSR and other countries.
In 1979, the first "civilian" versions of the Army SUV appeared. A long-lived model that has gone from utilitarian " workhorse" before luxury SUV. The car has been produced for over 33 years.
In 1991, he appeared. It became a cult car for the post-Soviet space of the 90s of the last century. V. Zhirinovsky became its first owner in Russia.
History of Mercedes-Benz in Russia
Daimler products appeared in Tsarist Russia in 1901 - then trucks were purchased for the Russian army. After the Second World War, Mercedes-Benz products were actively imported into the USSR - from 1946 to 1969. more than 600 cars were imported, trucks and buses. In the 70s, Mercedes actively participated in exhibitions on the territory Soviet Union– mainly representing trucks. In the 80s, only Leonid Brezhnev and Vladimir Vysotsky had modern cars of this brand. In 1978 the company became official supplier Moscow Olympics-80. In 1980, the first representative office of Mercedes-Benz opens in Moscow. After the collapse of the USSR in 1992, the first official Daimler-Benz dealer in Russia appeared - LogoVAZ-Belyayevo. In 1994 appears official representative concern - CJSC "Mercedes-Benz Automobiles" (later - CJSC "Mercedes-Benz RUS"). In 2010, on the basis of the KamAZ plant in Naberezhnye Chelny, the production of Mercedes-Benz trucks. Since 2013 in Nizhny Novgorod launched a joint project "" and Mercedes-Benz for the production of commercial vans Mercedes Sprinter. In the autumn of 2013, the issue of starting the production of Mercedes-Benz cars in Russia was positively resolved.
Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen is an SUV officially in service with the Swiss Army
In the 90s of the last century, cult for our country became Mercedes models-Benz W123 and W124, as well as the prestigious W140 (the "six hundredth" Mercedes) and Mercedes G-class(Gelendvagen). It is Mercedes cars today that are among the most popular cars in Russia, including among the country's leadership. Currently, the company's passenger car range includes 16 classes (A, B, C, CL, CLA, CLS, E, G, GL, GLK, M, S, SL, SLK, SLS, Viano).
Official sales statistics for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars from 1995 to 2012:
According to the statistics of thefts in Russia, Mercedes-Benz is in 12th place among car brands, and recently there has been a downward trend in thefts of Mercedes.
Interesting facts, technology and motorsport
The inventors of the automobile Karl Benz lived 100 km apart, but never met.
According to one version, before choosing a three-pointed star as an emblem, the owners of Daimler wanted to depict an orange or an elephant on it.
Mercedes 300 SL (1954) with gullwing doors was the favorite car of Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe. In 1999, this model was recognized as the best sports car of the twentieth century.
Since 2007, Mercedes-Benz has launched its own Internet TV broadcast.
Mercedes-Benz is the only car company that allows its safety developments to be used on cars from other companies.
"Mercedes of the socialist camp" was called the most prestigious car of the classic VAZ family - model 2106
Founder of Apple Steve Jobs regularly bought a new Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG in order to drive without license plates. Under California law, a new vehicle may not be registered for six months after purchase.
Mercedes-Benz was the first to start production of mass-produced passenger cars with (1931) and with a diesel engine (1936).
On Mercedes-Benz cars were first installed (1978), the successful design of the airbag (1981), the system ESP stabilization(1995).
In 1955, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR set a speed record in the Mille Miglia endurance race (159.65 km/h), which has never been broken. That same year, the same Mercedes model caused the biggest disaster in motorsport history. More than 80 spectators and Mercedes pilot Pierre Levegh became victims.
Illustrations provided by the press service of Mercedes-Benz RUS
The Mercedes-Benz brand for motorists from all over the world is not only one of the most recognizable and significant car manufacturers in the world, but is directly associated with the very concept of "car". And this is justified at least by the historical significance of the brand: exactly 130 years ago, the German engineer Karl Benz officially filed a patent for " vehicle With gasoline engine».
The event that marked the beginning of the history of not only the German brand, but the entire global automotive industry, occurred on January 29, 1886. It was on this day that a German engineer and innovator named Benz received patent No. 37435 for his creation - the world's first car with a gasoline engine.
Of course, Benz’s invention was very different from the modern image of the car: in fact, he installed a four-stroke engine he developed from scratch on tricycle.
In the same year, regardless of Benz, design engineer Gottlieb Daimler created his own motorized carriage. Daimler assembled a single cylinder four-stroke engine internal combustion. It was supposed to be installed in carriages. Daimler was assisted in the development of the new technology by engineer Wilhelm Maybach.
Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach
Both engineers, with the help of partners and investors, founded private firms. Benz founded the firm Benz & Cie in Mannheim in October 1883, and Daimler founded the trading brand Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) in November 1890. Since 1901, the Daimler company began to produce cars under the Mercedes brand.
The legendary brand got its name from the nickname of the daughter of an Austrian businessman Emil Jellinek named Adriana (Mercedes is the girl's nickname). Her father, Honorary Vice Consul in Monaco, was wealthy and interested in modern technology. At his request, in 1897, Gottlieb Daimler installed a two-cylinder engine with a capacity of 6 horsepower on a vehicle. After the success of this project, he ordered 4 more copies and sold them at a profit.
The same Mercedes
The first Mercedes was the 35 HP, produced in 1901. She had a four-cylinder engine with a volume of almost 6 liters. and a power of 35 hp. The car was characterized by a wide wheelbase, a low center of gravity and an inclined steering column.
Also, a distinctive feature of the brand was the cooler of the "honeycomb" type. The car weighed 900 kg and had a top speed of 80 km/h. The model was designed by Wilhelm Maybach himself.
The first cars and engine brand Mercedes
The merger of the two most famous German manufacturers at that time took place in 1926. Thanks to the deal, the industrialists not only managed to survive in the difficult post-war period, but also significantly expanded their business.
The united concern was named "Daimler-Benz AG", and another outstanding German designer Ferdinand Porsche became the first head, and later the creator of another legendary Porsche brand.
All cars produced after the merger of the companies received the name Mercedes-Benz, in honor of the successful machine company and its founder Karl Benz.
The logo of Daimler-Benz AG becomes a three-pointed star, which is framed by a wreath - the legacy of the Benz logo. In the future, this wreath will be turned into a regular circle, which is still used today. One of the simplest (and recognizable) logos in history has become a symbol of luxury and wealth.
Mercedes company logo
The partnership between Benz and Daimler is one of the longest in history. automotive industry, since both companies in this combination survived until 1998. Their first car together was the Model K.
At the same time, the Mercedes CCK and SSKL appeared, which were designed by Hans Niebel. In addition to the typical sports versions, the manufacturer also offers convertibles and production models with a body adapted to the rally.
Daimler-Benz AG releases one legendary car series after another. Yes, under Ferdinand Porsche introduced the "S" series, a new generation of sports cars. The most famous car and the progenitor of the S-series was the car that was popularly nicknamed the "Death Trap". Having received the name "Mercedes-Benz 24/100/140", the car had a powerful six-cylinder engine and developed a high speed - up to 140 km / h.
The 18/80 HP model, known as the Nürburg 460 (1928), was also famous, equipped with an eight-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4622 cc. cm and a maximum power of 80 liters. With. at 3400 rpm; the 500K and 540K roadsters (30s) and the 770 model called Grosser Mercedes, whose first generation was built from 1930 to 1938. The model had luxury saloon in which Adolf Hitler moved.
first model and mass production diesel Mercedes 260D was launched from 1936 to 1940. The 2.5 liter diesel engine had a power of 45 hp. With. Some of the cars of this brand were subsequently used by the German army.
Second World War almost destroyed the Daimler-Benz AG business. All production facilities of the company were practically destroyed. Factories in Stuttgart, Sindelfingen and Mannheim literally turned into a pile of rubble. In 1945, after the final meeting of the board of directors, a report was even issued, the result of which was the idea that the Daimler-Benz concern no longer exists.
However, despite all the difficulties, Daimler-Benz AG recovered quickly enough and in 1947 launched the 170 model, which had an engine capacity of 1767 m³, 4 cylinders and a power of 52 hp. With. A car that was completely different from previous models was the Mercedes 300 - a limousine formed on a frame with crossed beams. It was equipped with a three-liter six-cylinder engine with 115 hp. s., and its special version was created for the first Federal Chancellor of Germany, Konrad Adenauer.
Among the cars produced by Mercedes-Benz after the Second World War, the 300 SL Coupe stands out with its characteristic "winged" doors that opened with part of the roof. It was the first sport car created after the war. The road version of this unusual vehicle was released in 1954.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe
In February 1954, the 300 SL appeared. In March 1957, the 300 SL Roadster, which Elvis Presley loved, began to be produced.
Cars produced in the 70-90s have also become iconic for the brand.
In 1975-1986, the Mercedes W123, popularly known as the "barrel", was formed. In the 80s, the 190 model debuted, which was produced in the years from 1982 to 1993 and replaced by the C class. At the same time, the popular Mercedes W124 appeared, which was produced until 1997. After that, the W210 appears on the market, since 2002 it has been replaced by the W211, W212 versions. These models are called class E.
Mercedes-Benz W211
In 1998, Mercedes buys shares in the American Chrysler. As a result, Daimler-Benz has gained a chance to get wider access to the US market. This agreement changed the corporate name of the company to Daimler Chrysler, cooperation lasted almost 10 years. The decision to break off cooperation was influenced by the results of the poor financial condition of Chrysler. After the sale of the shares of the American concern, the company returns the name Daimler AG.
Today the company produces models Mercedes class A, B, C and E. Modern cars of the brand are famous for their safety and are still considered the most prestigious in the world. Mercedes S Class even entered the Book of Records as "the most durable car that has ever been released."
Andrey Rodionov, Head of Corporate Communication Department, Mercedes-Benz RUS JSC
- When 130 years ago Karl Benz applied for a patent for a "vehicle powered by gasoline engine This signified the birth of the automobile. In the same year, Gottlieb Daimler created his own car. Thus began the 130-year success story of Mercedes-Benz, we entered the age of speed and the global automotive industry was born.
The patent became part of the UNESCO Memory of the World program, being among such well-known works as the Gutenberg Bible, Magna Carta and Symphony No. 9 in D minor by J.S. Bach. And it is no accident: the inventions of Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, thanks to their ingenuity and entrepreneurial flair, revolutionized the field of transportation, opening up new opportunities for people.
Today's innovations are based on the same values as 130 years ago: safety, comfort, efficiency and faith in success. Thanks to them, the brand demonstrates a dynamic growth in global sales, and in Russia in 2015 it is a confident leader in the premium segment. Mercedes-Benz delights its fans with the premieres expected in Russia - this is the new intelligent E-Class, chic GLS, sports SL and SLC. And, of course, new special offers.
The production of Mercedes in Germany, as well as their sales, has been breaking the company's historical records for the second year in a row. At the end of 2017, the Daimler AG group, which includes Mercedes-Benz, sold about 3.3 million vehicles worldwide, of which the share of Mercedes was 2.3 million. Such success allowed the concern to increase revenue to 164.3 billion euros, and raise net profit to a new high of 10.9 billion euros, up 23.86% year-on-year. This significantly strengthened the position of "Mercedes" as a leader in the premium class segment.
The history of the Mercedes company
The loss of Germany in World War II, the devaluation of its own currency and the strengthening of the position of Ford motor company in the domestic market forced the management of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie to take drastic steps. So, in 1926, by merging two competitors, the world famous car manufacturer Daimler-Benz was born, which was later renamed Daimler AG.
The talented designer Ferdinand Porsche became the chief engineer of the new Stuttgart company. In a short period of time, he was able to completely update the production line and launched the first models of cars on the conveyor, which are now assembled under the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Factories "Mercedes"
The main production facilities of the company for the production of passenger cars are located in three German cities - Sindelfingen, Bremen and Rastatt. A subsidiary is based in Affalterbach division of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, which specializes in the assembly of independent models under the Mercedes-AMG brand and is the only official tuning studio manufacturer.
First and main plant Mercedes Benz has been operating in Germany since 1915 and is based in Sindelfingen.
It assembles cars of class E, S, CLS, S-coupe, GLC and GT.
The Mercedes-Benz Trucks truck plant is located in Werth. In 2013, he celebrated his 50th anniversary. Over the entire period of work, about 4 million trucks were assembled here. It is worth noting that this is the world's largest truck assembly plant.
The headquarters of Mercedes-Benz is located in Stuttgart.
It is part of a whole complex, which is located on the same territory. In addition to the Mercedes office, there is the central office of the Daimler AG concern, the home stadium of the local football club Mercedes-Benz Arena, a branded showroom selling retro and modern cars this brand and more.
The latest models of the company
Mercedes-Benz will delight fans with several new generations in 2019 famous models. Among them, the CLS model deserves special attention, which since 2004 has been delighting owners with its stylish design and strict German practicality.
The European market will also see the CLS 450 with a 367 hp petrol engine this year. With. and models CLS 350 d and CLS 400 d with diesel engines with a capacity of 286 liters. With. and 340 l. With. respectively. They come with a 9-speed automatic transmission.
The most powerful in the line will be the Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 hybrid with a 3.3-liter 6-cylinder turbo engine and an electric motor.
The price of a car in the basic configuration will be 60,571 euros.
In addition, the official German website of the manufacturer offers customers a new compact A-class sedan. At the start of sales in the basic modification of the A200, the car will be equipped with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 163 hp. With. and 7-band automatic with double clutch or 6-speed manual to choose from.
The A250 model will receive a 2-liter gasoline engine with 224 hp. With. A diesel modification will also be available, model A180 d, with an engine power of 116 hp. With. Both motors come with automatic transmission. The price of a car in the basic configuration starts from 30,231.95 euros.
Factory tours
The city of Stuttgart is the birthplace of Mercedes-Benz, so the main museum complex of the company, opened in 2006, is located here. The well-known architectural bureau UNStudio was engaged in the project. At 16,500 sq. m of the museum presents a 130-year history of the manufacturer, which includes 160 cars and more than 1,500 unique exhibits.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 18.00. The closing time of the box office is 17.00. On Mondays and holidays the entrance for visitors is closed. The ticket price for adults is 10 euros, for boys from 15 to 17 years old - 5 euros. Evening entrance ticket (after 16.00) costs 5 and 2.5 euros respectively. Children up to 14 years of age are admitted free of charge.
An audio guide, including in Russian, is included in the price. It is issued upon request at the entrance. Tickets are sold on the official website or at the museum box office. You can also book a car tour in English or German. Ticket price - 5-15 euros depending on the chosen category.
For groups of up to 20 people, an individual tour is available at a cost of 80 euros.
There is an additional charge for admission to the museum. Reservations are made through the Mercedes-Benz Classic Contact Center.
In Bremen, where the Mercedes plant is located, there is another museum German manufacturer. It is interesting in that the tour passes through production facilities factory, and visitors can get an inside look at how cars are made and what makes the brand so special.
The museum is open on Fridays from 14.30. Tours are in German and English. The cost for adults is 18 euros, for children - 10 euros. Tickets are only available at tourist information offices. Booking for a tour is required in advance. For those who buy a car directly from the factory, the tour is free.
Mercedes in Russia
During 2017, about 37,000 cars from Mercedes Germany were sold in Russia. At the same time, in the segment of premium cars, Russia is one of the largest sales markets for the brand in Europe.
At the end of February 2019, the Russian government and the concern signed an agreement on the construction of a new plant in the Moscow region.
It will be located in the Esipovo industrial park. About 15 billion rubles will be allocated for the construction, and the first car should roll off the assembly line as early as 2019. The plant plans to assemble E-class models with further expansion to the production of GLC, GLE and GLS SUVs.
Other car brands made in Germany
Germany is known not only for the fact that it produces Mercedes, but also for the fierce competition within the country between automotive manufacturers for the client. Eminent rivals of Stuttgart include such companies as Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Porsche and Opel.
Conclusion
For more than a century of history, Mercedes-Benz has produced about a hundred different models cars that became legends of their era. Thanks to powerful motors and stylish design, they have won the hearts of many generations around the world. Modern technologies and constant innovations of the concern will surely earn admiration and respect from fans of this brand more than once.
Stuttgart, Germany – Mercedes Benz Museum: Video
November 22 is the birthday of perhaps the most popular car brand in the world. Exactly 110 years ago, the very first Mercedes was assembled at the Daimler Motoren Gesellshaft factory. In honor of significant date We decided to remember how it all began...
Formally, the author of the first Mercedes (still without the prefix Benz - it will appear only after the merger of the two German companies Daimler and Benz in 1926) is considered to be Wilhelm Maybach, a brilliant German designer, and later the founder of his own car company. But it would be highly unfair to ignore the role of Emil Jelinek, a German businessman who lived most of his life in Austria and France. It is with his light hand the beautiful word Mercedes has become a brand of car, which decades later is extolled all over the world.
Every family has its black sheep
Jelinek, who was born in 1853 in Leipzig, can be considered a rich man, an eccentric, and an idler, but it would be more accurate to call him a child who refused to grow up. The middle of the three sons of an influential rabbi, Emil, just like in Russian folk tales, grew up a fool, while his brothers were smart and quick-witted. The younger one, Max-Hermann, became a well-known linguist throughout Europe, and the elder Georg, a teacher of law no less respected in the Old World and, by the way, one of the authors of the Declaration on the Rights of Man. Well, Emil turned out to be a shaped blockhead. He did not like studying, having changed several schools at once, but he loved to play on the nerves of pious parents. At the tender age of 17, Jelinek, the middle, to the unspeakable surprise of the family and the obvious indignation of his father, got a job as a clerk in the local railway company. Not that Emil was seduced by the prospect of working honestly for one salary. God forbid! However, a low-prestigious position opened up interesting opportunities for the young man. At night, he, along with the same stunners and daredevils, arranged ... races on steam locomotives, taking illegal bets on the outcome of the races. When the authorities found out about this "innocent" hobby, Emil flew out into the street with a bang. Out of harm's way, the parents sent the 19-year-old loafer to France, and soon the father, taking advantage of his connections, placed his son on a diplomatic mission in Morocco.
The young man reacted calmly to the exile to the end of the world. Moreover, it was in Africa that he laid the foundation for his carefree future. After beguiling the Spanish Jewess Rachel Goggman, the daughter of a local tobacco planter, Jelinek soon began exporting tobacco to Europe. In addition, by chance, he took a vacant position in the local branch of a large French bank, and a successful game on the stock exchange increased his capital.
Along the way, having slacked off from military service - for health reasons, how, how! - After some time, Jelinek returned to Europe already a rich man. He bought a house in Austrian Baden, and from autumn to spring rolled off to the French Riviera, where a whole bunch of European aristocrats and wealthy idlers spent the winter. The boredom that accompanies any well-fed life, Emil dispersed with the help of the most expensive and trendy hobby of the late 19th century - the love of cars.
Who calls the music
Emil, who followed all the automotive trends, was well aware that most of the races held at that time were won by cars equipped with Daimler engines. Therefore, he immediately ordered two cars with a capacity of 4 and 9 hp at once. The latter, according to the company, could develop more than an impressive 40 km / h on a good road (and only with a fair wind)!
In fact, the 9-horsepower Daimler Phoenix moved no faster than 25 km / h. Convinced of insufficient speed, Jelinek told Stuttgart that he would buy four more cars, provided that their maximum speed was about 50 km / h.
If I can't go much faster on a self-propelled carriage than on horses, then why buy a car at all?! he called to common sense Daimler and Maybach.
German designers, on the contrary, considered the increase in power to be dangerous. But the paid order for 4 cars was too serious a promise to refuse it.
Having received a quartet of more powerful Phoenix, Emil cheered up. "Exactly what is needed!" he telegraphed to Stuttgart. And leaving one copy for himself, Jelinek decided to sell the remaining three. In Nice, a real land of millionaires, it was not difficult.
Baron Arthur Rothschild, like many representatives of the establishment, who killed winter boredom on the Cote d'Azur, had a habit of taking car walks around Nice in the morning. “Thus, I amuse the commoners,” he told his friends, laughing, rejoicing at his own wit. What was the baron's surprise when, one fine morning, his Pahnard was boldly and, as they say, without a chance, bypassed a stranger in a brand new Daimler. Arthur found that fast car belongs to a certain gentleman hiding under the pseudonym "Monsieur Mercedes". Of course, it was Jelinek himself. Rothschild tracked down the "offender" and immediately ... bought his car.
Why did Jelinek hide behind a pseudonym? Call it a whim of the rich or just a desire to avoid publicity, but at that time wealthy gentlemen often used fictitious names. Let's say another member of the Rothschild family of multimillionaires, Henry, was announced at the start of racing competitions as "Dr. Pascal". Jelinek chose his pseudonym for a reason. Perhaps because of his strong affection for his half-Jewish, half-Spanish wife, Emil had an extremely warm feeling for all things Spanish. He was fluent in this language, and, according to his son, "everything that was connected with this country occupied a special place in his heart." Well, the female name "Mercedes", that is, "merciful", according to Jelinek's deep conviction, brought happiness to his family. So in the home circle, Emil called his daughter Mercedes, although her real name is Adrianna Marrieta Ramona Jelinek. In the same way, our hero also christened ... a house in Baden, and his two villas in Nice are known as "Villa Mercedes - 1" and "Villa Mercedes - 2". Subsequently, numerous boats and yachts of Emil will bear the "merciful" name, and the final apotheosis of a slightly unhealthy habit will be the change of his own surname to Jelinek-Mercedes.
However, we are getting ahead of ourselves. Having sold the first Daimler to Rothschild, “Monsieur Mercedes” did not calm down. Jelinek went to Stuttgart, where the mechanics of Daimler Motoren Geselsahft slightly tuned his Phoenix. Two weeks later, Emil, without a twinge of conscience, repeated the trick with overtaking, again furnishing the baron's car.
Rothschild would have been offended by such a sophisticated form of swindle, but instead he again took out his checkbook. "By big secret» learning from Emil that Daimler is developing even more powerful models, generous Artur promised to buy them too... Without delay, Jelinek placed an order for 6 more cars.
By that time, his business reputation and acumen allowed him to literally dictate terms to the owners of Daimler Motoren Gesellshaft, personally insisting on certain technical solutions. Emil ordered that four-cylinder engines be installed on a new batch of cars ( previous models had only two cylinders), and the engines should be located in front of the car. At the end of the 19th century, such a solution did not at all seem as obvious as it is today.
But think for yourself, because the horse is always in front of the carriage, - twirling his mustache, Jelinek admonished his partners from DMG. - Well, since the motor, in fact, replaces the horse, then he must pull the car along with him!
No matter how banal and primitive these explanations and arguments may seem, today there is no doubt that Jelinek was right and far-sighted. Then in Stuttgart, shrugging their shoulders, yielded to the wishes of a generous customer. Truly: who pays, he orders the music.
As before, Emil kept the first car from the new batch for himself, deciding to show up at the start of the Nice Car Week - perhaps the most prestigious race of the turn of the century. The pathos event, which took place every spring, gathered the entire beau monde of the Côte d'Azur and consisted of three parts: a high-speed hill climb, a one-mile sprint and an endurance race of about 200 miles. To help his successful sales agent, Daimler sent experienced mechanic Wilhelm Bauer to help Jelinek. But "Monsieur Mercedes" on the 28-horsepower Phoenix could not shine in any of the three disciplines. Even worse: exactly one year later, in March 1900, a real tragedy broke out during the next Automobile Week. At the start of a high-speed 1-mile race, the same Wilhelm Bauer, this time driving himself, lost control and crashed into a stone wall in the first turn. The rider died the next day in the hospital.
A new beginning
Just a few days before this tragedy, Gottlieb Daimler also died unexpectedly, so that depression and pessimism reigned at the plant in Stuttgart. In his heart, Maybach decided to retire from motorsport forever. The talented designer had no doubt: the pursuit of horsepower will only lead to more sacrifices. And, of course, he blamed Jelinek for all the sins, who unleashed an arms race.
He, in turn, thought otherwise. “Refusing to race is tantamount to suicide for the company,” he urged Maybach. “No one will buy a car of a brand that does not win competitions and does not get into the pages of newspapers!”
In addition, Jelinek believed, and, in general, also not unreasonably, that main reason Bauer's disaster became not so much heavy-duty - as much as 28 hp, don't you forget?! - the motor, how much the design of the machine itself. Daimler Phoenix with a high center of gravity not only looked awkward, but also had a tendency to roll over. In the end, Maybach was convinced of the need to create a completely new car.
This happened, however, not earlier than Jelinek promised to buy out the entire batch of 36 cars with a total value of 550 thousand marks. In return, he got a seat on the DMG Supervisory Board, and also insisted on one more condition - the model must have a new name.
The name Daimler is poorly perceived outside of Germany, Emil assured. - Meanwhile, the name of the machine must be sonorous and memorable in all languages. Why not name the car Mercedes?
Maybach didn't argue. Firstly, the logic in the words of Jelinek, of course, was present - in France, say, the largest car sales market at that time, the rights to trademark Daimler was held by Pahnard Levassor. And most importantly, there was no time left for disputes - according to the contract, the car should be ready by October 15th. If it was a simple upgrade of the Phoenix model, then there would be no problems, but a completely new design was on the agenda: from wheels to seats.
In addition, the work was complicated by constant telegrams from Jelinek, who continued to gush with ideas and rationalization proposals. By some miracle, Maybach, who worked on the car together with Gottlieb Daimler's son, Paul, managed to almost meet the deadline. The first assembled Mercedes was completed on November 22, 1900.
For the beginning of the century, the design turned out to be simply avant-garde, from a frame made of pressed metal to the first honeycomb radiator in history, which required significantly less water for effective cooling motor. More importantly, in order to increase the power potential, Maybach went in an unconventional way for those years. He did not significantly increase engine power, focusing on reducing the curb weight of the car.
Mercedes 35 hp, as you might guess from the name, developed 35 horses, was only slightly more powerful than the same 28-horsepower Daimler Phoenix, but the Mercedes weighed a little more than a ton, while its predecessor weighed all two! Not surprisingly, the car accelerated to almost 100 km / h. At the same time, the 6-liter engine itself, by the way, with an aluminum crankcase, double camshaft and dual carburetor, was installed as low as possible in the frame, significantly improving stability at high speed.
After a short road test and some fine tuning, the first Mercedes was delivered to the Villa Jelinek in Nice. And for the traditional March starts of the Automotive Week, the Daimler plant sent a factory team to the Cote d'Azur - driver Wilhelm Werner and mechanic Herman Braun.
Jelinek and Maybach could not dream about what happened later even in their sweetest dreams. New Mercedes 35 hp literally trampled all rivals, winning in the sprint race, and climbing the hill, and in the 244-mile endurance race. By the end of the week, the name Mercedes was on the lips of the wealthy of the Riviera, as well as on the pages of newspapers and magazines.
At the request of Jelinek, Werner and Braun were given a bonus of 1000 marks each, and at the plant in Stuttgart they urgently installed a spacious four-seater body on the chassis of the 35th to show the public that the best racing car of the year can already be bought. And the sales started. But how! Among the first owners of the car are the names of all the major millionaires of the era: Rockefeller and Astor, Morgan and Taylor. Money rained down on the Daimler Motoren Geselshaft.
My friend, Maybach wrote to Jelinek. - I must admit that your merit in the appearance of this car is no less than mine. Together with you, we can equally be considered the creators of Mercedes!
Alas, the idyll did not last long. How more cars assembled in the workshops of Daimler Motoren Gesellshaft, the more thoughtful they became in Stuttgart. After all, Emil, as an exclusive importer, bought cars at the factory price, and resold them with a very tangible profit, which settled exclusively in his pockets. At one time, the tobacco and banking business, together with stock exchange fraud, made Jelinek just a wealthy person, but trade Mercedes cars turned him into a millionaire buying up real estate, casinos and yachts almost in bulk. Moreover, fabulous wealth did not change his bad character at all. Jelinek's demands and proposals eventually began to resemble blackmail. (“I won’t take another car until you make the gearbox work silent. Everyone knows that Daimler put the noisiest transmissions!”)
Full of mutual accusations and attacks, the relationship between DMG and Jelinek lasted for several more years. After Maybach left the firm in 1905, Emil completely went off the rails, in private conversations speaking of the company's engineers only as "these donkeys." After another demarche, the patience of the company's management snapped and the contract with Monsieur Mercedes was terminated.
Instead of an afterword
As is customary to say in such cases, the parties parted to mutual satisfaction. By then, the success of the 35, anchored by the simpler and more affordable Simplex, had made the Mercedes brand synonymous with automobile superlatives.
Jelinek retired from the automotive business after his divorce from Daimler Motoren Geselshaft, resuming his diplomatic career. He served in the Austro-Hungarian consulate in Nice, then in Mexico, and then in Monaco, where he acquired several casinos along the way. But with the outbreak of the First World War, difficult days came for Emil. The Austro-Hungarian government suspected him of being a French spy, and Emil moved to France with his family, where he was immediately accused of spying for Germany. In the end, Jelinek moved to neutral Switzerland, where he died in January 1918 at the age of 64. All his French property was confiscated.
Even sadder was the fate of Adrianna Marrieta Ramona Jelinek, whom the whole world knows as the girl in whose honor the Mercedes is named. Emil's daughter got into the pages of the press only on scandalous occasions: she got married twice and both times were extremely unsuccessful. She was not even forty when Mercedes Jelinek died of cancer in 1929.
Danila Mikhailov
It is not often that a manufacturing or trading company can be proud of the fact that its history of origin and development spans more than a century. Mercedes Benz, which is today one of the divisions of the international concern Daimler AG, can certainly do this. After all, its history began in the 19th century, already distant for us.
Founders of Mercedes-Benz
At the origins of this world-famous German company, which produces not only premium cars, but also buses, trucks and other vehicles, there were three people: Gottlieb Daimler (1834-1900), Wilhelm Maybach(1846-1929) and Karl Benz (1844-1929).
Having worked for more than ten years in the first company selling internal combustion engines "Gasmotorenfabrik Deutz AG" for Nikolaus Otto, G. Daimler and W. Maybach left him in 1882 and opened their own business in one of the districts of Stuttgart (Bad Cannstat). They start developing carriage carriage with a high-speed engine, and already in 1886 they received a patent for it.
Working completely independently of them, Karl Benz in 1883 established his "Benz & Co", intending to start producing self-propelled three-wheeled motor carriage with a gasoline engine, for which he also receives a patent in 1886. The idea that a car with four wheels is more expedient comes to his mind later.
Karl Benz's first car
Benz’s three-wheeled car, which is not in great demand, would have remained in the backyard of history if it were not for the original decision of the designer’s wife, Berta, who (with purely feminine resourcefulness) helped draw the attention of potential buyers to the creation of a talented, but somewhat unlucky husband.
On a summer morning in 1888, Berta (without the knowledge of her husband), taking her two sons, went to tricycle to his parents from Mannheim to Pfarzheim, which was 90 km. On the way, Frau Benz refueled with gasoline, sold in those years only in pharmacies, as a remedy for skin diseases.
After her triumphant journey, which was accompanied by numerous stops and stories about Karl's progressive and practical invention, the whole of Germany learned about this car, and the business of the Benz company went uphill.
By the way, it was thanks to the smart and technically savvy Berta that later on, Transmission and added lanterns for driving at night.
The history of the Mercedes brand
In 1901, the designer of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, Wilhelm Maybach, managed to create a successful model of the car, which especially attracted the Austrian consul in Nice, as well as the head of the French representative office of the company, Emil Jellinek.
Being a man not only fanatically passionate about cars, but also professional driver, E. Jellinek was also very practical. And engaging in personal distribution and sales new development contributed to its popularization. In this connection, he was able to convince Gottlieb Daimler to change the name of the model to the name of his youngest daughter- Mercedes, which means "merciful."
That is how, with the light hand of E. Jellinek, and also because of legal disagreements over the right to the Daimler brand with Pahnard Levassor, the car received a new name and in 1902 became the official trademark of the company.
Having won several auto races at once, Mercedes becomes a car that made a splash. Still: after all, its speed reached unprecedented at that time 60 km / h. European newspapers were full of headlines, quoting the phrase of the President of the Paris Automobile Club: "We have entered the era of Mercedes."
Development before connection
Daimler begins mass production of cars according to the patent in 1889. And his Stahlradwager become the world's first mass-produced cars. The company patents a V-engine, a 4-speed gearbox and a 4-cylinder block. Benz, on the other hand, launches his serial Velo-Motorwagen much later, only in 1894.
It is noteworthy that in the same year the famous first world car race, designed to prove the reliability of the latest inventions of design thought, in which 15 out of 21 cars came to the finish line, and among them were Daimler and Benz models.
So, quite successfully working on the production of not only new cars, but also the most different engines(for ships and aircraft), and even doing airships for some time, in 1901 Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft creates a car that was destined to become a legend. The famous Mercedes. And it becomes clear to Benz that his company lost in this race.
However, it was not worth talking about the final loss, because with the arrival of the talented designer Hans Nibel at Benz & Co, things are getting better, and the company successfully manages to release many new models, including racing cars, trucks and omnibuses.
And only after many years of competition, as a result of a deep crisis that engulfed the European economy, the two founders of the German automotive industry come to the decision to merge the companies into a single concern.
Merging two giants
This fateful event for the global automotive industry took place in 1924. And already in 1926, the united community, whose central office was located at that time in Berlin, received the name Daimler-Benz AG.
The merger took place a quarter of a century after the death of Gottlieb Daimler, when his father's company had long been headed by his son, Paul. He was also an outstanding designer: for example, it was he who invented volumetric supercharger of the engine, which allowed to increase its power by almost one and a half times.
The most talented Ferdinand Porsche became the chief designer of the united concern, almost completely updating production program companies. It is he who owns the development of the famous S series.
Since Daimler still had problems with the brand name in some European countries, it was decided to sell jointly produced cars under the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Mercedes logo. History of occurrence
From the very beginning, the now world-famous three-pointed star was invented by Gottlieb Daimler at the end of the 19th century. He marked his house on the map for her, while uttering a prophetic phrase to his wife: “Someday it will rise above our factory, bringing happiness and good luck”. The three rays of the star are explained by the fact that at the dawn of its existence, the Daimler company was engaged in engines not only for cars, but also for ships and aircraft. Thus, the sign symbolized her superiority in three elements at once: water, earth and air.
Approved in 1909 and patented, this star is the permanent symbol of the company and still is.
Factories "Mercedes-Benz"
After the merger that had a positive effect on the fate of the concern, the company continued to develop, firmly gaining a reputation for itself. manufacturer luxury cars . And with the outbreak of World War II, it also switched to the manufacture of trucks for military needs and aircraft engines for aircraft of the German army. Because of this, being strategically important objects, the company's factories by 1945 were almost completely destroyed by bombing.
However, it took only a year to restore production from the ruins. And already in 1946 Mercedes-Benz resumes car assembly, having released more than 200 cars from the assembly line. And the next (1947) restores the manufacture of the prestigious car those times - a limousine "Mercedes-Benz 170V".
Since then, the series has been updated regularly, and the company deservedly takes the place of the leader in the production of some of the most reliable, high-quality and flawless cars in the world.
