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Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. It is currently a division of the parent company, Daimler AG (formerly DaimlerChrysler AG), after previously being owned by Daimler-Benz. Mercedes-Benz has its origins in Karl Benz's creation of the first automobile in January 1886,[1] and by Gottlieb Daimler and engineer Wilhelm Maybach's conversion of a carriage by the addition of a petrol engine the same year. The Mercedes automobile was first marketed in 1901. The first Mercedes-Benz brand name vehicles were produced in 1926, following the merger of Karl Benz's and Gottlieb Daimler's companies into the Daimler-Benz company.[1] Mercedes-Benz has introduced many technological and safety innovations that have become common in other vehicles several years later
Mercedes-Benz automobiles are available at dealerships in more than 129 countries and their work fleet (trucks and commercial) vehicles are available from a group of dealers worldwide as well as direct from the factory. As with several other European automobile brands, Mercedes-Benz offer a European delivery option for international customers who purchase a Mercedes-Benz automobile.
[edit] Quality
Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz had a reputation for quality and durability. Objective measures looking at passenger vehicles such as J.D. Power surveys demonstrated a downturn in reputation in this area in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By mid-2005, Mercedes temporarily returned to the industry average for initial quality, a measure of problems after the first 90 days of ownership, according to J.D. Power.[2] In J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study for the first quarter of 2007, Mercedes showed dramatic improvement by climbing from 25th to 5th place, surpassing quality leader Toyota and earning several awards for its models. [3] For 2008, Mercedes-Benz's initial quality rating improved by yet another mark, now in fourth place.[4] On top of this accolade, it also received the Platinum Plant Quality Award for its Mercedes’ Sindelfingen, Germany assembly plant.[4] As of 2009, Consumer Reports of the United States has changed their reliability ratings for several Mercedes-Benz vehicles to "average," and recommending the E-Class and the S-Class.[5]
[edit] Motorsport
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Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (June 2008)
Main Article Mercedes-Benz in motorsport.
A DMG Mercedes Simplex 1906 in the Deutsches Museum
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Cabriolet
1959 Mercedes-Benz W120 Model 180
The two companies which were merged to form the Mercedes-Benz brand in 1926 had both already enjoyed success in the new sport of motor racing throughout their separate histories- both had entries in the very first automobile race Paris to Rouen 1894. This has continued, and throughout its long history, the company has been involved in a range of motorsport activities, including sports car racing and rallying. On several occasions Mercedes-Benz has withdrawn completely from motorsport for a significant period, notably in the late 1930s and after the 1955 Le Mans disaster, where a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR collided with another car and killed more than eighty spectators. Although there was some activity in the intervening years, it was not until 1987 that Mercedes-Benz returned to front line competition, returning to Le Mans, DTM, and F-1 sports car racing with Sauber.
The 1990s saw Mercedes-Benz purchase engine builder Ilmor (now Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines), and campaign cars at the famed Indy 500 race under the USAC/CART rules, eventually winning that race with Al Unser, Jr. at the wheel. The 90's also saw the return of Mercedes-Benz to GT racing, and the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, both of which took the company to new heights by dominating the FIA's GT1 class.
Mercedes-Benz is currently active in three forms of motorsport, Formula Three, DTM and Formula One. In Formula One, the company part owns Team McLaren and has supplied the team with engines engineered by Ilmor[6] since 1995. This partnership has brought success, including Drivers Championships for Mika Häkkinen in 1998 and 1999 and for Lewis Hamilton in 2008, as well as a Constructors Championship in 1998. The collaboration with McLaren has been extended into the production of roadgoing cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
[edit] Business alliances (Studebaker-Packard Corporation)
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In 1958 Mercedes-Benz entered into a distribution agreement with the Studebaker-Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana (USA), makers of Studebaker and Packard brand automobiles. Under the deal, Studebaker would allow Mercedes-Benz access to their U.S. dealer network, handle shipments of vehicles to those dealers, and in return receive compensation for each car sold. Studebaker also was permitted to use the German automaker’s name in its advertisements, which stressed Studebaker's quality over quantity.
When Studebaker entered into informal discussions with Franco-American automaker Facel Vega about offering their Facel Vega Excellence model in the United States, Mercedes-Benz objected to the proposal. Studebaker, which needed Mercedes-Benz distribution payments to help stem heavy losses, dropped further action on the plan.
Mercedes-Benz maintained an office within the Studebaker works in South Bend from 1958 to 1963 when Studebaker's U.S. operations ceased. Many U.S Studebaker dealers converted to Mercedes-Benz dealerships at that time. When Studebaker closed its Canadian operation and left the automobile business in 1966, remaining Studebaker dealers had the option to convert their dealerships to Mercedes-Benz dealership agreements.
[edit] Production
Besides its native Germany, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also manufactured or assembled in:
Argentina[7](buses, trucks and the Sprinter van. The first factory of Mercedes-Benz outside of Germany)
Austria (G-Class)[8]
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil[9] (buses, trucks, C-class passenger cars (export only), established in 1956)
Canada
China
Egypt[10]
Hungary (construction of a new plant in the country announced on June 18, 2008, for next generation A- and B-Class)[11] [12]
India[13]
Indonesia[14]
Iran
Malaysia[15]
Mexico
Nigeria[16] (buses, trucks, utility motors and the van Sprinter)
South Africa[17]
South Korea (Mercedes-branded Musso and MB100 models manufactured by SsangYong Motor Company)
Thailand[18]
Turkey[19]
United Kingdom (The SLR sports car is built at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking).
USA
[edit] Models
[edit] Mercedes-Benz range today
Mercedes-Benz has a full range of passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial equipment. Production is on a global basis. The Smart brand of city cars has also been part of the Mercedes-Benz Group since 1994.
[edit] Passenger cars
See also: List of Mercedes-Benz cars
Pope Benedict XVI in a Mercedes-Benz Popemobile in São Paulo, BrazilThe following passenger vehicles were in production in 2009:
A-Class Hatchback
B-Class Sports Tourer/Hatchback
C-Class Sedan, Sports Coupe & Wagon
CL-Class Coupe
CLK-Class Coupe & Cabriolet
CLS-Class "4-door Coupe"
CLC-Class luxury compact car
E-Class Sedan & Wagon
G-Class Cross-country vehicle
GL-Class SUV
GLK-Class SUV
M-Class SUV
R-Class Sports Tourer
S-Class Sedan
SL-Class Roadster
SLK-Class Roadster
SLR-McLaren High Performance Coupe & Roadster
[edit] Significant car models produced
1928: SSK legendary racing car
1930: 770 "Grosser Mercedes" state and ceremonial car
1934: 500 K
1936: 260 D World's first diesel production car
1936: 170
1938: W195 Speed Record-breaker
1951: Mercedes-Benz 300, knownly as "Adenauer Mercedes"
1953: "Ponton" Models
1954: 300SL "Gullwing"
1959: "Fintail" Models
1960: 220SE Cabriolet
1963: 600 "Grand Mercedes"
1963: 230SL "Pagoda"
1965: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
1966: 300SEL 6.3
1969: C111 experimental vehicle
1972: Mercedes-Benz W107 350SL
1974: 450SEL 6.9
1974: 240D
1975: 280
1976: 300D
1979: 500SEL and G-Class
1983: 190E 2.3-16
1986: First 'E-Class'
1991: 600SEL
1993: First 'C-Class'
1995: First 'Joint Mercedes-Benz & AMG' (C43 AMG)
1995: Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG, 7.3L V12 (biggest engine ever put in a Mercedes-Benz)
1996: Mercedes-Benz Renntech E7.4RS
1997: Mercedes-Benz M-Class
1998: Mercedes-Benz CLK
2004: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
2004: Mercedes-Benz CLS
2007: E320, GL320 Bluetec, ML320 Bluetec, R320 Bluetec
See also: List of Mercedes-Benz cars
[edit] McLaren cars
A silver SLR McLaren on display at the 2006 European Motor Show in Brussels.Mercedes-Benz has also produced a sports car with McLaren Cars, an extension of the collaboration by which Mercedes engines are used by the Team McLaren-Mercedes Formula One racing team, which is part owned by Mercedes. The 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren has a carbon fiber/fibre body with a 5.4l V8 supercharged engine. This is the same block as featured in SL55 AMG and the CLS55 AMG, though modified to give 460 kW (630 PS; 620 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lb) of torque. The SLR has a maximum speed of 337 kilometres per hour (209 mph) and costs approximately US$500,000. Due to European pedestrian-protection regulations, McLaren has decided to cease production of the SLR in 2009.[20]
The most recent new joint-venture model, expected to reach production, is the mid-engine P8 sports car. Based around a unique carbon fiber/fibre monocoque, manufactured by McLaren, the P8 was originally predicted to receive the new naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 from Mercedes-AMG, but insiders[citation needed] now say that the engine will be modified for the car and will probably be twin- turbocharged to produce in excess of 600 bhp (450 kW). The car is still in development, but likely to reach production to go on sale in early 2008, and have a price tag less than that of the SLR.
[edit] Car nomenclature
In 1994 (starting with the 1994 models), the traditional nomenclature of Mercedes-Benz vehicles changed. Since the early days of the company the name would be in the form of 500E where the engine displacement made up the first three numbers and the last letter(s) represented the type of engine and/or chassis; for example: "E" for fuel injection ("Einspritzung" in German), "D" for Diesel, "L" for long wheelbase etc.
In 1994, this was altered so that the prefix reflected the model ("class", German "Klasse", in Mercedes-Benz terminology) and a number the displacement. The suffix was retained in some cases, for example "L" for long wheelbase, and "CDI" for Diesel (CDI = Common rail Direct Injection). Thus, the 500E in the example above became the E500 ("E-Klasse", 5 liters displacement). It should also be noted that while in the past the model number generally accurately reflected the actual engine displacement, this is currently not always the case - for example the E200 CDI and E220 CDI actually both have a 2.2 liter/litre displacement, and the C240 actually has a 2.6 liter/litre engine.
BlueHYBRID is used for hybrid electric vehicles [21].
[edit] Electric vehicles
At the 2007 Frankfurt motor show, Mercedes-Benz showed seven hybrid models, including the F700 concept car which combined hybrid drive with the innovative DiesOtto engine.[22][23] In 2009, the S400 hybrid sedan is scheduled to go on sale.[24]
On the other hand, Mercedes-Benz says it will have a demonstration fleet of practical, if small, electric vehicles on the road in two to three years, from 2008. [25]
Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID,[21] will be launched in calendar 2009 and will be the first production automotive hybrid in the world to use a lithium ion battery.[26] [27]
Mercedes-Benz BlueZero was introduzed in the 2009 North American International Auto Show.
Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page.
[edit] Concept models
Interior of the Ocean Drive Concept.Mercedes-Benz C111 - sports car and test vehicle for different high performance engines (wankelengine and later diesel engines)
Mercedes-Benz Auto 2000 - 4-door sedan
Mercedes-Benz NAFA - microcar
Mercedes-Benz C112 - sports car and mule
Mercedes-Benz F 100 - Car introduced in 1991
Mercedes-Benz F 200 Imagination - 2-door coupe introduced in 1996 Paris Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz F 300 Life Jet - 3-wheel car/motorcycle unveiled in 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show
Vario Research Car - One car, four vehicles
Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR - Prototype of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, unveiled in 1999 North American International Auto Show
Mercedes-Benz Vision SLA - convertible with details of the SLR, but based on the A-Class platform, unveiled in 2000 North American International Auto Show
Mercedes-Benz F 400 Carving - A 2-seat roadster unveiled in 2002 Tokyo Motor Show
Mercedes Benz F 500 Mind - 4-door fastback sedan unveiled in 2003 Tokyo Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz F 600 HYGENIUS - compact fuel cell car, unveiled in 2005 Tokyo Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz Bionic - Car unveiled in 2005 DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington, modeled after boxfish
Mercedes-Benz Ocean Drive - a 4-door convertible based on the S600
Mercedes-Benz F700 - Large luxury saloon featuring the small capacity / high output DiesOtto engine, unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION - Shooting-brake giving a preview of the W212, unveiled at 2008 Paris Motor Show
Mercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID
[edit] Buses
Main article: Mercedes-Benz buses
Mercedes-Benz also produces buses, mainly for Europe and Asia.
The first factory to be built outside Germany after WWII was in Argentina. It originally built trucks, many of which where modified independently to buses, popularly named Colectivo. Today it builds buses, trucks and the Sprinter Van.
[edit] Vans
Mercedes-Benz VarioMercedes-Benz produces a range of vans. The current (January 2009) range consists of:
Mercedes-Benz Vito — Light Van based on the Viano MPV with a payload of approx 1 tonne
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter — Mid-sized van with payloads of 2 to 6 tonne (produced as a Dodge in USA and Canada with the name Freightliner Sprinter. A joint venture.)
Sprinter 414 416CDI ambulance
Sprinter 316CDI light ambulance
Mercedes-Benz Vario — Heavy van with similar load to a light truck (7.5 tonne)
Previous models include:
Mercedes-Benz TN or T1 - Mid Sized van predecessor to the sprinter
Mercedes-Benz T2 - Heavy Van
All other previous models on the German wikipedia
[edit] Trucks
Mercedes-Benz is one of the world's largest manufacturer of trucks.[citation needed]
The current (January 2009) range consists of:
Mercedes-Benz Atego — Light truck from 7 to 16t
Mercedes-Benz Axor — Mid-sized truck from 18 to 26t in rigid and articulated
Mercedes-Benz Actros — Heavy duty rigid and premium articulated — 18 to 250t
Mercedes-Benz Econic — Low floor version of the Axor for refuse and specialist applications
Mercedes-Benz Unimog — For special purpose applications and transport across extreme terrain
Mercedes-Benz Zetros — off-road truck for extreme operations
1828L (F581) Mobile Casualty Treatment Centre
1517L Mobile Casualty Treatment Centre
[edit] Bicycles
Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH introduced 3 new bicycles in 2005, named Automatic Bike, Fitness Bike, Mountain Bike.[28] The bikes are sold in Australia,[29] Germany, and Russia.[30]
List of bicycles:
Mercedes-Benz Automatic Bike
Mercedes-Benz Carbon Bike
Mercedes-Benz Fitness Bike
Mercedes-Benz Hybrid Bike
Mercedes-Benz Mountain Bike
Mercedes-Benz Street Bike
[edit] Tuners
Several companies have become car tuners (or modifiers) of Mercedes Benz, in order to increase performance and/or luxury to a given model.
[edit] In house
AMG is Mercedes-Benz's in-house performance-tuning division, specializing in high-performance versions of most Mercedes-Benz cars. AMG engines are all hand-built [31] and each completed engine receives a tag with the signature of the engineer who built it. AMG has been wholly owned by Mercedes-Benz since 1999.[32]
[edit] Aftermarket tuners
There are numerous independent tuners:
Brabus
Carlsson
Kicherer
Kleemann
Lorinser
Renntech
MKB
