A Century of Automotive History: The Birth of Mercedes-Benz

(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) – In the summer of 1926, a company was formed whose name and symbolism continue to significantly shape the automotive world to this day. With the formal merger of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) and Benz & Cie. on June 28 and 29, 1926, Daimler-Benz AG was established.

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This step, which retroactively took effect on January 1, 1926, had been meticulously prepared since 1924 within the framework of a consortium. As early as April 25, 1925, this consortium had registered the word mark “Mercedes-Benz” with the patent office.

At the time, Deutsche Bank suggested a merger of Benz and Daimler, also because it could exchange claims for shares in the new company. The companies emerging from the work of both automotive pioneers, Benz & Co Rheinische Gasmotorenfabrik Mannheim (from 1899: Benz & Cie.) and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, merged on June 28, 1926, to form Daimler-Benz AG with headquarters in Berlin.

With the final merger, the traditional lines of the two great automobile inventors Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler came together. Benz had patented the automobile in 1886, while Daimler constructed his four-wheeled motor carriage in the same year – the foundation for a 140-year history of innovation.

A world-famous trademark is born

A decisive milestone for the worldwide radiance of the new brand followed shortly after the company’s founding: On August 21, 1926, the joint trademark was officially registered. It combined the most distinctive elements of both predecessor companies into one of today’s internationally best-known and most valuable logos.

The three-pointed Mercedes star of DMG was surrounded by the classic laurel wreath of Benz & Cie., complemented by the embedded word marks “Mercedes” and “Benz”. This prestigious logo has adorned the manufacturer’s vehicles unchanged to the present day and has stood for a century as a synonym for technical excellence, quality, reliability, and innovation.

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The first model offensive in the founding year

The newly created brand celebrated its first major public appearance at the Berlin Motor Show, which took place from October 29 to November 7, 1926. The first joint product program presented there thrilled the specialist audience and immediately set new standards. Among the most important world premieres of passenger cars were the Mercedes-Benz 8/38 PS (series W 02) and the larger displacement 12/55 PS (series W 03).

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In addition to the standard models, the company also showed the exclusive model K in Berlin. After considerable success in touring car racing, this type was firmly included in the regular sales program in April 1927 as a sporty top model for particularly demanding customers, thus establishing a long tradition of exclusive sportiness.

Innovations in the commercial vehicle sector

The historic trade fair appearance in 1926 was rounded off by a completely new commercial vehicle program. Skoda or Daimler designs also drove progress here: the truck types L 1, L 2, and L 5 were shown, designed for payloads from one to five tons.

For passenger transport and special bodies, the low-frame chassis N 1 and N 2 were available. As a special technological highlight, Daimler-Benz also presented the innovative type NJ 5, which revolutionized functional space utilization in commercial vehicle construction with an early front-engine arrangement for bus and truck bodies.

Mercedes classics in the test report:
Mercedes Simplex 28/32 PS (1904) in the test report: Modern Methuselah
Mercedes 240 D (W 123) in the test report: Power for the farmer

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