TOYOTA

Toyota Automobiles, Luxury and commercial Vehicles and engines, Japan

For other uses, see Toyota (disambiguation).

Toyota

Let’s Go Places (US)
Toyota’s new headquarters building in Toyota City, Japan
Native name	トヨタ自動車株式会社
Romanized name	Toyota Jidosha KK
Type	Public (K.K.)
Traded as	TYO: 7203 LSE: TYT NYSE: TM
Industry	Automotive
Founded	August 28, 1937; 78 years ago
Founder	Kiichiro Toyoda
Headquarters	Toyota, Aichi, Japan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Takeshi Uchiyamada(Chairman) Akio Toyoda (President and CEO)
Products	Automobiles, luxury vehicles, commercial vehicles, engines
Production output	9,909,440 units (CY 2012)
Services	Banking, financing, leasing
Revenue	¥27.234 trillion (FY 2015)
Operating income	¥2.750 trillion (FY 2015)
Profit	¥2.173 trillion (FY 2015)
Total assets	¥47.729 trillion (FY 2015)
Total equity	¥16.788 trillion (FY 2015)
Owner	Japan Trustee Services Bank(9.61%) Toyota Industries Corporation(6.48%) The Master Trust Bank of Japan (5.27%) State Street Bank and Trust Company (3.72%) Nippon Life Insurance Company (3.54%)
Number of employees	344,109 (2015)
Divisions	Lexus Scion
Subsidiaries	545 List
Slogan	Leads You Ahead Drive Your Dreams Quality Revolution (India) Let’s Go Places Moving Forward Let’s Go Beyond
Website	Toyota Global

Toyota Motor Corporation (Japanese: トヨタ自動車株式会社Hepburn: Toyota Jidōsha KK^?, IPA: [toꜜjota], /tɔɪˈoʊtə/) is a Japanese automotive manufacturer headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. In March 2014 the multinational corporation consisted of 338,875 employees worldwide and, as of February 2016, is the 13th-largest company in the world by revenue. Toyota was the largest automobile manufacturer in 2012 (by production) ahead of the Volkswagen Group and General Motors. In July of that year, the company reported the production of its 200-millionth vehicle. Toyota is the world’s first automobile manufacturer to produce more than 10 million vehicles per year. It did so in 2012 according to OICA, and in 2013 according to company data. As of July 2014, Toyota was the largest listed company in Japan by market capitalization (worth more than twice as much as #2-ranked SoftBank) and by revenue.

The company was founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in 1937 as a spinoff from his father’s company Toyota Industries to create automobiles. Three years earlier, in 1934, while still a department of Toyota Industries, it created its first product, the Type A engine, and, in 1936, its first passenger car, the Toyota AA. Toyota Motor Corporation produces vehicles under 5 brands, including the Toyota brand, Hino, Lexus, Ranz, and Scion. It also holds a 51.2% stake in Daihatsu, a 16.66% stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, a 5.9% stake in Isuzu, a 3.58% stake in the Yamaha Motor Company, and a 0.27% stake in Tesla, as well as joint-ventures with two in China (GAC Toyota and Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor), one in India (Toyota Kirloskar), one in the Czech Republic (TPCA), along with several “nonautomotive” companies. TMC is part of the Toyota Group, one of the largest conglomerates in the world.

Corporate governance

Principal headquarters building of Toyota

Toyota is headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi. The main headquarters of Toyota is located in a four-story building in Toyota. As of 2006 the head office has the “Toyopet” Toyota logo and the words “Toyota Motor”. The Toyota Technical Center, a 14-story building, and the Honsha plant, Toyota’s second plant engaging in mass production and formerly named the Koromo plant, are adjacent to one another in a location near the headquarters. Vinod Jacob from The Hindu described the main headquarters building as “modest”. In 2013 company head Akio Toyoda reported that it had difficulties retaining foreign employees at the headquarters due to the lack of amenities in the city.

Its Tokyo office is located in Bunkyo, Tokyo. Its Nagoya office is located in Nakamura-ku, Nagoya. In addition to manufacturing automobiles, Toyota provides financial services through its Toyota Financial Servicesdivision, and also builds robots.

Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota, at the annual results press conference, May 11, 2011

 Toyota’s global network: Red – Japan
Green – Official dealership(s) present.
Blue – Localized manufacturing plant(s)
Cyan – Regional headquarters (HQ)
Dark Blue – Regional headquarters (HQ) and localized manufacturing plants

 Typical breakdown of sales by region

President of Toyota Motor Company:

• Rizaburo Toyoda (1937–1941)
• Kiichiro Toyoda (1941–1950)
• Taizo Ishida (1950–1961)
• Fukio Nakagawa (1961–1967)
• Eiji Toyoda (1967–1981)

In 1981, Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to merge with its sales entity Toyota Motor Sales Co., Ltd. Since 1950, the two entities existed as separate companies due to a prerequisite for reconstruction in postwar Japan. Shoichiro Toyoda presided over Toyota Motor Sales in preparation for the consummation of the merger that occurred in 1982. Shoichiro then succeeded his uncle Eiji as the President of the combined organization that then became known as Toyota Motor Corporation.

President of Toyota Motor Corporation:

• Eiji Toyoda (1981)
• Shoichiro Toyoda (1982–1992)

CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

• Tatsuro Toyoda (1992–1995)
• Hiroshi Okuda (1995–1999)
• Fujio Cho (1999–2005)
• Katsuaki Watanabe (2005–2009)
• Akio Toyoda (2009–present)

Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation:

• Shoichiro Toyoda (1992–1999)
• Hiroshi Okuda (1999–2006)
• Fujio Cho (2006–2013)
• Takeshi Uchiyamada (2013–present)

On June 14, 2013, Toyota Motor Corp. announced the appointment of outside board members; the appointment was a first for the corporation and occurred following approval from general shareholders at a meeting on the same day. Additionally, Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada replaced Fujio Cho as chairman, as the latter became an honorary chairman, while Toyoda remains in the post of President.

Toyota is publicly traded on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo exchanges under company code TYO: 7203. In addition, Toyota is foreign-listed on the New York Stock Exchange under NYSE: TM and on the London Stock Exchange under LSE: TYT. Toyota has been publicly traded in Japan since 1949 and internationally since 1999.

As reported on its consolidated financial statements, Toyota has 540 consolidated subsidiaries and 226 affiliates.

• Toyota Motor North America (100% – 2004)
• Toyota Canada Inc. (51% – 2013)
• Toyota Tsusho – Trading company for the Toyota Group
• Daihatsu Motor Company (51.2% – March 31, 2006)
• Hino Motors (50.1% – 2001)
• Lexus 100% (1989)
• Scion 100% (2003)
• DENSO (24.74% – September 30, 2006)
• Toyota Industries (23.51% – March 31, 2006)
• Aisin Seiki Co. (23.0% – September 30, 2006)
• Fuji Heavy Industries (16.66% – June 28, 2008)
• Isuzu Motors (5.9% – November 10, 2006)
• PT Toyota Astra Motor (49% – 2003)
• Noble Automotive (23% – 2014)
• PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (95% – 2003)

Financial results

In 2011, the Toyota Group (including Daihatsu, Hino and Chinese joint ventures) fell to place three with 8,050,181 units produced globally. According to an unofficial count, based on unit production reported by major automakers, Toyota regained its top rank with 9,909,440 units produced globally in calendar year 2012. On May 8, 2013, Toyota announced plans to produce 10.1 million units in fiscal year 2013, which, if achieved, would make it the first auto manufacturer to cross the 10-million-unit threshold.

On May 8, 2009, Toyota reported a record annual net loss of US$4.2 billion, making it the latest automobile maker to be severely affected by the global financial crisis that started in 2007. Toyota’s financial unit had asked for an emergency loan from a state-backed lender on March 16, 2009, with reports putting the figure at more than A$3 billion. It said the international financial situation was squeezing its business, forcing it to ask for an emergency loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. This was the first time the state-backed bank has been asked to lend to a Japanese car manufacturer.

On May 8, 2013, Toyota Motor Corporation announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. Net revenues totaled ¥22.0 trillion (+18.7%). Operating income was ¥1.32 trillion (+371%), net income ¥962.1 billion (+239%).

History

Main article: History of Toyota

1930s

In 1924, Sakichi Toyoda invented the Toyoda Model G Automatic Loom. The principle of jidoka, which means the machine stops itself when a problem occurs, became later a part of the Toyota Production System. Looms were built on a small production line. In 1929, the patent for the automatic loom was sold to a British company, generating the starting capital for the automobile development.

Mass production of Toyoda automated loom, displayed at the Toyota Museum in Nagakute-cho, Aichi-gun, Aichi Pref. Japan

Toyota was started in 1933 as a division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works devoted to the production of automobiles under the direction of the founder’s son, Kiichiro Toyoda. Its first vehicles were the A1 passenger car and the G1 in 1935. The Toyota Motor Co. was established as an independent company in 1937. In 2008, Toyota’s sales surpassed General Motors, making Toyota number one in the world.

Toyoda Standard Sedan AA 1936

Vehicles were originally sold under the name “Toyoda” (トヨダ), from the family name of the company’s founder, Kiichirō Toyoda. In April 1936, Toyoda’s first passenger car, the Model AA, was completed. The sales price was 3,350 yen, 400 yen cheaper than Ford or GM cars.

House of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda, near Toyota City.

In September 1936, the company ran a public competition to design a new logo. Of 27,000 entries, the winning entry was the three Japanese katakana letters for “Toyoda” in a circle. But Risaburō Toyoda, who had married into the family and was not born with that name, preferred “Toyota” (トヨタ) because it took eight brush strokes (a lucky number) to write in Japanese, was visually simpler (leaving off the diacritic at the end), and with avoiceless consonant instead of a voiced one (voiced consonants are considered to have a “murky” or “muddy” sound compared to voiceless consonants, which are “clear”).Inside the house of Toyota founder Kiichiro Toyoda, near Toyota City

Since toyoda literally means “fertile rice paddies”, changing the name also prevented the company from being associated with old-fashioned farming. The newly formed word was trademarked and the company was registered in August 1937 as the Toyota Motor Company.First-generation Toyopet Crown Model RSD (1955/1 – 1958/10)Toyota at the Rally Dakar, 1992

1940s–1950s

From September 1947, Toyota’s small-sized vehicles were sold under the name “Toyopet” (トヨペット). The first vehicle sold under this name was the Toyopet SA, but it also included vehicles such as the Toyopet SB light truck, Toyopet Stout light truck, Toyopet Crown, Toyopet Master, and the Toyopet Corona. The word “Toyopet (Japanese article)” was a nickname given to the Toyota SA due to its small size, as the result of a naming contest the Toyota Company organized in 1947. However, when Toyota eventually entered the American market in 1957 with the Crown, the name was not well received due to connotations of toys and pets. The name was soon dropped for the American market, but continued in other markets until the mid-1960s.

1960s–1970s

By the early 1960s, the US had begun placing stiff import tariffs on certain vehicles. The so-called “chicken tax” of 1964 placed a 25% tax on imported light trucks. In response to the tariff, Toyota, Nissan Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. began building plants in the US by the early 1980s.

1980s

With over 40 million sold, the Corolla is one of the most popular and best selling cars in the world.

Toyota received its first Japanese Quality Control Award at the start of the 1980s and began participating in a wide variety of motorsports. Due to the 1973 oil crisis, consumers in the lucrative US market began turning to small cars with better fuel economy. American car manufacturers had considered small economy cars to be an entry-level product, and their small vehicles employed a low level of quality to keep the price low.

In 1982, the Toyota Motor Company and Toyota Motor Sales merged into one company, the Toyota Motor Corporation. Two years later, Toyota entered into a joint venture with General Motors called the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc, NUMMI, operating an automobile-manufacturing plant in Fremont, California. The factory was an old General Motors plant that had been closed for two years. Toyota then started to establish new brands at the end of the 1980s, with the launch of their luxury division Lexus in 1989.

1990s

In the 1990s, Toyota began to branch out from producing mostly compact cars by adding many larger and more luxurious vehicles to its lineup, including a full-sized pickup, the T100 (and later the Tundra); several lines of SUVs; a sport version of the Camry, known as the Camry Solara; and the Scion brand, a group of several affordable, yet sporty, automobiles targeted specifically to young adults. Toyota also began production of the world’s best-selling hybrid car, the Prius, in 1997.

With a major presence in Europe, due to the success of Toyota Team Europe, the corporation decided to set up Toyota Motor Europe Marketing and Engineering, TMME, to help market vehicles in the continent. Two years later, Toyota set up a base in the United Kingdom, TMUK, as the company’s cars had become very popular among British drivers. Bases in Indiana, Virginia, and Tianjin were also set up. In 1999, the company decided to list itself on the New York and London Stock Exchanges.

2000s

In 2001, Toyota’s Toyo Trust and Banking merged with two other banks to form UFJ Bank, which was accused of corruption by Japan’s government for making bad loans to alleged Yakuza crime syndicates with executives accused of blocking Financial Service Agency inspections. The UFJ was listed among Fortune Magazine’s largest money-losing corporations in the world, with Toyota’s chairman serving as a director. At the time, the UFJ was one of the largest shareholders of Toyota. As a result of Japan’s banking crisis, UFJ merged with the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi to become the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.

In 2002, Toyota managed to enter a Formula One works team and establish joint ventures with French motoring companies Citroën and Peugeot a year after Toyota started producing cars in France.

Toyota ranked eighth on Forbes 2000 list of the world’s leading companies for the year 2005 but slid to 55 for 2011. The company was number one in global automobile sales for the first quarter of 2008.

In 2007, Toyota released an update of its full-sized truck, the Tundra, produced in two American factories, one in Texas and one in Indiana. Motor Trend named the Tundra “Truck of the Year”, and the 2007 Toyota Camry“Car of the Year” for 2007. It also began the construction of two new factories, one to build the RAV4 in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and the other to build the Toyota Prius in Blue Springs, Mississippi, USA. This plant was originally intended to build the Toyota Highlander, but Toyota decided to use the plant in Princeton, Indiana, USA, instead. The company has also found recent success with its smaller models—the Corolla and Yaris—as gasoline prices have risen rapidly in the last few years.

2010s

In 2011, Toyota, along with large parts of the Japanese automotive industry, suffered from a series of natural disasters. The 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami led to a severe disruption of the supplier base and a drop in production and exports. Severe flooding during the 2011 monsoon season in Thailand affected Japanese automakers that had chosen Thailand as a production base. Toyota is estimated to have lost production of 150,000 units to the tsunami and production of 240,000 units to the floods.

The automaker narrowly topped global sales for the first half of 2014, selling 5.1 million vehicles in the six months ending June 30, 2014, an increase of 3.8% on the same period the previous year. Volkswagen AG, which recorded sales of 5.07 million vehicles, was close behind.

In August 2014, Toyota announced it would be cutting its spare-parts prices in China by up to 35%. The company admitted the move was in response to a probe foreshadowed earlier in the month by China’s National Development and Reform Commission of Toyota’s Lexus spare-parts policies, as part of an industry-wide investigation into what the Chinese regulator considers exorbitantly high prices being charged by automakers for spare parts and after-sales servicing.

In November 2015, the company announced that it would invest US$1 billion over the next 5 years into artificial intelligence and robotics research.

Recalls

2009

From November 2009 through 2010, Toyota recalled more than 9 million cars and trucks worldwide in several recall campaigns, and briefly halted production and sales. Toyota initiated the recalls, the first two with the assistance of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), after reports that several vehicles experienced unintended acceleration.

Main article: 2009–11 Toyota vehicle recalls

2012

In October 2012, Toyota announced a recall of 7.43 million vehicles worldwide to fix malfunctioning power window switches, the largest recall since that of Ford Motor Company in 1996. The move came after a series of recalls between 2009 and 2011 in which it pulled back around 10 million cars amidst claims of faulty mechanics. In March 2014, Toyota agreed to pay a fine of US$1.2 billion for concealing information and misleading the public about the safety issues behind the recalls on Toyota and Lexus vehicles affected by unintended acceleration.

2014

In early November 2014, Toyota USA enlisted a recall involving defective inflaters and propellant devices that may deploy improperly in the event of a crash, shooting metal fragments into vehicle occupants. More than 7 million vehicles are potentially affected in the United States. This recall only effects vehicles equipped with Takata airbags released after the year 2000 in North America. The airbags were manufactured by Takata automotive manufacturing. Toyota is offering a free repair to all affected vehicles worldwide.The fault in the Takata air bags also affected other North American automobile manufacturers.

Logo and branding

Employee at Toyota Museum explains development of Toyota name and brand

In 1936, Toyota entered the passenger car market with its Model AA and held a competition to establish a new logo emphasizing speed for its new product line. After receiving 27,000 entries, one was selected that additionally resulted in a change of its moniker to “Toyota” from the family name “Toyoda”. The new name was believed to sound better, and its eight-stroke count in the Japanese language was associated with wealth and good fortune. The original logo is no longer found on its vehicles, but remains the corporate emblem used in Japan.

Still, no guidelines existed for the use of the brand name, so “TOYOTA”, which was used throughout most of the world, led to inconsistencies in its worldwide marketing campaigns.

To remedy this, Toyota introduced a new worldwide logo in October 1989 to commemorate the 50th year of the company, and to differentiate it from the newly released luxury Lexus brand. The logo made its debut on the 1989 Toyota Celsior and quickly gained worldwide recognition. The three ovals in the new logo combine to form the letter “T”, which stands for Toyota. The overlapping of the two perpendicular ovals inside the larger oval represent the mutually beneficial relationship and trust between the customer and the company, while the larger oval surrounding both of these inner ovals represents the “global expansion of Toyota’s technology and unlimited potential for the future.”Hubcap of 1936 Toyota AA, with the old “Toyoda” name

The new logo started appearing on all printed material, advertisements, dealer signage, and the vehicles themselves in 1990.

In predominantly Chinese-speaking countries or regions using traditional Chinese characters, e.g. Hong Kong and Taiwan, Toyota is known as “豐田”. In Chinese-speaking countries using simplified Chinese characters (e.g. China), Toyota is known as “丰田” (pronounced as Fēngtián in Mandarin Chinese and Hɔng Tshan in Minnanese). These are the same characters as the founding family’s name “Toyoda” in Japanese.

Marketing

MEGAWEB, Toyota’s permanent exhibition showroom and museum in Odaiba, Tokyo

Toyopet Store, SaitamaToyota Netz Store, Tsurumi-ku, Osaka

Currently, the “Toyota Corolla Store” (トヨタカローラ店 Toyota Karōra-ten) was renamed from the “Toyota Publica Store” (トヨタパブリカ店 Toyota Paburika-ten), which was established to sell the Toyota Publica in 1961, then renamed to sell the Toyota Corolla in 1966.In Japan, Toyota currently maintains separate dealership sales channels. The first sales channel established in 1946 called “Toyota Store” (トヨタ店 Toyota Mise) sells large luxury sedans such as the Toyota Century, and the Toyota Crown. In 1955 the “Toyopet Store” (トヨペット店 Toyopetto-ten) arrived, originally established to sell the Toyota Corona and the Toyopet ToyoAce truck. (Toyota’s five channel dealerships in Japan chronology in Japanese.) Toyota also operated a commercial dealership called Toyota Diesel Shop (トヨタディーゼル店 Toyota Dīzeru-ten) from 1957 until 1988, that sold various commercial platform trucks, buses, and forklifts, such as the Toyota Dyna and the Toyota Coaster. Hino products were sold at specific Hino locations, and shared at Toyota Diesel Store locations after Toyota acquired the company in 1967. Starting in 1980, the Diesel Shop also sold the Starlet, Corolla, Corona, Vista and Crown installed with diesel engines. When the Toyota Diesel Store was disbanded, commercial products were divided between Toyota Store and Toyopet Store locations.

In 1980, the “Toyota Vista Store” replaced the “Toyota Auto Store” (トヨタオート店 Toyota Ōto-ten) sales network that sold the Corolla companion, called the Toyota Sprinter established in 1967. The “Vista” name was used on a new Camry-clone, called the Toyota Vista. The Toyota Vista network was replaced with two networks; “Toyota NETZ” (ネッツ店 Nettsu-ten) in August 1998, and Lexus in 2004. Some former Vista models were rebranded as Lexus (レクサス Rekusasu), such as the Altezza and the Aristo, while other products have been taken over by the “Toyota NETZ”, which was already selling the Toyota ist and the Toyota RAV4. “NETZ” is an acronym for “Network of Energetic Teams for Zenith”.

NETZ locations have been repositioned to resemble the North American Toyota network, called Scion, and sells the Toyota 86. Most models were exclusive to particular retail chains, while some models, like the Prius, are available at all sales channels.

Toyota Slogans

United States

• You asked for it, You got it! (1975-1979)
• Oh What a feeling! (1979-1985)
• Who could ask for anything more? (1985-1989)
• I love what you do for me (1989-1997)
• Everyday (1997-2001)
• Get The Feeling (2001-2004)
• Moving Forward (2004-2012)
• Let’s Go Places (2012-present)

Japan

• ファミリーカーのトヨタ (Roma-ji:Famirika no Toyota, English:Toyota Family Car, 1966-1969)
• 進歩のマーク (Roma-ji:Shinpo no Maku, English:Mark of Progress, 1967-1970)
• 愛される車をめざして (Roma-ji:Aisareru-sha no Mezashite, English:Toward the car be loved, 1971-1980)
• 安全はトヨタの願い (Roma-ji:Anzen wa Toyota no Negai, English:Safety Wish of Toyota, 1978-1982)
• 新技術-時代はTOYOTA (Roma-ji:Shingijutsu jidai wa TOYOTA, English:The New Era of Toyota Technology, 1982-1988)
• Fun To Drive (1984-1990)
• 新しいトヨタが走りはじめます。 (Roma-ji:Atarashi Toyota ga Hashiri Hajimemasu, English:The New Toyota Will Begin Running, 1989-1990)
• シートベルトを忘れずに (Roma-ji:Shītoberuto o wasurezu ni, English:Don’t Forget Your Seatbelt, 1989-1991)
• 人へ。社会へ。地球へ。 (Roma-ji:Hito e, Shakai e, Chikyuu e, English:For People, For Society, For The Earth, 1990-1999)
• BIG CHALLENGE (1993-1996)
  • Sedan Innovation (1993-1998)
• ACTION TOYOTA (1997-1998)
• クルマが未来になっていく。 (Roma-ji:Kuruma ga Mirai ni Natte iku, English:The car is Gradually Turned to The Future, 1998-1999)
• Drive Your Dreams. (2000-2011)
• FUN TO DRIVE, AGAIN. (2011-present)

Indonesia

• Choice Of Trust (1984-1989)
• Leads You Ahead (1989-2004)
• Moving Forward (2004-2015)
• Let’s Go Beyond (2015-present)

Malaysia

• Leads You Ahead (1989-2001)
• Passion (2001-2004)
• Get The Feeling (2001-2004)
• Moving Forward (2004-2015)
• Let’s Go Beyond (2015-present)

Singapore & the Philippines

• Leads You Ahead (1989-2001)
• Passion (2001-2004)
• Moving Forward (2004-2012, 2004-present in the Philippines)
• Always Better (2012-present)

Thailand

• Leads You Ahead (1989-2001)
• Passion (2001-2004)
• Moving Forward (2004-2012)
• Mobility Of Happiness (2012-present)

India

• Leads You Ahead (1997-2001)
• Passion (2001-2004)
• Moving Forward (2004-2012)
• Quality Revolution (2012-present)

Toyota Store

Vehicles sold at Toyota Store (nationally)

The following is a list of all past and present models and where they were available at retail channels nationally, as retail chains in Tokyo and Osaka are different.

Century, Crown Majesta, Crown, Master, SAI, Mirai, Prius, Aqua, Allion, Succeed, Blade, Corolla RunX, Porte, Estima, Isis, FJ Cruiser, Comfort, Land Cruiser, Hilux Surf, Land Cruiser Prado, Dyna, Stout, Coaster, QuickDelivery, 2000GT, Carina, Carina ED, Brevis,Gaia, Cavalier, Classic, MasterAce, Hilux, Mega Cruiser, Soarer, Origin, Caldina.

Vehicles sold at Toyopet Store (nationally)

Mark X, SAI, Mirai, Premio, Prius, Aqua, Belta, Mark X ZiO, Succeed, Ractis, Blade, Porte, Harrier, Vanguard, Rush, Alphard, Comfort, HiAce, ToyoAce, Pixis Space, Mark II-Mark II Qualis-Mark II Blit, Corona, Corona EXiV, Corona Coupe, Corsa, Opa, Avalon,Progrès, Cami, ist, Platz, Soarer, Hilux, Cynos, Regius, Celsior, Origin, Caldina, Ipsum.

Vehicles sold at Toyota Corolla Store (starting 1966), formerly Toyota Publica Store (nationally)

SAI, Camry, Prius, Aqua, Corolla Axio, GT-86, Belta, Probox, Corolla Rumion, Ractis, Passo, Sera, Vanguard, Estima, Noah, Sienta, TownAce, all Daihatsu products, Publica, Tercel, Windom, Scepter, Corolla Ceres, Origin, Nadia, WiLL, RAV4, Sports 800, Celica,Supra, Corolla Levin, Celica XX.

Vehicles sold at Netz Store (starting 1998), formerly Toyota Vista Store (starting 1980), formerly Toyota Auto Store (starting 1967) (nationally)

Vitz, SAI, Prius, Aqua, ist, Auris, bB, Avensis, Raum, Wish, Voxy, RAV4, Kluger, Vellfire, iQ, Allex, Fun Cargo, Altezza, Verossa, Curren, Aristo, MR-S, MR2, Starlet, Vista, Cresta, Sprinter, Voltz, Blizzard, Chaser, Sprinter Marino, Carib, Granvia, Sprinter Trueno,LiteAce, Ipsum, GT-86, WiLL (1999-2004).

Sports

Further information: Toyota Racing Development, Toyota in motorsports and Toyota Motorsport GmbH

Toyota sponsors several teams and has purchased naming rights for several venues, including:

• Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
• Toyota Center, Kennewick, Washington
• Toyota Field, San Antonio, Texas
• Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois
• Toyota Sports Center, El Segundo, California
• Toyota Stadium, Georgetown, Kentucky
• Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas

Company strategy

Main article: The Toyota Way

Toyota’s management philosophy has evolved from the company’s origins and has been reflected in the terms “Lean Manufacturing” and Just In Time Production, which it was instrumental in developing. Toyota’s managerial values and business methods are known collectively as the Toyota Way.

In April 2001, Toyota adopted the “Toyota Way 2001”, an expression of values and conduct guidelines that all Toyota employees should embrace. Under the two headings of Respect for People and Continuous Improvement, Toyota summarizes its values and conduct guidelines with these five principles:

• Challenge
• Kaizen (improvement)
• Genchi genbutsu (go and see)
• Respect
• Teamwork

According to external observers, the Toyota Way has four components:

1. Long-term thinking as a basis for management decisions
2. A process for problem-solving
3. Adding value to the organization by developing its people
4. Recognizing that continuously solving root problems drives organizational learning

The Toyota Way incorporates the Toyota Production System.

Operations

Main article: Toyota Production System

New Toyota factory in Ohira, near Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan: A month after this picture was taken, the region was devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The plant was only lightly damaged, but remained closed for more than a month, mainly due to lack of supplies and energy, in addition to a badly damaged Sendai port.

Toyota has long been recognized as an industry leader in manufacturing and production. Three stories of its origin have been found, one that they studied Piggly-Wiggly’sjust-in-time distribution system, one that they followed the writings of W. Edwards Deming, and one that they were given the principles from a WWII US government training program (Training Within Industry).

As described by external observers of Toyota, the principles of the Toyota Way are:

1. Base your management decisions on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term goals
2. Create continuous process flow to bring problems to the surface
3. Use “pull” systems to avoid overproduction
4. Level out the workload
5. Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time
6. Standardized tasks are the foundation for continuous improvement and employee empowerment
7. Use visual control so no problems are hidden
8. Use only reliable, thoroughly tested technology that serves your people and processes
9. Grow leaders who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others
10. Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your company’s philosophy
11. Respect your extended network of partners and suppliers by challenging them and helping them improve
12. Go and see for yourself to thoroughly understand the situation (genchi genbutsu)
13. Make decisions slowly by consensus, thoroughly considering all options; implement decisions rapidly
14. Become a learning organization through relentless reflection and continuous improvement (kaizen)

Toyota Pavilion at the Expo in Aichi

Toyota has grown from its origins in Japan during the 1930s to become a large multinational corporation. It displaced GM and became the world’s largest automobile maker for the year 2008. It held the title of the most profitable automobile maker (US$11 billion in 2006) along with increasing sales in, among other countries, the United States. The world headquarters of Toyota are located in its home country in Toyota City, Japan. Its subsidiary, Toyota Financial Services sells financing and participates in other lines of business. Toyota brands include Scion and Lexus and the corporation is part of the Toyota Group. Toyota also owns 51% of Daihatsu, and 16.7% of Fuji Heavy Industries, which manufactures Subaru vehicles. They also acquired 5.9% of Isuzu Motors Ltd. on November 7, 2006 and will be introducing Isuzu diesel technology into their products.

Toyota has introduced new technologies, including one of the first mass-produced hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles, of which it says it has sold 2 million globally as of 2010, Advanced Parking Guidance System (automatic parking), a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with buttons for power and economy shifting, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Toyota, and Toyota-produced Lexus and Scion automobiles, consistently rank near the top in certain quality and reliability surveys, primarily J.D. Power and Consumer Reports although they led in automobile recalls for the first time in 2009.

In 2005, Toyota, combined with its half-owned subsidiary Daihatsu Motor Company, produced 8.54 million vehicles, about 500,000 fewer than the number produced by GM that year. Toyota has a large market share in the United States, but a small market share in Europe. It also sells vehicles in Africa and is a market leader in Australia. Due to its Daihatsu subsidiary it has significant market shares in several fast-growing Southeast Asian countries.

According to the 2008 Fortune Global 500, Toyota is the fifth largest company in the world. Since the recession of 2001, it has gained market share in the United States. Toyota’s market share struggles in Europe where its Lexus brand has 0.3% market share, compared to nearly 2% market share as the US luxury segment leader.

In the first three months of 2007, Toyota together with its half-owned subsidiary Daihatsu reported number one sales of 2.348 million units. Toyota’s brand sales had risen 9.2% largely on demand for Corolla and Camry sedans. The difference in performance was largely attributed to surging demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. In November 2006, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas added a facility in San Antonio. Toyota has experienced quality problems and was reprimanded by the government in Japan for its recall practices. In 2007, Toyota maintained over 16% of the US market share and was listed second only to GM in terms of volume. Toyota Century Royal is the official state car of the Japanese imperial family, namely for the current Emperor of Japan.

Toyota was hit by the global financial crisis of 2008 as it was forced in December 2008 to forecast its first annual loss in 70 years. In January 2009, it announced the closure of all of its Japanese plants for 11 days to reduce output and stocks of unsold vehicles.

Akio Toyoda became the new president and CEO of the company on June 23, 2009, by replacing Katsuaki Watanabe, who became the new vice chairman by replacing Katsuhiro Nakagawa.

Worldwide presence

The Toyota Camry is assembled in several facilities around the world including Australia, China, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, India, Vietnam and the United States

Toyota has factories in most parts of the world, manufacturing or assembling vehicles for local markets in Japan, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Indonesia, Poland, South Africa, Turkey, Colombia, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Brazil, Portugal, and more recently, Argentina, Czech Republic, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, Egypt, China, Vietnam, Venezuela, the Philippines, and Russia.

Toyota’s net revenue by geographical regions for the year ended March 31, 2007:

Geographic region	Total sales ( Yen in millions)
Japan	8,152,884
North America	8,771,495
Europe	3,346,013
Asia	1,969,957
Others	1,707,742

In 2002, Toyota initiated the Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle project (IIMV) to optimize global manufacturing and supply systems for pickup trucks and multipurpose vehicles, and to satisfy market demand in more than 140 countries worldwide. IIMV called for diesel engines to be made in Thailand, gasoline engines in Indonesia, and manual transmissions in India and the Philippines, for supply to the countries charged with vehicle production. For vehicle assembly, Toyota would use plants in Thailand, Indonesia, Argentina, and South Africa. These four main IIMV production and export bases supply Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, Latin America, and the Middle East with three vehicles: The Toyota Hilux (Vigo), the Fortuner, and the Toyota Innova.

North America

Main article: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America

Toyota Motor North America headquarters is located in New York City, NY, and operates as a holding company in North America. Its manufacturing headquarters is located in Erlanger, Kentucky, and is known as Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America.

A Toyota dealership in Fremont, California

Toyota Canada Inc. has been in production in Canada since 1983 with an aluminium wheel plant in Delta, British Columbia, which currently employs a workforce of roughly 260. Its first vehicle assembly plant, in Cambridge, Ontario, since 1988, now produces Corolla compact cars, Matrix crossover vehicles, and Lexus RX 350 luxury SUVs, with a workforce of 4,300 workers. Its second assembly operation in Woodstock, Ontario, began manufacturing the RAV4 late in 2008. In 2006, Toyota’s subsidiary Hino Motors opened a heavy duty truck plant, also in Woodstock, employing 45 people and producing 2000 trucks annually.Toyota Technical Center, Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan

Toyota has a large presence in the United States with six major assembly plants in Huntsville, Alabama, Georgetown, Kentucky, Princeton, Indiana, San Antonio, Texas, Buffalo, West Virginia, and Blue Springs, Mississippi. Toyota had a joint-venture operation with General Motors at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. in Fremont, California, which began in 1984 and ended in 2009. It still has a joint venture with Subaru at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana, which started in 2006. In these assembly plants, the Camry and theTundra are manufactured, among others.

Toyota marketing, sales, and distribution in the US are conducted through a separate subsidiary, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. It has started producing larger trucks, such as the new Tundra, to go after the large truck market in the United States. Toyota is also pushing hybrid vehicles in the US such as the Prius, Camry Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid, and various Lexus products. Currently, Toyota has no plans to offer diesel motor options in its North American products, including the light-duty pickup trucks.

Australia

Main article: Toyota Australia

In 1963, Australia was one of the first countries to assemble Toyotas outside Japan. However, in February 2014, Toyota was the last of Australia’s major automakers to announce the end of production in Australia. The closure of Toyota’s Australian plant will be completed by 2017. Before Toyota, Ford and GM’s Holden had announced similar moves, all citing an unfavorable currency and attendant high manufacturing costs.

Product line

Electric technology

Toyota Prius, flagship of Toyota’s hybrid technology, and the best selling hybrid car in the world

Hybrid electric vehicles

Main articles: Hybrid Synergy Drive, Hybrid electric vehicle and Toyota Prius

Toyota is one of the largest companies to push hybrid electric vehicles in the market and the first to commercially mass-produce and sell such vehicles, with the introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997. The company eventually began providing this option on the main smaller cars such as Camry and later with the Lexus divisions, producing some hybrid luxury vehicles. It labeled such technology in Toyota cars as “Hybrid Synergy Drive” and in Lexus versions as “Lexus Hybrid Drive.”

As of July 2015, Toyota Motor Corporation sells 30 Toyota and Lexus hybrid models and one plug-in hybrid in over 90 countries and regions around the world, and the carmaker has plans to introduce other new hybrid models such as the Corolla Hybrid and Levin Hybrid (China only) and RAV4 Hybrid. The Prius liftback is the top selling hybrid gasoline-electric car in world, sales reached the 3 million unit milestone in June 2013, and cumulative sales since 1997 reached 3,527,100 units in July 2015. The Prius liftback ranks as the top selling hybrid car in the U.S. market, and passed the 1 million milestone in April 2011. Cumulative sales of the Prius in Japan reached the 1 million mark in August 2011. As of July 2015, sales of the Prius liftback in both Japan and the U.S. had exceeded the 1.5 million mark. Cumulative TMC hybrid sales since the Prius introduction in Europe in 2000 passed the 1 million unit milestone in November 2015,

The Toyota Prius c is the second spin-off of the Prius family, and the second most sold TMC hybrid after the Prius liftback.

Worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles produced by Toyota reached 1 million vehicles by May 31, 2007, and the 2 million mark was reached by August 2009, with hybrids sold in 50 countries. The 5 million hybrid sales milestone was reached in March 2013, During 2012, Toyota and Lexus hybrid models sold more than 1 million units a year for the first time, with 1.219 million units sold. During 2013, TMC sold 1.279 million units, and the 6 million sales milestone was achieved in December 2013, just nine months after its latest million unit milestone. The 7 million sales mark was reached in September 2014, again, selling one million hybrids in ninth months, and the 8 million sales milestone was achieved in July 2015, just 10 months after the previous million-unit milestone. Toyota estimates that up to 31 July 2015, its hybrids have saved about 5.8 billion gallons of gasoline (22 billion liters) compared to the amount used by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size, and have emitted approximately 58 million fewer tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions than would have been emitted by gasoline-powered vehicles of similar size and driving performance.

As of August 2015, besides the three generations of Prius liftback, Toyota’s hybrid lineup includes the Prius α/Prius v/Prius +, Aqua/Prius c, Camry Hybrid (1st and 2nd generation), Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Kluger Hybrid in Japan), Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Toyota Auris Hybrid, Toyota Yaris Hybrid (Europe only), and the following models sold only in Japan: Alphard Hybrid/Vellfire Hybrid, Estima Hybrid, Toyota Sai, Toyota Harrier, Toyota Crown Hybrid, Toyota Crown Mild Hybrid, Toyota Crown Majesta, Corolla Axio, Corolla Fielder, Toyota Voxy/Noah/Esquire and Toyota Sienta.

The Lexus RX 450h is the top selling hybrid of the Lexus brand.

Beginning in 2011, TMC introduced three new members to the Prius family, the Prius v (Prius α in Japan and Prius + in Europe), the Prius c (Toyota Aqua in Japan), and the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, released in 2012 in Japan, the U.S. and Europe. With a total of 247,230 vehicles sold during the first quarter of 2012, the Toyota Prius family became the third top selling nameplate in the world in terms of total global sales, after the Toyota Corolla (300,800 units) and the Ford Focus (277,000 units). Until September 2012, the Prius liftback was the top selling new car in Japan for 16 months in a row, until it was surpassed by the Toyota Aqua (Prius c) in October 2012. With 266,567 units sold in Japan in 2012, the Aqua is considered the most successful nameplate launch in the Japanese market in the last 20 years. The Prius c/Aqua model, with global sales of 1,081,332 units through July 2015, is TMC’s second best selling hybrid after the Prius liftback, followed the Prius α/v/+ with 582,379 units, and the two generations of the Camry Hybrid, with 528,217 units sold worldwide. For both Prius family variants Japan is the top selling market, while the U.S. is the top selling Camry market. Ranking next is the Auris with 240,218 units sold in Europe.

Lexus also has their own hybrid lineup, and as of August 2015, consist of the LS 600h/LS 600h L, GS 450h, RX 400h/RX 450h, Lexus HS 250h, Lexus CT 200h, Lexus ES 300h, Lexus IS 300h, Lexus NX 300h, and Lexus RC 300h. Global cumulative sales of Lexus brand hybrids reached the 500 thousand mark in November 2012. As of July 2015, a total of 895,330 Lexus hybrids have been sold worldwide, with the Lexus RX 400h/RX 450h ranking as the top selling Lexus hybrid with 317,560 units, followed by the Lexus CT 200h with 242,003 units.

Plug-in hybrids

Production version of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

Main article: Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Toyota’s plug-in hybrid electric vehicle project began in 2007, with road trials of the prototype vehicle in France and the UK in 2008. Toyota made 600 Prius plug-in demonstration vehicles for lease to fleet and government customers. 230 were delivered in Japan beginning in late December 2009, 125 models released in the U.S. by early 2010, and 200 units in 18 European countries in 2010. France, the UK and Germany had the largest fleets with 150 PHEVs. Canada, China, Australia, and New Zealand also participated in the global demonstration program.

The production version of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid was released in Japan in January 2012, followed by the United States in late February, and deliveries in Europe began in late June 2012. As of July 2015, about 73,600 Prius PHVs had been sold worldwide since 2012, with North America as the leading regional market with 42,000 units, followed by Japan with about 21,700 units, Europe with around 9,900 units, and only about 100 units in the rest of the world. The United States is the country market leader with 41,576 units delivered. The Netherlands is the leading European market with 4,073 units registered as of July 2015.

During its first year in the market, a total of 27,279 Prius PHVs were sold worldwide, allowing the plug-in version to rank as the second most sold plug-in electric car for 2012. As of May 2015, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid ranked as the world’s second top selling plug-in hybrid after the Volt/Ampera family. Accounting for cumulative sales since its inception, the Prius PHV was the world’s third best selling plug-in electric car by December 2014, but by May 2015 fell to fourth place after the Tesla Model S.

All-electric vehicles

First generation Toyota RAV4 EV

Toyota RAV4 EV Concept

See also: Toyota RAV4 EV and Toyota iQ EV

The first generation Toyota RAV4 EV was leased in the United States from 1997 to 2003, and at the lessees’ request, many units were sold after the vehicle was discontinued. A total of 1,484 were leased and/or sold in California to meet the state’s CARB mandate for zero-emissions vehicles. As of mid-2012, there were almost 500 units still in use.

In May 2010, Toyota launched a collaboration with Tesla Motors to create electric vehicles. Toyota agreed to purchase US$50 million of Tesla common stock subsequent to the closing of Tesla’s planned initial public offering. Toyota, with the assistance of Tesla, built 35 converted RAV4s (Phase Zero vehicles) for a demonstration and evaluation program that ran through 2011. The lithium metal-oxide battery and other power train components were supplied by Tesla Motors.

The Toyota RAV4 EV Concept was released in September 2012. The RAV4 EV is assembled at Toyota’s facility in Woodstock, Ontario along with the regular gasoline version. Tesla is building the electric powertrain at its plant at Tesla Factory in Fremont, California, and then ship them to Canada. The RAV4 EV is sold only in California, beginning with the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego. Production will be limited to 2,600 during the first three years. As of 31 March 2013, a total of 402 RAV4 EVs have been sold in the U.S.

A prototype of the Toyota iQ EV (Scion iQ EV in the US) was exhibited at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The Scion iQ EV is the successor to the FT-EV II as an electric vehicle based on the Toyota iQ chassis. Toyota produced three generations of FT-EV concept cars, and the iQ EV is a production version of those concepts, incorporating the technological and design strengths of all three models. The exterior of the production version is based on the FT-EV III concept shown at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.The Toyota iQ/Scion iQ EV is based on Toyota’s three generations of FT-EV concept. Shown the Toyota FT-EV IIIconcept car at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

The U.S. launch of the Scion iQ EV was announced for 2012, and according to Toyota, for the initial roll-out the iQ EV would not be available to individual consumers, instead the carmaker decided to focus on fleet customers and car sharing programs. The iQ EV was scheduled to be produced at Toyota’s Takaoka Plant in Toyota City beginning in August 2012 and the initial production was planned to be limited to 600 units, with 400 staying in Japan, 100 units destined to the U.S. and the other 100 for Europe. In September 2012 Toyota announced that due to customers’ concerns about range and charging time, the production of the Scion iQ (Toyota eQ in Japan) will be limited to about 100 units for special fleet use in Japan and the U.S. only. The iQ EV/eQ was scheduled to be released in both countries in December 2012.

Toyota I-Road in Grenoble

The first 30 iQ EVs were delivered in the U.S. to the University of California, Irvine in March 2013 for use in its Zero Emission Vehicle-Network Enabled Transport (ZEV-NET) carsharingfleet. Since 2002 the ZEV-NET program has been serving the transport needs of the Irvine community with all-electric vehicles for the critical last mile of commutes from the Irvine train station to the UC campus and local business offices.

In addition, Toyota announced that is backing away from fully electric vehicles. The company’s vice chairman, Takeshi Uchiyamada, said “The current capabilities of electric vehicles do not meet society’s needs, whether it may be the distance the cars can run, or the costs, or how it takes a long time to charge.” Toyota’s emphasis would be re-focused on the hybrid concept, and 21 new hybrid gas-electric models scheduled to be on the market by 2015.

Toyota’s project called Ha:mo (Harmonious Mobility Network), is using the Toyota i-Road, an all electric vehicle which combines the potential of both cars and motorbikes. The project is being run in Grenoble, France; Toyota City, Japan; and also Tokyo, Japan.

Hydrogen fuel-cell

In 2002 Toyota began a development and demonstration program to test the Toyota FCHV, a hybridhydrogenfuel cell vehicle based on the Toyota Highlander production SUV. Toyota also built a FCHV bus based on the Hino Blue Ribbon City low-floor bus.Toyota has built several prototypes/concepts of the FCHV since 1997, including the Toyota FCHV-1, FCHV-2, FCHV-3, FCHV-4, and Toyota FCHV-adv. The Toyota FCV-R fuel cell concept car was unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The FCV-R sedan seats four and has a fuel cell stack including a 70 MPa high-pressure hydrogen tank, which can deliver a range of 435 mi (700 km) under the Japanese JC08 test cycle. Toyota said the car was planned for launch in about 2015.

The Toyota Mirai fuel-cell vehicle

In August 2012 Toyota announced its plans to start retail sales of a hydrogen fuel-cell sedan in California in 2015. Toyota expects to become a leader in this technology. The prototype of its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle will be exhibited at the November 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, and in the United States at the January 2014 Consumer Electronics Show.

Toyota’s first hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to be sold commercially, the Toyota Mirai (Japanese for “future”), was unveiled at the November 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. In January 2015 it was announced that production of the Mirai fuel cell vehicle would increase from 700 units in 2015 to approximately 2,000 in 2016 and 3,000 in 2017. Sales in Japan began on 15 December 2014 at a price of ¥6.7 million (~US$57,400). The Japanese government plans to support the commercialization of fuel-cell vehicles with a subsidy of ¥2 million (~US$19,600). Retail sales in the U.S. began in August 2015 at a price of US$57,500 before any government incentives. Initially the Mirai will only be available in California. The market release in Europe is slated for September 2015, and initially will be available only in the UK, Germany and Denmark, followed by other countries in 2017. Pricing in Germany starts at €60,000 (~US$75,140) plus VAT (€78,540) .

Cars

Further information: List of Toyota vehicles

As of 2009, Toyota officially lists approximately 70 different models sold under its namesake brand, including sedans, coupes, vans, trucks, hybrids, and crossovers. Many of these models are produced as passenger sedans, which range from the subcompact Toyota Yaris, to compact Corolla, to mid-size Camry, and full-size Avalon. Vans include the Previa/Estima, Sienna, and others. Several small cars, such as the xB and tC, are sold under the Scion brand.

SUVs and crossovers

Toyota crossovers range from the compact Matrix and RAV4, to midsize Venza and Kluger/Highlander. Toyota SUVs range from the midsize 4Runner to full-size Land Cruiser. Other SUVs include the Prado, FJ Cruiser, Fortuner, and Sequoia.

Pickup trucks

2012 Tundra Double Cab

2015 Toyota Hilux SR5 4-door utility

Toyota first entered the pickup truck market in 1947 with the SB that was only sold in Japan and limited Asian markets. It was followed in 1954 by the RK (renamed in 1959 as the Stout) and in 1968 by the compact Hilux. With continued refinement, the Hilux (simply known as the Pickup in some markets) became famous for being extremely durable and reliable, and many of these trucks from as early as the late 1970s are still on the road today, some with over 300,000 miles. Extended- and crew-cab versions of these small haulers were eventually added, and Toyota continues to produce them today under various names depending on the market.

Riding on the success of the compact pickups in the US, Toyota decided to attempt to enter the traditionally domestic-dominated full-size pickup market, introducing the T100 for the 1993 US model year, with production ending in 1998. While having a bed at the traditional full-size length of 8 feet, the suspension and engine characteristics were still similar to that of a compact pickup. It proved to be as economical and reliable as any typical Toyota pickup, but sales never became what Toyota brass had hoped for. It was criticized as being too small to appeal to the traditional American full-size pickup buyer. Another popular full-size truck essential, a V8 engine, was never available. Additionally, the truck was at first only available as a regular cab, though Toyota addressed this shortcoming and added the Xtracab version in mid-1995.

In 1999 for the 2000 model year, Toyota replaced the T100 with the larger Tundra. The Tundra addressed criticisms that the T100 did not have the look and feel of a legitimate American-style full-size pickup. It also added the V8 engine that the T100 was criticized for not having. However, the Tundra still came up short in towing capacity as well as still feeling slightly carlike. These concerns were addressed with an even larger 2007 redesign. A stronger V6 and a second V8 engine among other things were added to the option list. As of early 2010, the Tundra has captured 16% of the full-size half-ton market in the US. The all-new Tundra was assembled in San Antonio, Texas, US. Toyota assembled around 150,000 Standard and Double Cabs, and only 70,000 Crew Max’s in 2007. The smaller Tacoma (which traces its roots back to the original Hilux) was also produced at the company’s San Antonio facility.

Outside the United States, Toyota produced the Hilux in Standard and Double Cab, gasoline and diesel engine, and 2WD and 4WD versions. The BBC’s Top Gear TV show featured two episodes of a Hilux that was deemed “virtually indestructible”.

Luxury-type vehicles

Further information: List of Lexus vehicles

As of 2009, the company sold nine luxury-branded models under its Lexus division, ranging from the LS sedan to RX crossover and LX SUV. Luxury-type sedans produced under the Toyota brand included the Century, Crown, and Crown Majesta. A limited-edition model produced for the Emperor of Japan was the Century Royal.

Motorsports

Main articles: Toyota in motorsports and Toyota Motorsport GmbH

Toyota has been involved in many global motorsports series. They also represent their Lexus brand in other sports car racing categories. Toyota also makes engines and other auto parts for other Japanese motorsports including formula Nippon, Super GT, formula 3 and formula Toyota series. Toyota also runs a driver development programme known as the Toyota Young Drivers Program, which they made for funding and educating future Japanese motorsports talent. Toyota Motorsport GmbH, with headquarters in Cologne, Germany, has been responsible for Toyota’s major motorsports development including Formula One, the World Rally Championship, the Le Mans Series, and most recently the FIA World Endurance Championship. Toyota enjoyed success in all these motorsports categories. In 2002, Toyota entered Formula One as a constructor and engine supplier; however, despite having experienced drivers and a larger budget than many other teams, they failed to match their success in other categories, with five second-place finishes as their best results. On November 4, 2009, Toyota announced they were pulling out of the sport due to the global economic situation.

Toyota’s nationwide driver hunt of drivers for Etios Motor Racing Series ended up with selection of 25 drivers, who will participate in the race in 2013.

TRD

Toyota Racing Development (TRD) was brought about to help develop true high-performance racing parts for many Toyota vehicles. TRD has often had much success with their aftermarket tuning parts, as well as designing technology for vehicles used in all forms of racing. TRD is also responsible for Toyota’s involvement in NASCAR motorsports. TRD also made Lexus’s performance division “F-Sport”.

Nonautomotive activities

Aerospace

Toyota is a minority shareholder in Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation, having invested US$67.2 million in the new venture which will produce the Mitsubishi Regional Jet, slated for first deliveries in 2017. Toyota has also studied participation in the general aviationmarket and contracted with Scaled Composites to produce a proof of concept aircraft, the TAA-1, in 2002.

Philanthropy

The Toyota Municipal Museum of Art in Aichi, sponsored by the manufacturer

Toyota supports a variety of philanthropic work in areas such as education, conservation, safety, and disaster relief.

Some of the organizations that Toyota has worked with in the US include the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club, Leaders in Environmental Action for the Future (LEAF), and the National Center for Family Literacy.

The Toyota USA Foundation exists to support education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In addition Toyota works with nonprofits to improve their processes and operations such as the Food Bank For New York City.

Toyota also supports a variety of work in Japan.

The Toyota Foundation takes a global perspective providing grants in the three areas of human and natural environments, social welfare, and education and culture.

Higher education

Toyota established the Toyota Technological Institute in 1981, as Sakichi Toyoda had planned to establish a university as soon as he and Toyota became successful. Toyota Technological Institute founded the Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago in 2003. Toyota is supporter of the Toyota Driving Expectations Program, Toyota Youth for Understanding Summer Exchange Scholarship Program, Toyota International Teacher Program, Toyota TAPESTRY, Toyota Community Scholars (scholarship for high school students), United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Internship Program, and Toyota Funded Scholarship. It has contributed to a number of local education and scholarship programs for the University of Kentucky, Indiana, and others.

Robotics

Main article: Toyota Partner Robot

Toyota trumpet-playing robot

In 2004, Toyota showcased its trumpet-playing robot. Toyota has been developing multitask robots destined for elderly care, manufacturing, and entertainment. A specific example of Toyota’s involvement in robotics for the elderly is the Brain Machine Interface. Designed for use with wheelchairs, it “allows a person to control an electric wheelchair accurately, almost in real-time”, with his or her mind. The thought controls allow the wheelchair to go left, right, and forward with a delay between thought and movement of just 125 milliseconds. Toyota also played a part in the development of Kirobo, the world’s first ‘robot astronaut’.

Agricultural biotechnology

Toyota invests in several small start-up businesses and partnerships in biotechnology, including:

• P.T. Toyota Bio Indonesia in Lampung, Indonesia
• Australian Afforestation Pty. Ltd. in Western Australia and Southern Australia
• Toyota Floritech Co., Ltd. in Rokkasho-Mura, Kamikita District, Aomori Prefecture
• Sichuan Toyota Nitan Development Co., Ltd. in Sichuan, China
• Toyota Roof Garden Corporation in Miyoshi-Cho, Aichi Prefecture

Sewing machine technology

Toyota developed an oekaki-style sewing machine called the Oekaki Renaissance, which, like others of its type, is designed to allow the user to be able to draw ideas directly onto fabric using the art of free-motion embroidery.

Environmental record

Toyota has been a leader in environmentally friendly vehicle technologies, most notably the RAV4 EV (produced from 1997 to 2003) and the Toyota Prius (1997 to present). Toyota is now working on their next generation Prius and second generation RAV4 EV both due out in 2012.

Toyota implemented its fifth Environmental Action Plan in 2005. The plan contains four major themes involving the environment and the corporation’s development, design, production, and sales. The five-year plan is directed at the, “arrival of a revitalized recycling and reduction based society.” Toyota had previously released its Eco-Vehicle Assessment System (Eco-VAS) which is a systematic life cycle assessment of the effect a vehicle will have on the environment including production, usage, and disposal. The assessment includes, “… fuel efficiency, emissions and noise during vehicle use, the disposal recovery rate, the reduction of substances of environmental concern, and CO2 emissions throughout the life cycle of the vehicle from production to disposal.” 2008 marks the ninth year for Toyota’s Environmental Activities Grant Program which has been implemented every year since 2001. Themes of the 2008 program consist of “Global Warming Countermeasures” and “Biodiversity Conservation.”

Since October 2006, Toyota’s new Japanese-market vehicle models with automatic transmissions are equipped with an Eco Drive Indicator. The system takes into consideration rate of acceleration, engine and transmission efficiency, and speed. When the vehicle is operated in a fuel-efficient manner, the Eco Drive Indicator on the instrument panel, lights up. Individual results vary depending on traffic issues, starting and stopping the vehicle, and total distance traveled, but the Eco Drive Indicator may improve fuel efficiency by as much as 4%. Along with Toyota’s eco-friendly objectives on production and use, the company plans to donate US$1 million and five vehicles to the Everglades National Park. The money will be used to fund environmental programs at the park. This donation is part of a program which provides US$5 million and 23 vehicles for five national parks and the National Parks Foundation. However new figures from the United States National Research Council show that the continuing hidden health costs of the auto industry to the US economy in 2005 amounted to US$56 million.

The United States EPA has awarded Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc (TEMA) with an ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

In 2007, Toyota’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) fleet average of 26.69 mpg_-US (8.81 L/100 km; 32.05 mpg_-imp) exceeded all other major manufacturers selling cars within the United States. Only Lotus Cars, which sold the Elise and Exige (powered by Toyota’s 2ZZ-GE engine), did better with an average of 30.2 mpg_-US (7.8 L/100 km; 36.3 mpg_-imp).

Current vehicles

Toyota 4Runner (1984–present, also sold as the Toyota Hilux Surf in Japan)Toyota 86 (2012–present, sold as the Scion FR-S in the United States, as the Toyota GT-86 in Europe and as the Subaru BRZ)Toyota Agya (2013-present, sold as the Daihatsu Ayla, in Philippines as the Toyota Wigo and in Malaysia as the Perodua Axia)Toyota Allion (2001–present)Toyota Alphard (2002–present)Toyota Aurion (2006–present, Australia)Toyota Auris (2007–present)Toyota Avalon (1995–present, previously sold in Japan as the Toyota Pronard)Toyota Avanza (2003–present, sold as the Daihatsu Xenia)Toyota Avensis (1998–present, shares chassis with the Scion tC)Toyota Aygo (2005–present, Europe only)Toyota bB (2000–present, sold as the Scion xB in the United States from 2003-2007)Toyota Belta (2006–present, also sold as the Toyota Yaris)Toyota Camry (1983–present)

Toyota Carri (1996-, Corolla variant for South Africa)

1st generation Toyota_Century Model VG201967 Toyota Century 2007 Toyota Premium Century at the 2007 Tokyo Motor ShowToyota Century (1967–present) 2011 Imperial Processional Car(Toyota Century Royal) Toyota C-HR (2017-present)Toyota Coaster (1969–present)Toyota Condor (South African built version of the Kijang)Toyota Comfort (1988–present, also known as the Toyota Crown Comfort)

Toyota Corolla/Sprinter (1966–present)Toyota Corolla Axio (2006–present)Toyota Corolla Fielder (2000–present)Toyota Corolla Rumion (2007–present, also sold as the Scion xB from 2007)1955 Toyota Crown1958 facelift Toyota crown1961 Toyopet Masterline two-door van ( RS26V )1967 Toyota Crown (MS45) sedan  1970 Toyota Crown 2300 Special 99-09-MDToyota Crown (1955–present)

Toyota Crown Majesta (1991–present)

Toyota Dyna (1959–present)Toyota Estima (1990–present, sold in some markets as the Toyota Previa)Toyota Etios (2010–present)2016 Toyota Etios Cross SideToyota FJ Cruiser (2006–present)Toyota Fortuner (2005–present)Toyota Heavy Duty Truck (FA and DA Series)Toyota Highlander (2001–present, also sold as the Toyota Kluger)

Toyota Hilux (1968–present, also sold as the Toyota Pickup)

Toyota Hilux Surf (1984–present, sold in the U.S. and other markets as the Toyota 4Runner)Toyota HiClass

Toyota Hiace (1967–present)Toyota Innova (2004–present, sold in Indonesia as the Kijang Innova)

Toyota iQ (2008–present)Toyota Isis (2004–present)Toyota ist (2002–present, also sold as the Scion xA in the United States and Toyota xA in the Middle East)Toyota Kijang (1977–present, known as Condor/Qualis/Revo/Stallion/Tamaraw/Unser/Zace outside Indonesia)Toyota KingdomToyota Kluger (2001–present, also sold as the Toyota Highlander)

Toyota Land Cruiser (1954–present, also sold as the Lexus LX)

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (1984–present, also sold as the Lexus GX)

Toyota LiteAce (1970–present)Toyota Mark X (2004–present, sold in China as the Toyota Reiz)Toyota Mirai (2015-present, based on FCV concept vehicle)                                 Toyota Nadia (1998-2003)Toyota NAV1 (2012-present, Variant of the Toyota Noah are sold in Indonesia)Toyota Noah (2001–present)Toyota Passo (2004–present, sold in some markets as the Daihatsu Sirion)

           Toyota Porte (2004–present)

Toyota Premio (2001–present) AllionToyota Prius (1997–present)Toyota Probox (2002–present)

Toyota Qualis (1977–present, Toyota Kijang sold in India)Toyota Ractis (2005–present)Toyota Raum (1997–present)

Toyota RAV4 (1994–present)

Toyota Reiz (2004–present, Toyota Mark X sold in China)Toyota Rush (2006–present, sold as the Daihatsu Terios)Toyota Sai (2009-present)

Toyota Sequoia (2000–present)Toyota Sienna (1998–present, North America)Toyota Sienta (2003–present)

Toyota Sofia (Japan only)

Toyota Spade (2012-present, Japan only)Toyota Sparky (Japan only, rebadged Daihatsu Hijet)

see earlier in this oversite.

Toyota Stallion (South African built version of the Kijang)Toyota Succeed (2002–present)

Toyota Tacoma (1995–present, North America)Toyota Tamaraw FX (1977–present, Philippines built version of the Toyota Kijang)

Toyota Tarago (1983–present, Australia, New Zealand, also called Model F/Space Cruiser/Van)

Past production vehicles

Toyota 1000 (1969–1981, also sold as the Publica in Japan)Toyota 2000GT (1967–1970)Toyota AA (1936–1943)Toyota AB (1936–1943)Toyota AC (1943–1947)Toyota AE (1941–1943)Toyota Allex (2001–2006)Toyota Altezza (1998–2005, also sold as the Lexus IS)

Toyota Aristo (1991–2005, also sold as the Lexus GS)1955, the Toyota 4-ton Model BA truck equipped with an improved B engine (85 hp) and the 4.5-ton Model FA truck equipped with an improved F engine (105 hp) Toyota BA (1940)Toyota Brevis (2001–2007)

Toyota Briska (1967–1968, pickup truck, continuation of Hino Briska, predecessor to Hilux)

Toyota BX (1951, truck)Toyota BJ (1951, Jeep, later called the Land Cruiser)

Toyota Caldina (1992–2007)Toyota Cami (1997-2005, more commonly sold as the Daihatsu Terios)Toyota Camry Solara (1999–2008)Toyota Carina (1970–2000)Toyota Carina II (1987–1992)Toyota Carina E (1992–1998)Toyota Carina ED (1985–1998)                                      Toyota Cavalier (1995–2000, rebadged Chevrolet Cavalier)Toyota Celica (1970–2006)

Toyota Celsior (1989–2005, also sold as the Lexus LS)Toyota Chaser (1977–2000)

Toyota Classic (1996)Toyota Corsa (1978–1999)Toyota Corolla Spacio (1997–2005) (1997–2009, sold as the Toyota Corolla Spacio in Japan)Toyota Corona (1957–2000)Toyota Corona EXiV (1989–1998)Toyota Corona Mark II (1968–2004, also known as the Mark II)Toyota Cressida (1973–1992)Toyota Cresta (1980–2001)Toyota Curren (1994–1998)

Toyota Cynos (1991–1999)PaseoToyota Duet (1997–2004, rebadged Daihatsu Storia)Toyota Echo (2000–2005)Toyota eCom (1998)Toyota Fun Cargo (2000–2004)Toyota G1 (1935–1936, truck)

Toyota GA (1936–1938, truck)

               Toyota GB (1938–1942, truck)Toyota Gaia (1998–2004)Toyota GT-One Road version (1998)

Toyota Grand Hiace (1999–2002)Toyota Granvia (1995–2002)

Toyota Harrier (1998–2005, also sold as the Lexus RX) + Harrier 2013 Toyota Ipsum (1995–2009, also sold as the Toyota Picnic from 2001, also sold as the Toyota Avensis Verso)

Toyota KB (1942–1944, truck)Toyota KC (1943, truck)Toyota KCY (1943–1944, amphibian truck)Toyota Lexcen (1989–1992, Australia, rebadged Holden Commodore)Toyota Mark II Blit (2002–2007)

Toyota Mark II (1968–2004, also known as the Corona Mark II)

Toyota Mark X ZiO (2007–2013)Toyota Massy Dyna (1969-1979, four-ton cab-over truck)

Toyota Master (1955–1956, also called the RR)

Toyota Masterline (1962–1967)Toyota Matrix (2002-2014)                                                Toyota Mega Cruiser (1996–2002)Toyota MiniAce (1967–1975)

Toyota Model F

Toyota MR2/MR-S (1984–2005)Toyota Opa (2000–2005)Toyota Origin (2000)     Toyota Patrol (1955, Police patrol car based on the Super, Master or Crown)

2015 Toyota HiLux (GUN136R) SR5 4-door pickup Toyota Pickup (Pre-Tacoma Years, 1968–1995)Toyota Picnic (1996–2009, also sold as Toyota Ipsum)

Toyota Platz (1999–2005, also sold as Toyota Echo)Toyota Previa (1991–1997, sold in some markets as the Toyota Estima)Toyota Progres (1998–2007)Toyota Pronard (2002–2004, also called the Toyota Avalon)Toyota Publica (1961–1978)Toyota RAV4 EV 2001Toyota Regius (1997–2002, same as Toyota Hiace)Toyota Revo (1998–2004)

Toyota RH (1953–1955, also called the Super)Toyota RK (1953, small truck)Toyota RR (1955–1956, also called the Master)

Toyota RS (1955–1962, also called the Crown)Toyota SA (1947–1952)

Toyota SB (1947–1952, small truck)

Toyota Scepter (1991–1996, North American Camry sold in Japan)Toyota SD (1949–1951)Toyota Sera (1990–1995)

Toyota SF (1951–1953)

Toyota SG (1952, small truck)Toyota SKB (1954, small truck, later called the Toyoace)Toyota Soarer (1981–2005, also sold as the Lexus SC)Toyota Soluna (variant of the Tercel made in Thailand and sold in Asia, 1996–2003)Toyota Space Cruiser (1984–1989, UK version of the Van/Tarago/Model F)

Toyota Sports 800 (1965–1969)Toyota Sprinter Trueno (1983–1987)Toyota Sprinter Marino (1991–1998)

Toyota Starlet (1973–1999)Toyota Stout (1962-198x)Toyota Super (1953–1955, also called the RH or RHD)Toyota Supra (1978–2002)Toyota T-18 (1979-1983, Australian version of the Corolla TE72 hatchback)Toyota T100 (1993–1998, North America)Toyota Tazz (1996–2006, Corolla variant for South Africa)Toyota Tercel  (1978–1999)

Toyota Tiara (1960-1964, name used for the Corona RT20 sold on the international market)

Toyota Trailer T10 (approx 1960, trailer used behind the Landcruiser)

Toyota Van (1984–1989, North America, also called the Model F/Space Cruiser/Tarago)Toyota Verossa (2001–2003)Toyota Vista (1982–2003)Toyota VM180 Zagato (2001, based on the MR-S)Toyota Voltz (2002–2004 in Japan, sold as the Pontiac Vibe 2002-2009 in the USA)Toyota WiLL (2001?-2005)

Toyota Windom (1989–2007, also sold as the Lexus ES)

Toyota Yaris Verso (2000–2004)

                                                  Nagoya Grampus, formerly the company’s football club and still sponsored by them

Toyota Verblitz, the company’s rugby team

                                                               Toyota War, a conflict between Libya and Chad which saw a heavy use of Toyota’s pickup trucks.Toyota i-Road, a new concept car shown at March’s 2013 Geneva Motor Show

MERCEDES BENZ + DAIMLER AG

Mercedes Benz 1926 – present, Stuttgart Germany, Benz & Cie. (1883-1926)
Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft(1890-1926) und DAIMLER AG

Automobiles, Trucks, Buses, Internal combustion engines, Luxury vehicles

Mercedes-Benz

Type	Division
Industry	Automotive industry
Predecessor	Benz & Cie. (1883-1926) Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft(1890-1926)
Founded	1926
Founder	Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler
Headquarters	Stuttgart, Germany
Number of locations	Jakarta Medan Kuala Lumpur Singapore Bandar Seri Begawan Shanghai Hong Kong Macau Taipei
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Dieter Zetsche, Chairman
Products	Automobiles Trucks Buses Internal combustion engines Luxury vehicles
Services	Financial services automobile repair
Owner	Daimler AG
Divisions	Mercedes-AMG Mercedes-MaybachMercedes-brabus
Slogan	The Best or Nothing
Website	www.mercedes-benz.com/en/

Mercedes-Benz (German pronunciation:[mɛɐ̯ˈtseːdəs ˈbɛnts]) is a German automobile manufacturer, a multinational division of the German manufacturer Daimler AG.

Daimler AG

This article is about the German automobile manufacturer. For the British automobile manufacturer, see Daimler Company.

Daimler AG

Daimler AG Headquarters
Type	Aktiengesellschaft
Traded as	FWB: DAI
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Daimler-Benz (1926-1998) DaimlerChrysler (1998-2007)
Founded	1998; 18 years ago (as DaimlerChrysler)
Headquarters	Stuttgart, Germany
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Dieter Zetsche(CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors) Manfred Bischoff (Chairman of the supervisory board)
Products	Automobiles, commercial vehicles
Revenue	€129.872 billion (2014)
Total equity	€44.584 billion (2014)
Owner	Institutional shareholders(74.8%) Private shareholders (15.3%) Kuwait Investment Authority(6.8%) Renault–Nissan Alliance(3.1%)
Number of employees	279,972 (2014)
Divisions	Mercedes-Benz Smart
Subsidiaries	List[show]
Website	www.daimler.com

 Daimler AG (help·info) (German pronunciation:[ˈdaɪmlɐ aːˈɡeː]) is a German multinational automotive corporation. Daimler AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. As of 2014, Daimler owns or has shares in a number of car, bus, truck and motorcycle brands including Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Smart Automobile, Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Setra, BharatBenz, Mitsubishi Fuso, MV Agusta as well as shares in Denza, KAMAZ, Beijing Automotive Group, and Renault-Nissan Alliance. The Maybach brand was closed at the end of 2012, but was revived in November 2014 as “Mercedes-Maybach”, an ultra luxury edition of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In 2014 Daimler sold 2.5 million vehicles. By unit sales, Daimler is the thirteenth-largest car manufacturer and second-largest truck manufacturer in the world. In addition to automobiles, Daimler manufactures buses and provides financial services through its Daimler Financial Services arm. The company is a component of the Euro Stoxx 50stock market index.

History

Daimler AG is a German manufacturer of automobiles, motor vehicles, and engines, which dates back more than a century.

An Agreement of Mutual Interest was signed on 1 May 1924 between Benz & Cie (founded 1883 by Karl Benz) and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (founded 1890 by Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach).

Both companies continued to manufacture their separate automobile and internal combustion engine brands until, on 28 June 1926, when Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft AG formally merged—becoming Daimler-BenzAG—and agreed that, thereafter, all of the factories would use the brand name of Mercedes-Benz on their automobiles.

In 1998, Daimler-Benz and Chrysler Corporation announced the world’s largest cross-border deal ever, valued at US$38billion, and the resulting change in company name to “DaimlerChrysler AG”.

In 2007, when the Chrysler group was sold off to Cerberus Capital Management (see below), the name of the parent company was changed to simply “Daimler AG”.

In November 2014, Daimler announced it would acquire 25 percent of Italian motorcycle producer MV Agusta for an undisclosed fee.

Timeline of Daimler AG

Benz & Company, 1883–1926
Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft AG, 1890–1926
Daimler-Benz AG, 1926–1998
DaimlerChrysler AG, 1998–2007
Daimler AG, 2007–present

Merger with Chrysler

The former logo of Daimler Chrysler AG.

In a so-called “Merger of Equals,” or “Marriage made in Heaven”, according to its then CEO and architect Jürgen E. Schrempp, Daimler-Benz AG and United States-based automobile manufacturer Chrysler Corporation, the smallest of the three American automakers, merged in 1998 in an exchange of shares as Daimler-Benz AG bought 92% of Chrysler, and 8% of Chrysler remained independent and formed DaimlerChrysler AG. The terms of the merger allowed Daimler-Benz‘s non-automotive businesses such as Daimler-Benz InterServices AG, “debis AG” for short, (created in 1989 to handle data processing, financial and insurance services, and real estate management for the Daimler group) to continue to pursue their respective strategies of expansion. debis AG reported revenues of $8.6 bn (DM 15.5 bn) in 1997.

The merger was contentious with investors launching lawsuits over whether the transaction was the ‘merger of equals’ that senior management claimed or actually amounted to a Daimler-Benz takeover of Chrysler. A class action investor lawsuit was settled in August 2003 for US$300 million while a suit by billionaire investor activist Kirk Kerkorian was dismissed on 7 April 2005. The transaction claimed the job of its architect, Chairman Jürgen E. Schrempp, who resigned at the end of 2005 in response to the fall of the company’s share price following the transaction. The merger was also the subject of a book Taken for a Ride: How Daimler-Benz Drove Off With Chrysler, (2000) by Bill Vlasic and Bradley A. Stertz.

Another issue of contention is whether the merger delivered promised synergies and successfully integrated the two businesses. Martin H. Wiggers‘ concept of a platform strategy like the VW Group, was implemented only for a few models, so the synergy effects in development and production were too low. As late as 2002, DaimlerChrysler appeared to run two independent product lines. Later that year, the company launched products that appeared to integrate elements from both sides of the company, including the

2006 Chrysler Crossfire (ZH MY05) coupe.jpg

Chrysler Crossfire, which was based on the Mercedes SLK platform and utilized Mercedes’s 3.2L V6, and the Dodge Sprinter/Freightliner Sprinter, a re-badged Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.

Sale of Chrysler

Daimler agreed to sell the Chrysler unit to Cerberus Capital Management in May 2007 for US$6 billion. Through most of its history, Chrysler has been the smallest of the “Big 3” U.S. automakers, but in January 2007, DaimlerChrysler, excluding its luxury Mercedes and Maybach lines, also outsold traditionally second place Ford, though behind General Motors and Toyota.

Chrysler reported losses of US$1.5 billion in 2006. It then announced plans to lay off 13,000 employees in mid-February 2007, close a major assembly plant and reduce production at other plants in order to restore profitability by 2008.

DaimlerChrysler had reportedly approached other carmakers and investment groups to sell Chrysler in early 2007. General Motors was reported to be a suitor, but on 3 August 2007, DaimlerChrysler completed the sale of Chrysler Group to Cerberus Capital Management. The original agreement stated that Cerberus would take an 80.1 percent stake in the new company, Chrysler Holding LLC. DaimlerChrysler changed its name to Daimler AG and retained the remaining 19.9% stake in the separated Chrysler.

The terms saw Daimler pay Cerberus US$650 million to take Chrysler and associated liabilities off its hands. Of the US$7.4 billion purchase price, Cerberus Capital Management will invest US$5 billion in Chrysler Holdings and US$1.05 billion in Chrysler’s financial unit. The de-merged Daimler AG received US$1.35 billion directly from Cerberus but directly invested US$2 billion in Chrysler itself.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo NHTSA 2

Since Chrysler’s 2009 bankruptcy filing in the United States, Chrysler has been controlled by Italian automaker Fiat and plans to integrate Chrysler’s products into the Fiat portfolio, such as Lancia and Chrysler’s namesake brand, and Fiat’s namesake brand with Dodge. Despite the fact it had been nearly seven years after the Daimler/Chrysler split, the fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee shares a platform with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. This also includes the Chrysler LX platform vehicles which initially used Mercedes-Benz components since its 2005 introduction.

Automated cars

On 3 August 2015, Nokia announced that it had reached a deal to sell its Here digital maps division to a consortium of three German automakers—BMW, Daimler AG, and Volkswagen Group, for €2.8 billion. This was seen as an indication that the automakers were interested in automated cars.

Corporate affairs

Management

Dieter Zetsche has been the Chairman of Daimler and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars since 1 January 2006 as well as member of the Board of Management since 1998. He was former President and CEO of the Chrysler, LLC (previously owned by Daimler AG), he may be best known in the United States as “Dr. Z” from a Chrysler advertising campaign called “Ask Dr. Z”.

Current (2015) members of the Board of Management of Daimler AG are:

• Dr. Dieter Zetsche: Chairman of the Board as well as Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
• Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard: Head of Daimler Trucks.
• Renata Jungo Brüngger: Integrity and Legal Affairs.
• Ola Källenius: Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales.
• Wilfried Porth: Head of Human Resources and Labor Relations.
• Hubertus Troska: Greater China.
• Bodo Uebber: Head of Finance and Controlling as well as Financial Services.
• Dr. Thomas Weber: Head of Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

The Board of Management total members of seven, after the unexpected resignation on 28 January 2014 of Andreas Renschler, former head of Manufacturing and Procurement Mercedes-Benz Cars & Mercedes-Benz Vans, has been brought back to eight after the nomination on 1 January 2015 of Swedish-born Ola Källenius to the Board of Management as Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales.

As of May 2015, the twenty members of Daimler AG’s Supervisory Board are: Manfred Bischoff (Chairman), Michael Brecht (Deputy Chairman), Paul Achleitner, Sari Baldauf, Michael Bettag, Bernd Bohr, Clemens Börsig, Jürgen Hambrecht, Petraea Heynike, Andrea Jung, Joe Kaeser, Ergun Lümali, Sabine Maaßen, Wolfgang Nieke, Bernd Pischetsrieder, Valter Sanches, Jörg Spies, Elke Tönjes-Werner, Frank Weber, Roman Zitzelsberger.

Shareholder Structure

by Ownership

• Institutional investors: 73.7%
• Private investors: 16.4
• Kuwait Investment Authority (Kuwait): 6.8%
• Renault (France): 1.54%
• Nissan (Japan): 1.54%

by Regio 29.7% Europe (excluding Germany), 32.1% German, 25.5% United States, 6.8% Kuwait, 5.4% Asia, 0.5% Others.

EADS shareholding

As of March 2010, Daimler owned a 22.5% share of EADS, of which the public sector held 40%.

In April 2013, Daimler sold its shares in EADS, and the same year, EADS restructured itself into a new aerospace company named Airbus, into which Daimler AG has no shareholding.

On the side of the public sector, the KfW banking group holds 13%, HGV Hamburger Gesellschaft fur Vermogens- und Beteiligungsverwaltung (State of Hamburg) holds 10%, Hannoversche Beteiligungsgesellschaft (State of Lower Saxony) holds 5%,Bayerische Landesbodenkreditanstalt, Anstalt der Bayerischen Landesbank holds 3.5%, LfA Forderbank Bayern holds 1.5%, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and Landeskreditbank Baden-Württemberg – Forderbank (L-Bank) each holds 2.5%, and Bremer Investitions-Gesellschaft (State of Bremen) holds 2%.

Leadership

Daimler-Benz AG (1926–1998)

• Wilhelm Kissel (1926–1942)
• Wilhelm Haspel (1942–1952)
• Heinrich C. Wagner (1952)
• Fritz Koenecke (1952–1960)
• Walter Hitzinger (1961–1966)
• Joachim Zahn (1966–1979)
• Gerhard Prinz (1980–1983)
• Werner Breitschwerdt (1983–1987)
• Edzard Reuter (1987–1995)
• Jürgen E. Schrempp (1995–1998)

DaimlerChrysler AG (1998–2007)

• Jürgen E. Schrempp (1998–2006)
  • Robert James Eaton (co-CEO, 1998–2000)
• Dieter Zetsche (2006–2007)

Daimler AG (2007–present)

• Dieter Zetsche (2007–present)
• Annette Winkler (2010–present) CEO, Smart Automobile

North Charleston Expansion

On 5 March 2015, Daimler AG announced a 1,200 jobs package to the North Charleston region for its van plant. This will allow the company to start manufacturing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans from scratch in a North Charleston plant to meet demand in North America. Currently, these vans are set up in Germany, then shipped to the United States partially disassembled for reassembly. This is all to avoid import tariffs, a practice that started in 2010. A Daimler official said that the Sprinter’s popularity in North America is making that process less efficient. The North Charleston plant had been employing only 100 workers. The Sprinter is available on the U.S. market as a panel van, crew bus and chassis in several variants with three lengths and roof heights, six-cylinder diesel or gasoline engines. The Sprinter has been assembled and sold in the United States since 2001.

Brands

The largest Daimler plant (producing Mercedes-Benz cars) in Sindelfingen, Germany.

Daimler sells automobiles under the following brands worldwide:

• Mercedes-Benz Cars
  • Maybach – production ended in 2012
  • Mercedes-Benz
  • Mercedes-AMG
  • Smart

  • Smart (automobile)

     

    small cars Clever Car

    Smart

    open your mind.
    Type	Division
    Industry	Automotive
    Founded	1994
    Headquarters	Böblingen, Germany
    Key people	Annette Winkler CEO, 2010–present
    Products	Microcars
    Owner	Daimler AG
    Website	www.smart.com

    Smart Fortwo

    Smart Fortwo cabriolet

    1993 eco-sprinter and eco-speedster concepts

    A Stack of Smart vehicles in Canberra

    Smart Crossblade

    A Smart Fortwo mhd cabrio (left) and a Smart Fortwo mhd coupe (right)                      2003 Smart V6 Biturbo

     

    Smart Automobile is a division of Daimler AG that manufactures and markets the Smart Fortwo and Smart Forfour. The official trademarked name is stylized as “smart“, with all lowercase letters. Headquartered in Böblingen, Germany, Smart has marketed a range of microcar and subcompact vehicles, with its primary assembly plants located in Hambach, France and Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Annette Winkler has served as Smart’s CEO since 2010.

    Marketed in 46 countries—in Asia, North and South America, Africa, Australia and Europe—production of the Fortwo had surpassed 1.7 million units by early 2015.

    

    The design concept for the company’s automobiles began at Mercedes in the early 1970s and in the late 1980s, associated with Swatch. After a brief period of backing by Volkswagen, the first model was launched by Daimler-Benz in October 1998. Several variants on the original design have been introduced, with the original two-seater called the Fortwo, now in its third generation and available as an electric version.

    The brand name Smart derives from its early cooperative studies with Swatch and Mercedes: Swatch Mercedes ART. In its corporate branding, the company uses a lowercase logotype (i.e., smart) and a logo incorporating the letter “c” for “compact” and an arrow for “forward thinking”.

    Origins

    In late 1982, SMH (makers of the Swatch brand of watches) CEO Nicolas Hayek began developing an idea for a new car using the same type of manufacturing strategies and personalization features used to popularize Swatch watches. He believed that the automotive industry had ignored a sector of potential customers who wanted a small and stylish city car. This idea soon became known as the “Swatchmobile”. Hayek’s private company Hayek Engineering AG began designing the new car for SMH, with seating for two and a hybrid drivetrain.

    While design of the car was proceeding, Hayek feared existing manufacturers would feel threatened by the Swatchmobile. Thus, rather than directly competing, he preferred to cooperate with another company in the automotive industry. This would also relieve SMH of the cost burden in setting up a distribution network. Hayek approached several automotive manufacturers and on July 3, 1991, he reached an agreement with Volkswagen to share development of the new project.

    By 1993, Ferdinand Piëch had become CEO of Volkswagen and he immediately sought to terminate the project with SMH. Volkswagen had already been working on their own “three-litre car”: a car which would consume three litres of fuel per 100 km of driving (the eventual Volkswagen Lupo 3L). Volkswagen’s own concept was believed to be a better business proposition, featuring four seats and more cargo room.

    Hayek had suspected that Piëch would seek to end the agreement with SMH upon his ascendancy to the CEO position; therefore, he discreetly began approaching other car companies with the Swatchmobile project. Rebuffed by BMW, Fiat, General Motors and Renault, he finally reached an informal agreement with Daimler-Benz AG, maker of Mercedes-Benz cars.

    A deal was announced on March 4, 1994, at a press conference at Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart that the companies would join forces in founding Micro Compact Car AG (MCC). 49% of the initial capital of 50 million Swiss francs were provided by SMH and the remaining 51% by Daimler-Benz. The company consisted of two subsidiaries: MCC GmbH based in Renningen (a suburb of Stuttgart) which would design the car, and the then-unnamed manufacturing plant. SMH Auto SA, owned by Hayek, would design a hybrid electric drive system for the car, while Hayek Engineering would audit the design and manufacturing.

    The press conference also featured the debut of two concept cars: the eco-sprinter and eco-speedster, styled by Mercedes-Benz’s design studio in California. The cars were similar to the eventual Smart City-Coupé. No mention was made of the fact that SMH had no input in the design of these concepts, and they were badged as Mercedes-Benzes.

    By the end of April 1994, MCC had set up a head office in Biel, Switzerland.

    Company history

    Three co-directors were immediately named to head the new company: designer and engineer Johann Tomforde and financial administrator Christoph Baubin from Daimler-Benz, and marketing manager Hans Jürg Schär, who spearheaded the original Swatch marketing campaigns in the mid-1980s. Tomforde had been working on the Mercedes City Car (coincidentally abbreviated MCC) project at Daimler-Benz since 1990, which produced theeco-sprinter and eco-speedster concepts as well as the Vision-A concept, which eventually became the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

    One of the first controversies at MCC was the name of the car itself. Nicolas Hayek insisted it retain Swatch in some way: “Swatchmobile”, or “Swatch Car”. Daimler-Benz refused, and pushed for a neutral name. The final selection was Smart, an acronym that had been previously used internally by MCC for Swatch Mercedes Art.

    By May 1994, the co-directors had identified 74 potential sites for the assembly plant. The final site was announced on December 20, 1994: Hambach, France. The purpose-built factory quickly gained the nickname “Smartville“.

    In 1995, Tomforde devised a modular system of assembly for the car, insisting suppliers design and assemble, and even install their own modules onto the final car, at the new plant using their own employees thus reducing the cost overhead for the parent companies and divesting MCC of the financial and legal liabilities for those parts. It also provided a fiscal framework whereby MCC could share the development costs with the suppliers, rather than having to fund the entire project themselves. MCC secured contracts with suppliers to design and supply almost all parts of the car: seats by Faurecia, interiors by VDO, chassis and door modules by Magna, door panels by Dynamit Nobel, and suspension by Krupp.

    Despite offloading a substantial amount of the development on the suppliers MCC required more capital. Recapitalization by Daimler-Benz increased their share of ownership in the company to 81% by 1996, leaving SMH with only the remaining 19%.

    The assembly plant opened on October 27, 1997, with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting by then-French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. Introduction of the new Smart city-Coupé was planned for March, 1998, however dynamic instability of the prototypes prompted Daimler-Benz to announce postponing the launch until October, 1998. Johann Tomforde was replaced as chief engineer by Gerhard Fritz. Fritz lowered the centre of gravity, widened the track, stiffened the suspension, changed the steering, and added ballast weight to the front of the car in order to increase its stability in emergency avoidance manoeuvres (notably the Swedish “moose test“).

    The car launched successfully in nine European countries in October 1998, but the final design did not fulfill Hayek’s expectations. Hayek pushed for a hybrid drivetrain but the final product used a relatively conventional gasoline engine. Shortly afterward Daimler-Benz bought out SMH’s remaining stake in the company. MCC was now a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz (which soon merged with Chrysler Corporation to become DaimlerChrysler). The office in Biel was shut down and operations were consolidated at the MCC GmbH design centre in Germany. On January 1, 1999, MCC GmbH changed its name to MCC Smart GmbH, and by 2000, it dropped the last vestiges of the association with SMH, becoming Smart GmbH.

    The model line was subsequently expanded to include the Roadster a rear-engine, rear-drive and four-door, four-seat supermini aptly named Forfour (the original City-Coupé was renamed Fortwo to fit the new naming scheme).

    The expansion did not increase profits at the company; Smart GmbH lost nearly 4 billion euros from 2003 to 2006. Plans were enacted to increase the company’s profitability and integrate its operations with Daimler (at the time DaimlerChrysler).

    In 2005, Daimler decided against purchasing a 50% share in the Dutch NedCar plant used to manufacture the ForFour, ending its production. A planned SUV called Formore was terminated as the assembly plant in Brazil was being fitted with machines, and production of the Roadster was discontinued. In 2006, after dwindling sales and heavy financial losses, Smart GmbH was liquidated and its operations were absorbed by DaimlerChrysler directly.

    Smart now operates under the Mercedes-Benz Cars division of Daimler AG, offering solely the Fortwo Coupe and Cabrio models.

    Models

    Apart from the original Smart Fortwo, a sporty Smart Roadster, a limited production of 2000 erstwhile concept Smart Crossblade and a supermini Smart Forfour were also offered. These have now been discontinued. There were also plans to introduce the French made cross-over based on the body of the ForFour and the AWD hardware of the Mercedes C-class with the name of Formore but industrialization of this was cancelled at the 11th hour (even as tooling was being installed in the assembly plant) due to unfavourable exchange rate swings and spending cutbacks driven by losses elsewhere within Smart.

    Production models

    1998–2000 Smart City-Coupé & City-Cabrio* (*from 2000)2002 Smart Crossblade2001-2007 Smart City-C0upé & City Cabrio ( renamed Fortwo in 2004)2001-2004 Smart K (Japan only)2003-2005 Smart Roadster2004-2006 +2014-present Smart Forfour2007-present Smart Fortwo2008–present (in limited trials) Smart Fortwo ED (formerly known as EV)

    Tridion 4 (2001)Concept and unproduced models

    

    

    2005 smart crosstown-hybrid

    • Forvision (2011)
    • Forstars (2012)
    • Formore (never shown)

    Electric versions

    Smart Electric Vehicle

    Two Smart Electric Vehicle cars deployed in the Car2Go carsharing program charging at the Herengracht in Amsterdam

    Main article: Smart electric drive

    An all-electric version of the Fortwo, the Smart Fortwo Electric Vehicle (previously known as Smart ED), began development in 2006. Field testing began in London with 100 units in 2007, and the second generation, with a total of 2,000 units produced, was introduced in 2009 and available in 18 markets around the world for leasing or through the Car2Go carsharing service in San Diego and Amsterdam. Production of the second-generation Smart Fortwo electric drive began in November 2009, in Hambach, France. The Smart EDs have a lithium-ion battery provided by Tesla Motors with capacity of 14 kilowatt-hours (50 MJ). The range of a fully charged battery is up to 135 kilometres (84 miles) under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency‘s official all-electric range is 63 miles (101 km) and rated the Smart ED with a combined fuel economy of 87 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (mpg-e) (2.7 L gasoline equivalent/100 km; 104 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent).

    The third-generation Smart electric drive is scheduled to be launched in the U.S. and Europe by the second quarter of 2013 and Daimler AG plans to mass-produce the electric car with availability in 30 markets worldwide. The third-generation Smart electric drive was unveiled at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Key differences with the second-generation model include a more powerful electric motor, which improves acceleration and top speed, a new lithium-ion battery pack that will allow to increase the range to 140 kilometres (87 mi), and an option for quick-charge will be available.

    Electric vehicle conversions

    Main article: Electric vehicle conversion

    Smart electric drive is a Smart Fortwo electric conversion. It has a 40 km range with AGM batteries (100 km with Li-ion batteries)

    Marketing

    Asia

    Japan

    First generation Smart models equipped with engine sizes smaller than 660 cubic centimetres (40 cu in) fit into the Kei car category of cars in Japan, and are eligible for a range of lower taxes. Recent models with a larger engine do not meet the Kei qualifications. Because of high taxation on older cars in Japan, many older used Smart cars are exported to other countries with right-hand drive, like Great Britain and South Africa. An official version of the Smart Fortwo called the ‘Smart K’ has been released to fit the Kei car category. English musician Steve Appleton is featured in a Smart TV commercial, running in Japan during 2010.

    China

    Smart was shown in April 2008, at the Beijing Auto Show. Smart Fortwo started the pre-sales in October 2008 and the Smart vending machine road show in 12 cities from October 2008 to February 2009.

    Hong Kong

    Smart is available in Hong Kong with authorized dealer, Zung Fu Motors.

    Indonesia

    Since 29 November 2010, the Smart fortwo has been available in Indonesia with PT. Mercedes-Benz Indonesia (MBI) as the authorized dealer. MBI originally offered three models: Pure Coupe, Passion Coupe, and Passion Cabriolet, for sale in Jakarta and Bali. Indonesia is also the first country in Southeast Asia to have the Smart Electric Drive, which has been lent to the Government of DKI Jakarta for a one-year period and can be extended for further indefinite period by a signed agreement between PT. Mercedes-Benz Indonesia, PT. Siemens Indonesia, and the Government of DKI Jakarta. The Smart ED will then serve as a pilot project to prove the effectivity of zero-emission car usage that can utilize alternative sources of energy.

    North America

    Canada

    The Smart Fortwo was introduced in Canada in late 2004 and was sold through Mercedes-Benz dealers. Demand was initially heavy with up to 6-month waiting lists in major urban areas in the spring of 2005. The vehicle was especially popular for commuters, small car enthusiasts, people needing light delivery and service vehicles. Demand relaxed slightly in the second year on the market. Sales rebounded with the second generation. Canadian Smart cdis cannot be registered in some states in the US.                        The Smart Fortwo USA

    10,239 Smart Fortwo cdis had been sold in Canada by the first month of 2008. Just before the Type 450 ended production (after which the production had equaled 770,256 cars) Mercedes-Benz Canada built up stock of cdis to tide dealers over until the successor model 451 arrived at the end of 2007.

    The Canadian version of the Type 450 Smart Fortwo cdi sold to 915 customers over three months in 2004, 4,080 were sold in 2005, and 3,023 in 2006. Virtually all the deliveries in 2004 and many of the deliveries in 2005 were to long-time Smart fans who had been waiting for their car for years, which largely accounts for the higher numbers. Through 2007, sales totaled about 2,200 units, with the last few cars being sold in the first month of 2008, when the new Type 451 was already on sale. The Smart’s strongest sales performance ever in Canada was in April 2007, when more than 500 units were sold. Sales are strongest (per capita) in Western Canada, with Vancouver Island and Vancouver being especially hot markets.

    The 2008-2011 (North America) Smart Fortwo Type 451 was totally redesigned, with a 70 HP naturally aspirated Mitsubishi-sourced gasoline engine of 999 cc for North America, up from the 799 cc cdi diesel, with the attendant loss of fuel economy. Smart decided not to import the cdi version of the 451, now with 55 DIN HP, although this decision has led to criticism that the new Smart does not get the fuel economy that many would expect from such a small car. The 799 cc, far more fuel efficient diesel is sold in Europe and some other markets.

    The BRABUS Tailor-Made program is not well advertised in Canada, but at least 16 Tailor-Made cars have been produced to Canadian specification. These vehicles are sent to the BRABUS factory in Bottrop, Germany, where the standard ex-works cars are stripped to the shell and repainted/retrimmed to suit individual customers’ tastes. The first four are the BRABUS Canada 1; three in bright red (including the tridion, two cabriolets and one coupé) and one in all white (a cabriolet). Aside from the special paint, all had every BRABUS part fitted to the body and interior, and the seats, door panels and dashboards were trimmed in black Nappa leather and Alcantara. Three of these cars are in British Columbia and #1-of-1, the Concept vehicle used at Canadian International Auto Shows (a red cabrio with silver alloys), is now in London, Ontario. The next BRABUS Tailor-Made Canadian car was a one-off all orange 451 made for a customer in Vancouver. The other ten were all ordered by Mercedes-Benz Canada as the special “edit10n” of the Canadian BRABUS 451 (with only 70 HP), painted in metallic dark grey with an orange Nappe leather interior. There is also at least one BoConcept 451 built to Canadian standards.

    In 2009, the Government of Canada acquired the European Smart mhd (micro hybrid drive) through partnership with Mercedes-Benz Canada. The project was administered by the ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles(eTV) program within Transport Canada. Goals were to identify the benefits of the start-stop system equipped on the vehicle and how to accelerate the penetration of this technology throughout Canada. See Smart mhd Test Results Report.

    United States

    Smart Fortwo (2nd generation)parked in downtown Washington, D.C.

     

    Before 2008, Smart cars were only available in the United States as “grey market” imports, such as ZAP. U.S. federal regulations allow certain grey market importing in large quantities provided the vehicles are modified and tested to conform to U.S. safety and emissions regulations. Smarts imported into the United States by “The Defiance Company LLC”, modified by G&K Automotive Conversion in Santa Ana, California, and distributed and sold by independent dealerships which were not affiliated with Mercedes. U.S. regulations did not permit the purchase and import of used Smart CDi vehicles from Canada, as the diesel powered Canadian Smarts did not meet American emissions regulations.

    In June 2006, DaimlerChrysler confirmed that Smart would be officially launched in the United States in the first quarter of 2008. The cars were offered through a dealership holding company Penske Automotive Group, which created a new U.S. dealership network for the brand under the name Smart USA. Initially, an updated gasoline powered Fortwo was offered, starting around US$12,000. The new model made its debut at European auto shows in November 2006.

    Hybrid Technologies plans to sell an electric version of the Smart Fortwo model in the U.S. starting at US$35,000. It is being called a hybrid car even though the vehicle is all-electric. The electric Smart will have a range of 120 to 150 miles (190–240 km), a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h), and charge in 5 to 6 hours using a standard 120 V AC outlet. An electric model is currently undergoing testing in the UK and will only be offered to commercial clients as a trial for the time being. The electric model is scheduled for a U.S. release for the 2012 model year with some test market cars surfacing in 4th quarter 2010.

    A Forbes article has been critical of the stated reasons that Daimler-Chrysler gave for introducing the car in the United States. The Smart fortwo may have claimed to be the most fuel-efficient fully gasoline-engined car for sale in the US, but it actually lags behind the 4-door Mitsubishi Mirage and 2-door Scion iQ (combined 40 mpg and 37 mpg, respectively). According to the EPA, the Smart’s fuel efficiency is lower than the fuel efficiency of some hybrids, including the Ford Fusion, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid, and the 2-seat Honda Insight, which achieve 41/36, 51/48, 40/43, and 40/43 respectively while the Smart achieves 33 city and 41 highway. The Smart Fortwo is the most efficient car at its pricepoint, since it costs about half as much as a hybrid in the US.

    Car2Go carsharing Smart fortwo (2nd generation) in downtown Washington, D.C.

    The Fortwo has received much attention in the U.S. In its April 2008 issue, Men’s Vogue raised the question, “in a nation where your supersized car is your castle, is the Smart too mini for a man?”.

    To obtain a Smart Fortwo originally required obtaining a “reservation” costing $99 through a dealer or over the internet. The waiting time in January 2009 was approximately 12 months; by July 2009, there was no wait to obtain a vehicle and dealers had them in stock for immediate delivery.

    On January 25, 2010, Smart USA began its first lease program in the US market for Smart fortwo models. The program was scheduled to last through February 28, 2010, but has been extended indefinitely despite lack of leasing sales.

    Penske Automotive Group announced plans February 14, 2011, to relinquish distribution of the Smart Fortwo under Smart USA, to Mercedes-Benz USA. In 2011, Smart USA offered four versions of their Fortwo model. These models include the following: cabriolet, the high-cost convertible version; passion, the mid-cost moonroof version; pure, the low-cost basic version; and electric drive, the electric version.

    On July 1, 2011, Mercedes-Benz USA took over the distribution, sales and marketing of the Smart brand from Penske Automotive Group. Smart is owned and produced by Mercedes’ parent, Daimler AG.

    As of 2015 all models are petrol or electric.

    Mexico

    The Smart Fortwo was introduced in 2003, and were sold in department stores Sanborns and Liverpool. Later Mercedes-Benz dealers started to offer the car. Currently Smart cars are still offered in the country, with only the Fortwo model available.Smart offers the hardtop and convertible models of the Fortwo coupé in Mexico.

    Smart Fortwo has fierce competition with the Hyundai Atos, Pontiac Matiz, and Chevrolet Chevy, which are compacts with low gas consumption at less than half the cost of a Smart but with more space for passengers.

    South America

    Argentina

    In Argentina, the Fortwo has been for sale since 2010 and models (Fortwo Cabrio and Fortwo Coupé) can be bought in dealerships located in the Puerto Madero neighborhood of Buenos Aires.

    Brazil

    In Brazil, the Fortwo has been for sale since 2009 and models (fortwo cabrio turbo, fortwo coupé turbo and fortwo coupé MHD) can be bought in some Smart and/or Mercedes-Benz dealerships in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre cities. The electric, brabus and forfour versions are not available for the Brazilian market.

    Oceania

    Australia

    Since 2003, Smart models have been for sale in Australia. All models that have been produced have been sold in Australia. The Smart Fortwo is currently sold through Mercedes-Benz Dealerships. Mercedes-Benz dealerships around Australia as of 2003 were only offering the Fortwo in the “Pulse” mid-range trim, thus the “Passion”, “Brabus Xclusive” and other trims are not available as yet, until further notice or changes.

    In March 2015 it was announced that the Smart brand would be withdrawn from Australia due to poor sales.

    Europe

    United Kingdom

    Launched in the United Kingdom in 2000, the current range features the Smart Fortwo convertible, and Smart Fortwo Coupé. Smart is available in the UK through Mercedes Benz retailers.

    The UK is host to a number of annual events, both official and unofficial, including the Smart Festival, held annually at Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, near historic Brooklands – the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit.

    Russia

    The Smart brand debuted in the Russian market in 2012 with the Fortwo model only.

    Safety

    Cutaway showing structure of the Smart Fortwo

     

    The Smart Fortwo uses a very small front crumple zone. The second generation Smart Fortwo has been awarded 4 out of 5 stars in the Euro NCAP Adult Occupant Protection and 2 out of 4 stars in the Pedestrian protection test, but was not tested for Child Occupant Protection as it has no rear seats. The original Smart was awarded 3 out of 5 stars for Adult Occupant Protection. In American tests using a five star rating, Smart cars received a four star safety rating for the driver from a front impact, and a five star safety rating for the driver for a side impact. It also received “Good” ratings for front and side crash protection in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. However, in an April 2009 40 mph frontal offset crash test between a Fortwo and a Mercedes C-Class, “the Smart went air-borne and turned around 450 degrees” causing “extensive intrusion into the space around the dummy from head to feet”. The IIHS rated the Smart Fortwo “Poor,” noting that “Multiple injuries, including to the head, would be likely for a real-world driver of a Smart in a similar collision.”

    The main structure of the car is a stiff structure, marketed as the Tridion Safety Cell, designed to activate the crumple zones of a colliding vehicle. This design creates a safety cell around the passengers, according to the manufacturer.

    Modification

    Smart models have been modified by Brabus of Germany, resulting in Brabus production models, including Smart BRABUS electric drive.

    Other companies modify the Smart Fortwo to use motorcycle engines, such as the Suzuki Hayabusa 1340 cc inline four-cylinder. These cars are known as Smartuki. The most powerful models can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in less than 3.5 seconds. The original car was fitted with a mildly tuned engine and ran 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds, 1/4 mile standing start in 12.4 seconds and a top speed of 132 mph (212 km/h). It is possible to push the GSXR engine further; nitrous oxide will add another 50 bhp (37 kW; 51 PS) – 80 bhp (60 kW; 81 PS) and there is a turbocharged option.

    

    Crosstown Hybrid (2005)2011 Smart forspeed concept Forspeed (2011)

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The brand is known for luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. The headquarters of Mercedes-Benz is in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

The name first appeared in 1926 under Daimler-Benz, but traces its origins to Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft‘s 1901 Mercedes and to Karl Benz‘s 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first gasoline powered automobile. Mercedes-Benz’s slogan is “The Best or Nothing”. Mercedes-Benz is one of the most recognized automotive brands worldwide.

History

Karl Benz. Benz made the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first automobile.

Gottlieb Daimler, Founder of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft.

Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz‘s creation of the first petrol-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, financed by Bertha Benz and patented in January 1886, and Gottlieb Daimler and engineer Wilhelm Maybach‘s conversion of a stagecoach by the addition of a petrol engine later that year. The Mercedes automobile was first marketed in 1901 by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. 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. Throughout the 1930s, Mercedes-Benz produced the 770 model, a car that was popular during Germany’s Nazi period.Adolf Hitler was known to have driven these cars during his time in power, with bulletproof windshields. Most of the surviving models have been sold at auctions to private buyers. One of them is currently on display at the War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. The pontiff’s Popemobile has often been sourced from Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz has introduced many technological and safety innovations that later became common in other vehicles.Mercedes-Benz is one of the best-known and established automotive brands in the world, and is also one of the world’s oldest automotive brand still in existence today in 2015, having produced the first petrol-powered car.

For information relating to the famous three-pointed star, see under the title Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft including the merger into Daimler-Benz.

Subsidiaries and alliances

As part of the Daimler AG company, the Mercedes-Benz Cars division includes Mercedes-Benz and Smart car production.

Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG became a majority owned division of Mercedes-Benz in 1999. The company was integrated into DaimlerChrysler in 1999, and became Mercedes-Benz AMG beginning on 1 January 1999.

McLaren Group

Motorsport

Mercedes-AMG was the official engine supplier for the second oldest and most successful F1 team by Grand Prix wins, McLaren Racing from 1995-2014. In 2013 it was announced that after the last year with Mercedes contract with McLaren, Mercedes would be dropped and be replaced by Honda, with whom McLaren had world championship wins in the past together.

Mercedes have since gone on to buy their own Formula 1 team, buying the former Honda Racing F1 team, Brawn GP, and turning it into Mercedes F1 in 2010. Despite a slow start, in 2012 the team began to show progress and rise to the front of the Grid with their first win coming from driver Nico Rosberg at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix, before showing further progress again in 2013, when the team signed Lewis Hamilton from McLaren to replace the retiring Michael Schumacher. Hamilton’s first win for the team came at the 2013 Hungarian Grand Prix.

In 2014 the team won the Formula One World Constructors Title, with Driver Lewis Hamilton going on to win the Drivers Title. In 2015 the team won their second successive World Constructors Title and drivers title with Lewis Hamilton once

Road car manufacturing

From 2003 to 2009, Mercedes were in a joint venture with McLaren Group to manufacture the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren. At this time, Mercedes owned 40% of McLaren Group. Due to Mercedes purchasing Brawn GP, a F1 team, Mercedes decided to sell their shares back to Ron Dennis, as McLaren would be their rival in the F1 championship.

Maybach

Daimler’s ultra-luxury brand Maybach was under Mercedes-Benz cars division until 2013, when the production stopped due to poor sales volumes. It now exists under the Mercedes-Maybach name, with the models being ultra-luxury versions of Mercedes cars, such as the 2016 Mercedes-Maybach S600.

Production

Factories

Beside its native Germany, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also manufactured or assembled in:

Sovereign state	Continent	Note
Algeria	Africa	Manufactures Busses and Trucks in cooperation with SNVI (Actros , Zetros, Unimog, and G-Class, Sprinter).
Argentina	South America	Manufactures buses, trucks and the Sprinter van. This is the first Mercedes-Benz factory outside of Germany. Built in 1951.
Austria	Europe	G-Class
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Europe
Brazil	South America	Manufactures trucks and buses. Established in 1956. The A-Class (W168) was produced from 1999 to 2005 and the C-Class was produced until 2010 as well.
Canada	North America
Colombia	South America	Assembly of buses, Established in Soacha 2012 and Funza 2015
China	Asia
Egypt	Africa	Via Egyptian German Automotive Company E-Class, C-Class and GLK
Finland	Europe	New A-series (W176) is manufactured in Uusikaupunki since late 2013, being the first M-B passenger car ever built in that country
Hungary	Europe
Jordan	Asia	Buses company factory, Elba House, Amman.
India	Asia	Bangalore (R&D). Pune (Passenger cars).Chennai (Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.) – Trucks & Engine Manufacturing unit.
Indonesia	Asia /Australia
Iran	Asia	Not since 2010
Malaysia	Asia	Assembly of C, E and S class vehicles by DRB-HICOM.
Mexico	North America	Mercedes-Benz Mexico fully manufactures some Mercedes and Daimler vehicles completely from locally built parts (C-Class, E-Class, M-Class, International trucks, Axor, Atego, and Mercedes Buses), manufactures other models in complete knock down kits (CL-Class, CLK-Class, SL-Class, SLK-Class) and manufactures a select number of models in semi knockdown kits which use both imported components and locally sourced Mexican components (S-Class, CLS-Class, R-Class, GL-Class, Sprinter).
Nigeria	Africa	Assembly of buses, trucks, utility motors and the Sprinter van
Philippines	Asia
Russia	Eurasia	Joint venture Mercedes-Benz Car Trucks Vostok in Naberezhnye Chelny (jointly Kamaz). Available in trucks Actros, Axor, multi-purpose auto four wheel drive medium trucks Unimog. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Classic is also produced in Russia.
Serbia	Europe	FAP produces Mercedes-Benz trucks under license.
Spain	Europe	Factory at Vitoria-Gasteiz Mercedes-Benz Vito, Viano and V-Class have been built there.
South Africa	Africa
South Korea	Asia	Mercedes-Benz Musso and MB100 models manufactured by SsangYong Motor Company.
Thailand	Asia	Assembly of C, E and S class vehicles by the Thonburi Group
Turkey	Eurasia	Mercedes-Benz Türk A.Ş.
United Kingdom	Europe	The SLR sports car was built at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. Brackley, Northamptonshire, is home to the Mercedes Grand Prix factory, and Brixworth, Northamptonshire is the location of Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines
United States	North America	The Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Sport Utility and the full-sized GL-Class Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle are all built at the Mercedes-Benz U.S. International production facility near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Trucks (6,000 per year in the early eighties) were once assembled in Hampton, VA.
Vietnam	Asia	Assembly of E-Class, C-Class, S-Class, GLK-Class and Sprinter. Established in 1995.

Quality rankings

Since its inception, Mercedes-Benz had maintained a reputation for its quality and durability. Objective measures looking at passenger vehicles, such as J. D. Power surveys, demonstrated a downturn in reputation in these criteria 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. 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 and earning several awards for its models. For 2008, Mercedes-Benz’s initial quality rating improved by yet another mark, to fourth place. On top of this accolade, it also received the Platinum Plant Quality Award for its Mercedes’ Sindelfingen, Germany assembly plant. J. D. Power’s 2011 US Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability Studies both ranked Mercedes-Benz vehicles above average in build quality and reliability. In the 2011 UK J. D. Power Survey, Mercedes cars were rated above average. A 2014 iSeeCars.com study for Reuters found Mercedes to have the lowest vehicle recall rate.

Models

See also: List of Mercedes-Benz vehicles

List of Mercedes-Benz vehicles

 GLA 200 in DüsseldorfMercedes-Benz Vito van, 2014-presentMercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (built from 2003 to 2010)Mercedes-Benz SSK, a roadster built from 1928 to 1932

The following is a List of Mercedes-Benz vehicles indexed by year of introduction.Mercedes Benz L 319 (produced 1955-1967)Mercedes Benz Auwärter 815D Vario minibus1999 Mercedes Benz CLK-GTR race car (foreground)

In 1926 Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. merged forming Daimler-Benz and selling the Mercedes-Benz line of vehicles. Mercedes was a brand of DMG started in 1901. It has produced vehicles into the 21st century

Daimler and Benz vehicles

Before 1926, Mercedes-Benz was two separate companies that were competitors. One originated from Karl Benz, who invented the car, and Maybach and Daimler, who started Daimler which produced the Mercedes brand. Somehow the companies survived two world wars and various economic depressions to become one of the major suppliers of automobiles and trucks in the 21st century in Germany and in many parts of the World. The company has also supplied engines to many different products

Maybach left the company in 1907 to start his own company which was eventually bought by Mercedes-Benz in 1960.

Benz

History Benz

Benz & Company Rheinische Gasmotoren-Fabrik (aka Benz & Cie), founded 1883

Benz Patent-Motorwagen 1886-1893 (~25 produced)Benz Velo 1894Benz Viktoria 1894-1900 By 1895 1,132 vehicles produced1902 benz parsifal 12 14 hp big1902 Benz Parsifal 22 hp         1902-1903 – Benz Parsifal1903 Benz Parsifal 60 horsepower racing car1903 Benz Parsifal Phaeton Benz Parsifil 1902-1908  1907 24/40 hp Benz landauletBlitzen Benz 19091910 Benz Prinz Heinrich car Benz 1910 ‘Prinz Heinrich’1914 Benz 10-30 PS with Torpedo style bodywork Benz 10/30 PS 1912, 1921-1927 (also Daimler-Benz model after 1926)Benz 10/30(35) hp 1921

DMG (includes Mercedes)

Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft poster for a Mercedes Double Phaeton (1908)

Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, founded in 1890 by Daimler and Maybach

Inventions of people Daimler and Maybach preceding DMG:

Daimler Motorized Carriage 1882Daimler Reitwagen 1885

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  Daimler Motor Car 18861889 Daimler Stahlradwagen – 1,5 PS, 18 km/h – Mercedes-Benz-Museum, Stuttgart, Bad Cannstatt Daimler Stahlradwagen 1889

  30 Daimler vehicles produced by 1895                                                                               Daimler belt-drive 1895-1899                                                                                            Daimler Phoenix 1897-1902 4 hp and 6 hpMercedes 35 hp 1901

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  Mercedes Simplex 1902

  1910-24 Mercedes Knight 10-30 hp – 25-65 hp   1913 Daimler ambulance Type UK with 10-30 hp Knight engine 1913-15 Mercedes Knight-2565-PS1920-21 Daimler ambulance Type UK with 16-45 hp Knight engine   1921 Mercedes Knight 16-40 hp, 16-45 hp, 16-50 hp Mercedes Knight (1910-1924)GP Mercedes 1908Mercedes Grand Prix Racing Car 19141921-24 Mercedes-Benz 15-70-100 PS Typ 400 Mercedes 15/70/100 PS, 1921-1924 (became Mercedes-Benz Typ 400 with merger)Mercedes 24/100/140 PS, 1924 – 1929 (became Mercedes-Benz Typ 630 with the merger)                                                                                                                                                  See also the related businesses:                                                                                                   Austro-Daimler

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  • • USA Daimler and Steinway’s Daimler Motor Co.
    • Daimler Company (Daimler Motor Company (1896))

Mercedes-Benz cars (1926-present)

In 1926 Daimler-Benz was formed from the merger of DMG and Benz

1926-1930

1927 Mercedes-Benz 400 K Tourer Sinsheim, a Daimler-Benz product1927 Mercedes Benz 630K Mercedes-Benz 630 K (1926 – 1929)1926 Mercedes Benz 24-100-140 PS Roadster (This was the Mercedes 24/100/140 PS of DMG) Mercedes-Benz Model K

1927 mercedes benz S type 6cyl 6,78lt 180hp S-series, from 1927 with supercharged 6-cylinder engines1927 Mercedes-Benz S-Type 26/180 Sportwagen S (Sport)1927 26-170-225 hp Mercedes-Benz SS racing and touring sports car. SS (Super Sport)1928-32 Mercedes-Benz SSK model series W 06 II, SSK (Super Sport Kurz) 1927 Mercedes Benz SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht) SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht)

• K (Kurz-short) 2532
• Supercharged Mercedes Benz’s 1920’s + 1930’s
• S 1927
• SSK 1928
• SS 1928
• 10/50 hp “Stuttgart” 1929

Mercedes-Benz Three Wheeler1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo

1930s

Mercedes-Benz 260D in museum in StuttgartMercedes Benz 130 W23 (1935)1931 Mercedes Benz Mannheim 370 S Sport-Cabriolet Mercedes Benz Mannheim 350/370 (W10) 1929-19341936 Mercedes Benz 170 W28 H 170 Saloon 1931-1932130H W23 1934

                 1933-34 Mercedes Benz 150 Sport Saloon (W30) 150H 1934-61938 Mercedes Benz W31 typ G4 W31 1934-1939 (6 wheels)Mercedes Benz 170V M135 1697cc 1935-1953

• 770 (Grosser) 1930-1943 in two series:

  

  Die Eröffnung der grossen Automobilausstellung in den Ausstellungshallen am Kaiserdamm in Berlin! Der Tauerste Luxuswagen Deutschland, ein Mecedes-Limousine, welche 46.000,– Mark kostet.

  1930-1938 Mercedes Benz 770 (W07) on display at the 1931 Berlin Motor ShowMercedes-Benz W07-W150 or 770 Pullman-Limousine W150 1938-19431934-36 Mercedes 500K (type W29) Cabriolet is a grand touring car1939 Mercedes Benz 540K-Autobahnkurier 540K 1936-19431938 Mercedes benz 260D 1936-19401937 Mercedes-Benz 320 (W 142) Saloon was a modern luxury-class touring car.1937 Mercedes Benz W 125 Donington W125 19371939 Mercedes Benz 230 Limousine 230 1938Mercedes Benz W154, W163 1938, 1939Mercedes-Benz W136 (170 V)

  1935–1942 75,006 units         1947–1955 83,190 unitsMercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen – 1938

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  1939 Mercedes-Benz T80

Production disrupted from WWII from 1939-1945, and restarted by late 1940s

1940s

Mercedes-Benz W136 1947–1955Mercedes Benz 170S (W191) 1949-1955

1950s

Mercedes-Benz 180b, 442,963 built 1953–1962Mercedes-Benz 190D, with post-1960 update

4 Cylinder

Mercedes-Benz W136 1947–1955Mercedes Benz 170S (W191) 1949-1955Mercedes Benz 120 180/180D (W120) 190/190D (W121) 1953-1962Mercedes Benz 190SL (W121) 1955-1963

6 Cylinder

1960 Mercedes Benz 300SL Roadster (W198 II)Mercedes Benz 220 (W187) 1951-1955Mercedes Benz 219 (W219) 1956-19591958 Mercedes Benz 220a/220S (W180) 1954-1959Mercedes Benz Limousine 300/300S (W186 W189 W188) 1951-1962Mercedes Benz W196 (W196) GP 1954Mercedes Benz 300SLR (W196S) 1955Mercedes Benz 300SL (W198) 1954-1963 in two series:

• Gullwing Coupe 1954-1957
• Roadster 1958-1963

1960s

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL1965 Mercedes Benz 190c  Sedan 1962-1965

1966 Mercedes Benz 230 W 110 in Egypte 230 1965-1966

Mercedes Benz 200 W 110 kombi 1966-1968Mercedes Benz 200D 1966-1967Mercedes-Benz W111/220SE 1960-1966Mercedes Benz 250S, 250SE 300SE 280S 280SE 280SEL(W108/W109) 1965-1972Mercedes Benz 230 1968-1972Mercedes Benz 250 Saloon 1968-1972Mercedes Benz 600 (W100) 1963-1981Mercedes Benz 230SL 250SL 280SL (W113) “Pagoda” 1963-1971

1970s

Pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz W115 220Mercedes Benz 280 (W114) 1972-19761975 Mercedes Benz 280C (W114) 1973-1976Mercedes Benz 300D (W114) 1975-1976Mercedes Benz V123 Limo (Euro-spec) W123 1976-1985Mercedes Benz G 350 BlueTEC (W463) G-Class 1979-present1978 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE (W116) S-Class W116 1972-19791957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster (W198) SL-Class 1957-1971 Mercedes-Benz W113 W113 1963-19711987 Mercedes Benz 560 SL roadster (Australia) R107 1972-1989

1980s

The 1980s marked a period of increasing demand in America, personified by thousands of Grey-market imported cars, such as this Mercedes-Benz 500 SE shown hereMercedes Benz 560SECMercedes Benz 190E W201 190 1982-19931977 Mercedes Benz 300D W123 300D 1977-1985Mercedes Benz 300CD Turbodiesel coupe (US-version) 300CD 1978-1985Mercedes Benz 300SD 1981-19851987-92 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL (W126) sedan 300SEL 1987-19911987 Mercedes Benz 300SDL 300SDL 1986-1987Mercedes Benz 300TD 1978-19851990 Mercedes Benz 350SDL 1990-1991

                          1985 Mercedes Benz 500SE 1984-19911985 Mercedes Benz 500SEC 1984-1991   1992 Mercedes Benz 500SEL 1984-19911986 Mercedes Benz 560SEL 1986-1991Mercedes Benz 560SEC 1986-1991Mercedes Benz 300E 1986-1993Mercedes Benz 300CE 300CE 1986 – 1993Mercedes-Benz 200E 1980-1985

1990s

2013 Mercedes Benz A 200 Sport AMG Line (W176).jpg A-Class 1997-1997-00 Mercedes Benz C 200 (W202) Classic sedan  C-Class 1993-2000 Mercedes Benz CLK 320 (C208) Elegance coupe CLK-Class 1998-2013 Mercedes Benz E 220 CDI Avantgarde (W 212, Facelift) E-Class 1995-M-Class 1997-2015, renamed GLE-class in 20152000 Mercedes Benz SL (R129) SL-Class 1989-2001Mercedes Benz Vaneo 1997-20041992 Mercedes-Benz S-Class1987–1992 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL (W126) sedan Mercedes-Benz W126 (to ~1991)Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W140)Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) (1998-2005/6)see also Maybach

2000s

One standout in the MB lineup in the 21st century has been the Mercedes-Benz G-ClassMercedes-Benz SLK, 1996-2004Mercedes-Benz M-Class, models go by ML430, ML500, etc. naming style

2014 Mercedes-Benz A 250 (W176) Sport hatchback (Australia) Mercedes-Benz A-Class2000-04 Silver Mercedes A140 W168 side.JPG W168 2000-20042004-12 Mercedes Benz A 180 CDI Elegance (W 169) W169 2004-2012                  Mercedes-Benz B-Class2006-08 Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI (W245) hatchback W245 2005-2011               Mercedes-Benz C-Class2001–04 Mercedes-Benz C 220 CDI SportCoupé (Germany) W203 2000-20072008-11 Mercedes Benz CLC 200 Kompressor (CL203) coupe W204 2007-2014

• 2015 Mercedes Benz C 220 BlueTEC Exclusive (W 205)                                        Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
• 2000-06 Mercedes Benz CL Class W215 2000-2006 2007-14 Mercedes Benz CL 500 Sport-Paket AMG (C 216) W216 2007-
• 1997-09 Mercedes Benz CLK Cabriolet (A209)
• 2004-present Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 BlueEFFICIENCY-series EDITION I C 218
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class 1998–03 Mercedes-Benz E 240 (W210) Elegance sedan W210 1995-2002
  • 2009 Mercedes E-Klasse S 400 Hybrid Avantgarde (W211).jpg W211 2003-2009
  • 2009-present Mercedes Benz E 220 CDI Avantgarde (W 212, Facelift) W212 2009-
  • 2012 Mercedes Benz G 63 AMG.JPG Mercedes-Benz G-Class 2000-
  • 2010 Mercedes Benz GL 450 CDI 4MATIC (X164) Mercedes-Benz GL-Class X164 2007-
  • 1998-01 Mercedes Benz ML 320 (W163) wagon Mercedes-Benz M-Class W163 1998-2005
  • 2007-08 Mercedes Benz ML 320 CDI (W164 MY08) wagon W164 2006-2011
  • 2011-present Mercedes Benz ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (W 166) W166 2011-
  • 2008 Mercedes Benz R320CDI L AMG-Sportpaket.JPG R-Class 2006-    Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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  •  Mercedes Benz S-Class (W220) 1999-20052011 Mercedes Benz S-Class (W221)S 320 CDI 4MATIC L (V 221) 2006-2013
    • 2014 Mercedes Benz S550 W 222 (US) lwb W222 2014-                       Mercedes-Benz SLK-ClassR171 2005-2010 1998 Mercedes Benz SLK R170.jpg 1998-20042013 Mercedes Benz SL 550 vf 7-spd automatic.jpg                            Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2001- 2006-08 Mercedes Benz SL 350 (R230) roadster 5th gen.jpg2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR-McLaren 2003-2009722 Edition 2006-2009 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren 722 Roadster variant

2010s

A CLA-clas in Düsseldorf; version CLA 200. This new smaller class featured front-wheel drive and a lowered financial barrier to a new Mercedes product

2011 Mercedes Benz SLS AMG C 197 2010-20132013 Mercedes-Benz CLA 200-Class C 117 2010-20132014 Mercedes Benz GLA 200 CDI Urban (X 156)2013 Mercedes Benz SL 550 R231 vf 7spd-automatic R231.jpg

In the 2015 renaming several existing product lines were renamed

GLK-class to GLC-class

M-class to GLE-class

GL-class to GLS-class

Name change of Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG to Mercedes-AMG C63 in 2014.

Mercedes-Maybach S600

B-Class Electric Drive introduced (Special version of existing B-Class with no piston engine)

Mercedes-Benz SUVs

2014 G-Class G63 AMG 6×62012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class ML 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC (W 166) Mercedes-Benz M-ClassMercedes Benz G 350 BlueTEC (W463) Mercedes-Benz G-Class2013 Mercedes Benz G 63 AMG Brabus B63S 700 6×6  G63 AMG 6×6 (2013–2015)

Mercedes-Benz G 500 4×4² in off-road test Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4²2012 Mercedes Benz GL 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC Sport-Paket AMG (X 166) Mercedes-Benz GL-Class2014 Mercedes Benz GLK 220 CDI 4MATIC Sport-Paket AMG (X 204, Facelift) Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class

Post 2015 naming restructure:                                                                                                     Mercedes Benz GLA-Class2016 Mercedes Benz GLC 220 d 4MATIC AMG Line (X 253) Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class2013 Mercedes-Benz GLE ML 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC (W 166) Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE-Coupe2014 Mercedes Benz GL 500 4MATIC (X 166) Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz vans

Mercedes-Benz MB100, produced 1981-1995

Mercedes-Benz Citan (2012)

1950s

Mercedes-Benz L 319 1955-1967 – mid-sized van from 3,5 to 3,9 tonnes GVWR

1970s

Mercedes-Benz T2 1967-1986 – heavy Van from 3,5 to 6,79 tonnes GVWR –1967 Mercedes Benz O309 Mercedes-Benz O309 – busvariant of T2

1980s

Mercedes-Benz TN or T1 1977-1995 – mid-sized van from 2,55 to 4,6 tonnes GVWR, predecessor to the sprinter1981-95 Mercedes-Benz MB100-180 – mid-sized van from 2,65 to 3,5 tonnes GVWRMercedes Benz T1 Transporter1975 Mercedes Benz N1300 first DKW F1000 L with 3 cyl 981cc 2 stroke DKW engine later with MB1300 Diesel1981-87 Mercedes-Benz MB 100 spanish generación1988-95 Mercedes Benz MB 100 ca. 207.000 Stück1996-03 First Mercedes Benz Vito W638 Vclass 560.000st((2013)2003-14 2nd Mercedes Benz Vito(Viano) W/V 6392014  3rd Mercedes Benz Vito W447 V-class1970-77 Mercedes Benz L206 Harburger Transporter first Hanomag-Henschel 305.0001977-95 Mercedes Benz 207D T1 (601+602 ca. 970.000)1995-05 Mercedes Benz Sprinter 616CDI 156hp Ambulance (1.3000.000)2006-present Mercedes Benz Sprinter W/V 9061956-67 ca. 140.000 Mercedes Benz L 319-L 405(diesel) + L 407(petrol) 1967-86 ca. 540.000 Mercedes Benz T2 first generation1986-96 138.407 Mercedes Benz T2 2nd gen.1996-13 90.743 Mercedes Benz Vario 815D

21st century

All other previous models on the German Wikipedia

• Mercedes-Benz Vito – light van based on the Viano MPV with a payload of approx 1 tonne
  • Mercedes-Benz Metris in the United States
• Mercedes-Benz Sprinter – mid-sized van, based on a joint venture with the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Crafter, with payloads of 2 to 6 tonne. Also produced as a Dodge in USA and Canada with the name FreightlinerSprinter.
  • Sprinter 414 416CDI – ambulance
  • Sprinter 316CDI – light ambulance
• Mercedes-Benz Vario 1996-2013 – heavy van from 3,5 to 7,5 tonnes GVWR
• Mercedes-Benz Citan 2012-

Concept models

Mercedes-Benz C112 (1991)

                                                                                                     Mercedes-Benz Bionic inspired by nature, in particular the yellow boxfish resulting a high volume to low drag ratio (2005)

                                                                                                            Yellow boxfish

 F700 concept car (2007)

Mercedes-Benz C111 – sports car and test vehicle for different high performance engines (wankel engine and later diesel engines) shown in 1969, 1970 and 1978,1979

• Mercedes-Benz Schulz Studie CW311 (1979)
• Mercedes-Benz Auto 2000 – four-door saloon shown in 1981 Frankfurt Auto Show
• Mercedes-Benz NAFA – microcar, 1982
• Mercedes-Benz C112 – sports car and development mule developed in 1991Mercedes-Benz F 100 – car introduced in 1991 North American International Auto Show
• Mercedes-Benz Coupe Concept – car introduced in 1993 Geneva Motor Show
• Mercedes Benz S500 Shooting Break
• Mercedes Benz SLK 2 (1994)
• Mercedes-Benz Vision A93 Concept – small city car, preview of 1997 A-Class
• Mercedes-Benz Vario Research Car – one car, four vehicles, introduced in 1995 Geneva Motor ShowMercedes-Benz F 200 Imagination – two-door coupé introduced in 1996 Paris Motor Show, preview of 1999 S-Class (W220)
• Mercedes-Benz F 300 Life Jet – three-wheel car/motorcycle unveiled in 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show
• Mercedes-Benz Vision SLR – prototype of Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, unveiled in 1999 North American International Auto ShowMercedes-Benz Vision SLA – convertible with details of the SLR, but based on the A-Class platform, unveiled in 2000 North American International Auto ShowMercedes-Benz Vision GST – car shown in 2002 North American International Auto Show, preview of R-ClassMercedes-Benz Vision CLS 2003

Mercedes-Benz F 400 Carving – a two-seat roadster unveiled in 2002 Tokyo Motor Show

• Mercedes Benz F 500 Mind – four-door fastback saloon unveiled in 2003 Tokyo Motor Show
• Mercedes-Benz F 600 HYGENIUS – compact fuel cell car, unveiled in 2005 Tokyo Motor ShowMercedes-Benz Bionic – car unveiled in 2005 DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington, modeled after boxfishMercedes-Benz Ocean Drive – a four-door convertible based on the S600, shown in 2007                                                                                                  Mercedes-Benz F700 – large luxury saloon featuring the small capacity / high output DiesOtto engine, unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show.Mercedes-Benz Concept FASCINATION – shooting-brake giving a preview of the 2010 E-Class (W212), unveiled at 2008 Paris Motor ShowMercedes-Benz S 400 BlueHYBRID 2010Mercedes-Benz BlueZERO (2009)Mercedes-Benz F-Cell Roadster – open two-seater roadster, 2009Mercedes-Benz F 800 Style – four-door sedan shown in 2010 Geneva Motor Show
• Mercedes-Benz BIOME
• Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz (2010)Mercedes-Benz F 125 – experimental luxury vehicle shown in 2011                               2011 Mercedes Benz Silver Lightning                                                                             Mercedes Benz Silver Lightning (2011)
• Mercedes-Benz Unimog Concept (2011)
• Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force (2012)
• Mercedes-Benz Concept GLA SUV
• Mercedes-Benz AMG Vision Grand Turismo (2013)
• SF1 Mercedes-Benz Concept Car
• Mercedes Benz Vision G-Code
• Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile
• Mercedes-Benz F1015

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  Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4^2 Showcar

  Mercedes-Benz G500 4×4² (2015)

Race cars

Street CLK GTR in Romania

Mercedes-Benz CLR at Nürburgring

See Mercedes-Benz in motorsport

• Willhelm Bauer’s Daimler racer
• Jellinek’ Daimler 35 PS Mercedes
• Blitzen Benz 1909, achieved 226.91 km/h (141.94 mph) in November 1909
• Benz Tropfenwagen (tear-drop) 1923
• Mercedes-Benz SSK Rennwagen version (1928 to 1932)
• Mercedes-Benz W125 Rekordwagen – 1937
• Mercedes-Benz T80 – experimental racing car developed for high speed in 1939
• Sauber Mercedes-Benz C9 – 1987
• Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR – racing car primarily, 25 production cars made to meet regulation
• Mercedes-Benz CLR (1999)
• Mercedes-Benz C-Coupé DTM (2011)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class DTM (W203)
• Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class DTM (W204)
• Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3
• Silver Arrows
• Mercedes-Benz W125
• Mercedes-Benz W154
• Mercedes-Benz W165
• Mercedes-Benz W194
• Mercedes-Benz W196
• Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W196S)
• Mercedes-Benz W25

F1

A Mercedes-Benz F1 race car2012 Mercedes F1 W032013 Mercedes F1 W04 Lewis Hamilton Malaysia FP2 1.jpg2014 The F1 W05 Hybrid, driven by Lewis Hamilton, during the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix2015 The F1 W06 Hybrid, driven by Nico Rosberg, during the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix

• Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid

 

• Mercedes MGP W01
• Mercedes MGP W02
• Mercedes-Benz W194
• Mercedes-Benz W196

Mercedes-Benz trucks

Including really big trucks for trailer aka semi’s

The chart of Mercedes-Benz truck models (including the internal designations), 1926-1944. Horizontally: years of production Vertically: payload in tons (approximately) Yellow boxes: L1/L2/L5 family, Light-blue boxes: Lo2000 family, White boxes: the rest.

1926-1944

The first Mercedes-Benz truck range, presented at the 1926 Berlin Motor Show (October) and at the 1927 International Motor Show for Trucks and Special Vehicles in Cologne (May) included three basic models with the payloads of 1.5, 2.5 and 5 tons. Each model was available with a standard and a low-frame chassis. Low chassis made sense especially that time to make easier loading and unloading of the vehicle. Also the low chassis has been used to build the buses. The models with the standard chassis were L1, L2 and L5 (L stood for Lastwagen, German word for a truck, and the digit stood for the rated payload in tons). The models with the low chassis were N1, N2 and NJ5/N5 (N stood for Niederwagen, German word means a low car). The trucks were equipped with the 4 cylinders petrol engines (M14, M2 and M5), developing 45HP, 55HP and 70 HP. Mercedes-Benz L1 and L2 were the new models, but Mercedes-Benz L5 truck was basically a continuation of famous Benz 5CN truck, which was developed before the merge of Benz & Cie and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft companies.

In 1927 Mercedes-Benz presented its first diesel engine (OM5), which immediately became a sensation. It was the world’s first six-cylinder diesel engine, installed on the commercial vehicle. Also from 1927 Mercedes-Benz offered the more powerful 6 cylinders petrol engines (M16, M26 and M36) developing 50HP, 70HP and 100 HP. Four cylinders engines were discontinued only one year later. Therefore, in 1927-1928 most of the trucks from the series L1,L2,L5 were available with 4 or 6 cylinders engines. To distinguish that, 6 cylinders versions of the trucks were referred sometimes as, for example, L1/6 or N2/6.

In 1927-1928 Mercedes-Benz also expanded the range of the truck models, adding the small model L3/4 with the payload of 750 kg (3/4 ton), which was developed from the passenger car Typ 200 Nürnberg, and a heavy three axis model N56 with the payload 7-9 tons. The payloads of L1 and L2 models was increased with the new 6 cylinder engines from 1.5 to 1.75 tons (model L1/N1) and from 2.5 to 3.0-4.0 tons (model L2/N2). To fill the newly formed gap between L1 and L2 models, Mercedes-Benz offered new 2.5 tons model L45/N46 and (a bit later) 2.75/3.0 tons model L57/N58.

Resulting diversity of the trucks made an impressive lineup of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles, but also required a new, better system for their designations. In fact, by the year of 1930, only the model L5 still referred to its payload (5 tons). L1 model’s payload has been gradually increased up to 2 tons, L2 model’s payload – up to 4 tons, and L45/N46 and L57/N58 model names were not saying about their payload at all from the beginning, but were rather the company’s internal model designations. So in October 1930 a new system for the commercial vehicle designation has been introduced. Basically, instead of the one digit, standing for the rated payload in tons, a four digits number, standing for the rated payload in kg, has now been used. This number followed the same letter L for the trucks (as before), or the letters Lo (LO) for the low chassis, or the letter O for the buses (O stood for the German word Omnibus, what is translated as a bus). According to that, the model L1 was renamed to L2000, model L45 was renamed to L2500, model L57 was renamed to L3000, model L2 was renamed to L4000, model L5 was renamed to L5000 and the model N56 was renamed to L8500. This nomenclature has been used for more than 20 years, until 1954.

1945-1960

 The chart of Mercedes-Benz truck models (including the internal designations), 1945-1970. Horizontally: years of production Vertically: payload in tons (approximately) Grey boxes: L4500/L5000 family, White boxes: L3500/L4500 family, Dark-grey boxes: L6600 family, Green boxes: Kurzhauber (light) family, Blue boxes: Kurzhauber (heavy) family, Pink boxes: Kubische kabine (light) family, Purple boxes: Kubische kabine (medium) family.

1990s

Mercedes-Benz SK (Schwere Klasse)

Mercedes-Benz Leichtlastwagen MB 700. Dieser Lastwagen geht bei der indonesischen Beteiligungsgesellschaft “P.T. German Motor Manufacturing” in Jakarta 1994 in Serienproduktion.

Mercedes-Benz MB700 (coe)

Mercedes-Benz MB800 (Built by Mercedes-Benz Türk since 1996, this five-ton cab-over truck uses an Indonesian cabin, a Brazilian engine, and a Spanish transmission)

2000s

Mercedes-Benz Arocs 6×6Pre facelift 1997 Mercedes Benz AtegoMercedes Benz Atego Facelift frontMercedes-Benz Axor – mid-sized truck from 18 to 26 tonnes in rigid and articulated

Actros

Actros

Mercedes Benz ActrosMercedes Benz ActrosMercedes-Benz Actros – heavy duty rigid and premium articulated — 18 to 250 tonnesMercedes Benz Actros Mercedes Benz Actros

Mercedes-Benz Econic – low floor version of the Axor for refuse and specialist applications Mercedes Benz UnimogMercedes-Benz Unimog – for special purpose applications and transport across extreme terrain

Mercedes Benz UnimogMercedes-Benz Zetros – off-road truck for extreme operations                                            1828L (F581) Mobile Casualty Treatment Centre                                                                           1517L Mobile Casualty Treatment CentreMercedes-Benz Arocs 2013Mercedes-Benz models by type code1926-28 Mercedes Benz 5-25 PS (W01 – W14) Typ 140 – 130 W01 1926 typ 140 (prototype)1926-28 Mercedes Benz 8-38 HP Landaulet Taxi (W02)1926-28 MERCEDES BENZ 8-38 Typ 200 (W02)                   1927 Mercedes Benz 8-38hp (W02) Stuttgart 2001926-28 MERCEDES BENZ 8-38 Typ 200 (W02) 1928-33 MERCEDES BENZ 8-38 Typ Stuttgart 200 (W02) 1928-33 MERCEDES BENZ 8-38 Typ Stuttgart 200 (W02) 1926-1936 Stuttgart 200, L3/41926 Mercedes Benz W031926 Mercedes-Benz W03 a

1926-27 mercedes benz w300 (W03)

1926-27 Mercedes Benz W03 1926-1927 typ 300MERCEDES BENZ Typ12-55-14-60-W03-W04-W05–2557 71926-29 Mercedes Benz 12-55 HP (W03+W04) typ 300-320 W04 1927-1928 typ 300, typ 320

1926 Mercedes Benz 12-55hp WO3 6×6 g1 (Prototype Car)1926-29 MERCEDES BENZ Typ 12-55 – 14-60 (W03+W04+W05)a W05 1928-1929 typ 3501929 Mercedes Benz W06 1926-1934 S, SS, SSK, SSKL1932 Mercedes Benz W07 770 Cabrio F WilhelmII 01.jpg W07 1930-1938 typ 770 “Grosser”               1930 Mercedes Benz Typ Nürburg 460 W08.jpg1929 Mercedes Benz Nürburg 460 W08 1928-1939 Nuerburg 460, Nuerburg 500

W09 1928-1931 typ 350, G31931 Mercedes Benz 370S W10 Sport Cabriolet Manheim.jpg  W10 1929-1935 Mannheim 350, Mannheim 370, Mannheim 380, G3a1929-34 Mercedes Benz Typ 10-50 PS W11 1929-1934 Stuttgart 2601929-35 Mercedes Benz W12 1930 Mannheim 370 K

Mercedes Benz 1930

W13 1930 Mannheim 370 S1928 Prototype of the Mercedes-Benz W14 5-25 hp Saloon.1 W14 1928 typ 130 (prototype)                               1931 Mercedes Benz Typ 170 W 15 170-6 1931-1936 typ 170, L300

Mercedes Benz 1932

W16 1932 typ 270

Mercedes Benz 1931                                       1931 mercedes benz 1931 120h w17 prototype 12 excemp W17 1931 typ 120 (prototype, rearmotor)1933 Mercedes Benz Type 290 Cabriolet B W18 1933-1937 typ 290 1935 Mercedes Benz W18 290 A Cabriolet.jpg1935 Mercedes Benz W18 290 LWB Cabrio A.jpgMercedes Benz Typ 290 Spezial-Roadster W18Mercedes Benz Typ 290 Spezial-Roadster W18 rear1936 Mercedes Benz 290 Cabriolet D W18Mercedes Benz 290A W18 white vl TCE1936-37 Mercedes Benz-290 W18 Wehrmacht-Kübelwagen                        1934 Mercedes Benz 290 W18 Kübelwagen W18 III 1934 typ 290 Kübelwagen I(amphibie)

1934 Mercedes Benz Typ 380 Cabriolet C W19 1932-1933 typ 380 S                            1932-33 Mercedes Benz Mannheim 380S W20 1932-1933 typ 380 S1935 Mercedes Benz 200 W21 1933-1937 typ 200, typ 2301933-34 MERCEDES BENZ Typ 380 W22 1933-1934 typ 3801934-36 MERCEDES BENZ130-W23–2634 1+2+3 W23 1934-1936 typ 130 (rearmotor)1936+1939-42 Mercedes Benz 540 K W24 1936, 1943 typ 540 KW25 1934-1936 W25 Silver Arrow1933 Mercedes Benz Silberpfeile W-25D.jpg W25D 1933 typ 175 (prototype)

?

W27 1935 Mannheim 390, Mannheim 4001936 Mercedes Benz W28 170H W28 1936-1939 typ 170 H1934 Mercedes Benz 500 K Special Roadster W29 3215 1934-1939 typ 500 K, typ 540 K1935 Mercedes-Benz 500K W29

Mercedes Benz 500 K at Turin W291936 Mercedes Benz 500 K Spezial-Roadster W291934 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Sport-Roadster W291935 Mercedes Benz 500 K W29 mit Erdmann-&-Rossi-Karosserie für den König des Irak

1939 Mercedes-Benz W29K540K Cabriolet, Baujahr 19391935 Mercedes Benz 150 Roadster W30 1935-1936 typ 150 (rearmotor)1938 Mercedes Benz G4 W31 1934-1939 typ G4W34 1934 typ 150 (rearmotor)Daimler-Benz L 1000 W37 Heusenstamm. W37 1929-1936 L1000 (Stuttgart 260 based)

Mercedes Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet Limousine W100 1963-19811926-28 MERCEDES BENZ G1 (W103).jpg

Mercedes Geschiedenis Modellen En Types 1886 2001 Mercedes Benz W103 19261928 Mercedes Benz W103 19261928 – E-wall-Car

W103 1926-1928 G1, G2

W104 1928 G21954-59 MERCEDES BENZ S-KLASSE PONTON (W180-W105-W128) 219 W105 1956-1959 219

W107 1971-1989 280 SL – 560 SLC1972 Mercedes Benz 280 SE W108 1965-1972 250 S – 280 SEL1968 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 W109 1965-1972 300 SELW110 1961-1968 190, 200, 230W111 1959-1971 220, 250, 280 /S/SE1965 Mercedes Benz W112 300SE 1961-1967 300 SE            1968 Mercedes Benz W113 280Sl.W113 1963-1971 230 SL, 250 SL, 280 SLMercedes Benz-E Class W114 W115.jpg1967-76 Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse (W114/115) W114 1968-1976 230.6, 250, 250C, 280, 280E, 280C, 280CE1975 Mercedes-Benz 240D W115 1968-1976 200, 200D, 220, 220D, 230, 240D, 240D 3.0, 300DMercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 W116 1972-1980 280 S – 450 SEL

2013 Piecha Design Mercedes-Benz CLA 250 W117 2013 aro 19 2.0 Turbo 211 cv 2013- CLA1960 Mercedes Benz w118 (Prototype Car)1960 Mercedes-Benz W118-W119 Prototype1960 Prototype of a compact Mercedes-Benz dating from around 1960 W1181960 Mercedes-Benz W118-W119 Prototype a W118 1960 prototypeW119 1960 prototypeMercedes Benz 180 2 v sst W120 1953-1962 180, 180DMercedes-Benz 190D W121 1956-1961 190, 190D

1955-63 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL (R121)  R121 1955-1963 190 SL

History of Mercedes Benz W1221956 Mercedes Benz W122 prototype 03.jpg W122 1956 prototypeMercedes W123 1976-1985 200, 230, 230E, 250, 280E, 300EMercedes Benz W125 1936-1938 W125 Silver ArrowMercedes Benz W124 1985-1996 200 – 500E1987 Mercedes Benz 500 SE W126 1979-1993 260SE – 560SEL1960 Mercedes 190sl W127.jpg1955 mercedes-benz-190-sl-w-121-1955-1963-1955-3.jpg1955 Mercedes Benz oldnew190sl.jpg

History of Mercedes Benz 190sl W121

1955 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL W127 1955 190 SL (prototype)1959 Mercedes Benz 220SE W128 1958-1960 220 SE1989 Mercedes-Benz R129 SL SC06.1999 Mercedes-Benz R129 SL500 R129 1989-2001 280 SL – 600 SL1939 Mercedes-Benz-580-K W129-Sport-Roadster W129 1939-1940 typ 540 K, 580 K                                              1935-36 Mercedes-Benz-150 Heckmotor Sport W130                       1935-36 Mercedes-Benz-150 Heckmotor Sport W130 open            1935-36 Mercedes Benz 150 Heckmotor Sport W130

1934 Mercedes-Benz-W-130-Production-5-1934-2 W130 1935 typ 150 (rearmotor)

Mercedes-Benz Replica G-4 W131 Grosser Six Luggage Carrier S-N 440891E Black-BlackMercedes-Benz Replica G-4 W131 Grosser Six Seven-Passenger Convertible Sedan1934 mercedes benz 520 540 g 4 W131.jpg1934 mercedes benz 520 540 g 4 W131a.jpg W131 1934 G 4

W132 1934-1935 typ 240

W132 II 1935 typ 2501935 Mercedes-Benz-170VG W133 III W133 III 1935 typ 170 VG Kuebelsitzer 4×4             1935 mercedes-benz-05 170VG (W133 III).jpg

W133 1935 typ 160 H

W133 II 1935 typ 160 HM

W133 III 1935 typ 170 VG Kuebelsitzer 4×4

W134 1934 typ 175 D (prototype)

W134 I 1935 typ 190 D (prototype)                                       1936 mercedes benz 1936 W135 cabrio papler  W135 1936-1937 typ 290 Kübelwagen II

W136 1936-1942 typ 170 V

W137 1930-1936 L1000 (Stuttgart 260 based)

W138 1936-1940 typ 260 D

W139 1936 typ 170 VL Kuebelsitzer 4×4, 160 VL

W140 1991-1998 300 SE – 600 SEL

W140 I 1935 typ 240 S

W141 1935-1936 typ 175 DX (prototype)

W142 1937-1942 typ 320, 320 WK, 340 WK

W143 1937-1941 typ 230

W144 1936-1937 typ 130 V (Roehr prototype)

W145 1936-1937 typ 190 V (Roehr prototype)

W146 1936-1937 typ 260 V (Roehr prototype)

W147 1938 typ 400 V (Roehr prototype)

W148 1941-1942 typ 600 V

W149 1938-1939 typ 200 V Sportwagen

W150 1938-1943 typ 770 “Grosser”

W152 1937-1940 G5

W153 1938-1943 typ 230, typ 340

W154 1938-1939 W154 Silver Arrow

W156 coming soon GLA

W157 1941-1942 typ 600 K

W158 1938-1942 typ 170 VX (prototype)

W159 1941-1942 typ 260 (prototype)

W160 1938 typ 400 VM (Roehr prototype)

W161 1938 typ 400 VMS (Roehr prototype)

W163 1997-2005 ML

W164 2005-2011 ML

X164 2006-2012 GL

W164 1939 typ 150 BX (prototype)

W165 1939 W165 Silver Arrow

W166 2011- ML

X166 2012- GL

W166 1939 typ 290 D (prototype)

W168 1943 typ 290 D (prototype)

W168 1997-2004 A

W169 2004-2012 A

R170 1996-2004 SLK

R171 2004-2011 SLK

R172 2011- SLK

R197 2009-2014 SLS AMG Roadster

W173 1942 typ 650 (prototype)

W176 2012- A

W177 coming soon SLM

W179 1942-1944 G6

W180 1984-1959 220 /S

W185 1939 typ 120 FX (prototype)

W186 1951-1957 300

W187 1951-1955 220

W188 1951-1958 300 S

W189 1957-1962 300

C190 2014- AMG GT

W191 1952-1953 170 S, 170 DS

W194 1952-1953 300 SL

W195 1937 W125 Rekordwagen

W196 1954-1955 W196 Formula 1

W196S 1955 300 SLR

C197 2009-2014 SLS AMG

W198 1954-1963 300SL

C199 2003-2010 SLR

W201 1982-1993 190

W202 1993-2000 C

W203 2001-2007 C

CL203 2008-2011 CLC

W204 2007- C

X204 2008- GLK

W205 coming soon C

C207 2009- E coupe

C208 1996-2003 CLK

C209 2003-2009 CLK

W210 1995-2003 E

W211 2002-2009 E

W212 2009- E

C215 1999-2006 CL

C216 2006- CL

C218 2010- CLS Coupé

X218 2010- CLS Shooting Brake

C219 2004-2010 CLS

W220 1998-2005 S

W221 2005-2013 S

W222 2013- S

R230 2001-2011 SL

R231 2011- SL

W240 2002-2013 Maybach

W245 2005-2011 B

W246 2011- B

W251 2005- R

W252 coming soon R

C297 1997 CLK-GTR

303 L 4500, L 5000, L 5500

304 L 6600

309 1967-1986 T2 (old)

310 1967-1986 T2 (old)

311 L 3500

312 L 4500

313 1967-1986 T2 (old)

315

319 1956-1968 L319 / L319D

321 L911

322 L1113

323 L710

325

326

327 L1413

328 L911

329 L1518

331

332

333

334

335 L1620

336 L1920

337

338 L1418

346 L1624, L1924

349 L1618

366 L2023

401 1953-1956 Unimog U25

402 1953-1956 Unimog U25

403 1966-1988 Unimog U54, U66, U72, U800

404 1956-1980 Unimog U82, U110 (Unimog S)

405 2000- Unimog U300, U400, U500

406 1963-1986 Unimog U65, U70, U80, U84, U900

407 1988-1993 Unimog U600, U650

408 1992-2001 Unimog U90, U100

409 1996-1998 Unimog UX100

411 1956-1971 Unimog U34, U36

413 1969-1988 Unimog U80, U800

414 2002-2005 Vaneo

415 2012- Citan

416 1965-1989 Unimog U80, U90, U100, U110, U125, U1100

417 1988-1993 Unimog U 800, U900, U1100, U1150

418 1992-1998 Unimog U110, U140

421 1966-1989 Unimog U40, U45, U52, U60, U600

424 1976-1989 Unimog U1000, U1200, U1250, U1550

425 1975-1990 Unimog U1300, U1500

427 1988-2002 Unimog U1000, U1200, U1250, U1400, U1450, U1600, U1650

435 1975-1990 Unimog U1300, U1700

437 1988-2002 Unimog U1350, U1550, U1700, U1750, U2100, U2150, U2400, U2450

437.4 2002- Unimog U3000, U4000, U5000

440 1973-1991 MB-Trac 65/70, 700, 800, 900

441 1982-1991 MB-Trac 1000

442 1976-1991 MB-Trac 1100

443 1976-1991 MB-Trac 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1800

450 1998–2007 Smart Fortwo

451 2007– Smart Fortwo

452 2003-2005 Smart Roadster

454 2004-2006 Smart Forfour

460 1979-1991 G

461 1979- G

462 G

463 1990- G

601 1977-1985 T1

602 1977-1985 T1

611 1977-1985 T1

631 1981-1995 MB100

638 1996-2003 Vito

639 2003- Vito

661 1999-2004 MB140

667 1986-1996 T2 (new)

668 1986-1996 T2 (new)

669 1986-1996 T2 (new)

670 1986-1996 T2 (new)

670 1996- Vario

901 1995-2006 T1N Sprinter

902 1995-2006 T1N Sprinter

903 1995-2006 T1N Sprinter

904 1995-2006 T1N Sprinter

905 1995-2006 T1N Sprinter

906 2006- NCV3 Sprinter II

930-934 Actros MP2, MP3

944 Axor

950-954 Actros

949 Zetros

957 Econic

963 Actros MP4, Antos

970-976 Atego

Joint ventures

Maybach 62 shown here, an ultra-luxury brand launched by Mercedes-Benz in 1997.

MB-combination vehicles (such as joint-ventures)

• Mercedes-AMG (typically specialized AMG versions of MB vehicles)
• Maybach (ultra-luxury brand since 1997)
• McLaren (produced joint venture supercar)

Corporate history and related bushinesses

• DaimlerChrysler (1998-2006 Daimler and Chrysler were combined and resulted in many vehicles)
• MTU Friedrichshafen, aka Maybach Motorenbau (Purchased by Daimler-Benz in 1960)
• Benz Söhne (1906-1926)
• Unimog Daimler-Benz took over in 1950?

Tuners

some examples

• Brabus
• Kleemann
• Wald

Mercedes-Benz A-Class (compact)

Mercedes B-Class (Tourer)

Mercedes-Benz C-Class (D-segment)

Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Executive car)

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (luxury sedan)

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (Grand Tourer)

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (supercar)

Mercedes-Benz M-Class (luxury SUV)

Current model range

Mercedes-Benz offers a full range of passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial equipment. Vehicles are manufactured in multiple countries worldwide. The Smartmarque of city cars are also produced by Daimler AG.

• A-Class – Hatchback
• B-Class – Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
• C-Class – Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet
• CLA-Class – 4 Door Coupé and Estate
• CLS-Class – 4 Door Coupé and Estate
• E-Class – Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet
• G-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
• GLA-Class – Compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)/ Crossover
• GLC-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
• GLE-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
• GLS-Class – Large Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
• S-Class – Luxury Saloon, Coupé & Cabriolet
• SL-Class – Grand Tourer
• SLC-Class – Roadster
• V-Class – Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV)/ Van
• AMG GT – Sports car/ Supercar

Vans

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz produces a range of vans; Citan (a rebadged version of the Renault Kangoo), Vito and Sprinter.

Trucks

See also: List of Mercedes-Benz trucks

Mercedes-Benz Zetros used for snowplowing

Unimog, a famous allround vehicle by Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is now part of the Daimler Trucks division, and includes companies that were part of the DaimlerChrysler merger. Gottlieb Daimler sold the world’s first truck in 1886. The first factory to be built outside Germany after WWII was in Argentina. It originally built trucks, many of which were modified independently to buses, popularly named Colectivo. Today, it builds buses, trucks and the Sprinter van.

Buses

buses-and-coaches-mercedes-benz-mannheim-germany-since-1895

Main article: Mercedes-Benz buses

Mercedes-Benz produces a wide range of buses and coaches, mainly for Europe and Asia. The first model was produced by Karl Benz in 1895.

Significant models produced

1928: SSK racing car1930: 770 “Großer Mercedes” state and ceremonial carMercedes Benz 500K 1934: 500 K  1936: 260 D World’s first diesel production car1936: 1701938: W195 Speed Record-breaker1939: 320A A military vehicle1951: 300, known as the “Adenauer Mercedes”1953: “Ponton” models1954: 300SL “Gullwing”1956: 190SL1959: “Fintail” models1960: 220SE Cabriolet1963: 600 “Grand Mercedes”1963: 230SL “Pagoda”1965: S-Class1966:  6.31968: W114 “new generation” compact cars                                          1969: C111 experimental vehicle1972: W107 350SL

                                1974: 450SEL 6.91977: W123– Mercedes’ first station wagon1978: 300SD – Mercedes’ first turbo diesel                    1979: 500SEL and G-Class1983: 190E 2.3–161989: 300SL, 500SL1990: 500E1991: 600SEL1993: C-Class1995: C43 AMG1995: SL73 AMG, 7.3 V121996: SLK1997: A-Class and M-Class2004: SLR McLaren and CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E 300 BlueTEC 2007: BlueTec E320, GL320 Bluetec, ML320 Bluetec, R320 Bluetec

2010: SLS AMG

2013: CLA-Class

The Mercedes-Benz 600 or 600S Pullman Guard limousines offer the option of armour-plating and have been used by diplomats worldwide.

Car nomenclature

Until 1994, Mercedes-Benz utilized an alphanumeric system for categorizing their vehicles, consisting of a number sequence approximately equal to the engine’s displacement in liters multiplied by 100, followed by an arrangement of alphabetical suffixes indicating body style and engine type.

• “C” indicates a coupe or cabriolet body style (for example, the CL and CLK models, though the C-Class is an exception, since it is also available as a sedan or station wagon).
• “D” indicates the vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine.
• “E” (for “Einspritzung”) indicates the vehicle’s engine is equipped with petrol fuel injection. In most cases (the 600 limousine and Mercedes E-Class being the exceptions), if neither “E” or “D” is present, the vehicle has a petrol engine with a carburettor.
• “G” was originally used for the Geländewagen off-road vehicle, but is now applied to Mercedes SUVs in general (for example, the GLA and GLK).
• “K” was used in the 1930s, indicating a supercharger (“Kompressor”) equipped engine. Two exceptions : the SSK and CLK, where K indicates “Kurz” (short-wheelbase).
• “L” indicates “Leicht” (lightweight) for sporting models, and “Lang” (long-wheelbase) for sedan models.
• “R” indicates “Rennen” (racing), used for racing cars (for example, the 300SLR).
• “S” Sonderklasse “Special class” for flagship models, including the S-Class, and the SL-Class, SLR McLaren and SLS sportscars.
• “T” indicates “Touring” and an estate (or station wagon) body style.

Some models in the 1950s also had lower-case letters (b, c, and d) to indicate specific trim levels. For other models, the numeric part of the designation does not match the engine displacement. This was done to show the model’s position in the model range independent of displacement or in the price matrix. For these vehicles, the actual displacement in liters is suffixed to the model designation. An exception was the 190-class with the numeric designation of “190” as to denote its entry level in the model along with the displacement label on the right side of the boot (190E 2.3 for 2.3-litre 4-cylinder petrol motor, 190D 2.5 for 2.5-litre 5-cylinder diesel motor, and so forth). Some older models (such as the SS and SSK) did not have a number as part of the designation at all.

For the 1994 model year, Mercedes-Benz revised the naming system. Models were divided into “classes” denoted by an arrangement of up to three letters (see “Current model range” above), followed by a three-digit (or two-digit for AMG models, with the number approximately equal to the displacement in litres multiplied by 10) number related to the engine displacement as before. Variants of the same model such as an estate version or a vehicle with a diesel engine are no longer given a separate letter. The SLR, SLS and GT supercars do not carry a numerical designation.

Today, many numerical designations no longer reflect the engine’s actual displacement but more of the relative performance and marketing position. Despite its engine displacement in two litres, the powerplant in the A45 AMG produces 355 brake horsepower so the designation is higher as to indicate the greater performance. Another example is the E250 CGI having greater performance than the E200 CGI due to the different engine tuning even though both have 1.8-litre engines. From the marketing perspective, E200 seems more “upscale” than E180. Recent AMG models use the “63” designation (in honor of the 1960s 6.3-litre M100 engine) despite being equipped with either a 6.2-litre (M156) or 5.5-litre (M157) engine.

Some models carry further designations indicating special features:

• “4MATIC” indicates the vehicle is equipped with all-wheel-drive.
• “BlueTEC” indicates a diesel engine with selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment.
• “BlueEFFICIENCY” indicates special fuel economy features (direct injection, start-stop system, aerodynamic modifications, etc.)
• “CGI” (Charged Gasoline Injection) indicates direct gasoline injection.
• “CDI” (Common-rail Direct Injection) indicates a common-rail diesel engine.
• “Hybrid” indicates a petrol- or diesel-electric hybrid.
• “NGT” indicates a natural gas-fueled engine.
• “Kompressor” indicates a supercharged engine.
• “Turbo” indicates a turbocharged engine, only used on A-, B-,E- and GLK-Class models.
• “AMG Line” indicates the interior or engine, depending which car, has been fitted with the luxuries of their AMG sports cars

Model designation badges can be deleted at the request of the customer.

2015 and beyond

Rationalisation of the model nomenclature was announced in November 2014 for future models. The changes consolidate many confusing nomenclature and their placements in the model range such as CL-Class is now called the S-Class Coupé. The naming structure is divided into four categories: core, off-road vehicle/SUV, 4-door coupé, and roadster. AMG GT, and V-Class are unaffected by the change.Note: The CLA is positioned between the A- and B-Class models, while the CLS sits between the E- and S-Classes.

In addition to the revised nomenclature, Mercedes-Benz has new nomenclature for the drive systems.The revised A45 AMG for 2016 model year on has shifted the model designation to the right side while AMG is on the left side. This trend commenced with Mercedes-Maybach with MAYBACH on the left and S500/S600 on the right.

Environmental record

Mercedes-Benz has developed multi concept cars with alternative propulsion, such as hybrid-electric, fully electric, and fuel-cell powertrains. At the 2007 Frankfurt motor show, Mercedes-Benz showed seven hybrid models, including the F700 concept car, powered by a hybrid-electric drivetrain featuring the DiesOtto engine. In 2009, Mercedes-Benz displayed three BlueZERO concepts at the North American International Auto Show. Each car features a different powertrain – battery-electric, fuel-cell electric, and gasoline-electric hybrid. In the same year, Mercedes also showed the Vision S500 PHEV concept with a 19 miles (31 km) all-electric range and CO₂ emissions of 74 grams/km in the New European Driving Cycle.

Since 2002, Mercedes-Benz has developed the F-Cell fuel cell vehicle. The current version, based on the B-Class, has a 250-mile range and is available for lease, with volume production scheduled to begin in 2014. Mercedes has also announced the SLS AMG E-Cell, a fully electric version of the SLS sports car, with deliveries expected in 2013. The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHYBRID was launched in 2009, and is the first production automotive hybrid in the world to use a lithium-ion battery. In mid-2010, production commenced on the Vito E-Cell all-electric van. Mercedes expects 100 vehicles to be produced by the end of 2010 and a further 2000 by the end of 2011.

In 2008, Mercedes-Benz announced that it would have a demonstration fleet of small electric cars in two to three years. Mercedes-Benz and Smart are preparing for the widespread uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK by beginning the installation of recharging points across their dealer networks. So far 20 Elektrobay recharging units, produced in the UK by Brighton-based Elektromotive, have been installed at seven locations as part of a pilot project, and further expansion of the initiative is planned later in 2010.

In the United States, Mercedes-Benz was assessed a record US$30.66 million fine for their decision to not meet the federal corporate average fuel economy standard in 2009. Certain Mercedes-Benz cars, including the S550 and all AMG models sold in the United States, also face an additional gas guzzler tax. However, newer AMG models fitted with the M157 engine will not be subject to the gas-guzzler tax, due to improved fuel economy, and newer models powered by the M276 and M278 engines will have better fuel economy. In 2008, Mercedes also had the worst CO₂ average of all major European manufacturers, ranking 14th out of 14 manufacturers. Mercedes was also the worst manufacturer in 2007 and 2006 in terms of average CO₂ levels, with 181 g and 188 g of CO₂ emitted per km, respectively.

Bicycles

Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH introduced three new bicycles in 2005, and the range has developed to include the patent pending Foldingbike in 2007. Other models include the Mercedes-Benz Carbon Bike, Trekking Bike, Fitness Bike and the Trailblazer Bike.

Motorsport

Main article: Mercedes-Benz in motorsport

A DMG Mercedes Simplex 1906 in the Deutsches Museum

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. A single Benz competed in the world’s first motor race, the 1894 Paris–Rouen, where Émile Roger finished 14th in 10 hours 1 minute. 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 300 SLR rammed another car (An Austin-Healey), took off into the stands, and killed more than 80 spectators. Stirling Moss and co-driver Denis Jenkinson made history by winning the 1955 Mille Miglia road race in Italy during a record-breaking drive with an average speed of almost 98 mph in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR.

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, Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft (DTM), and Formula One with Sauber. The 1990s saw Mercedes-Benz purchase British engine builder Ilmor (now Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines), and campaign IndyCars under the USAC/CART rules, eventually winning the 1994 Indianapolis 500 and 1994 CART IndyCar World Series Championship with Al Unser, Jr. at the wheel. The 1990s 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.

Formula One

 The Mercedes-Benz Formula One team at the 2013 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Main article: Mercedes-Benz in Formula One

Mercedes-Benz took part in the world championship in 1954 and 1955, but despite being successful with two championship titles for Juan-Manuel Fangio, the company left the sport after just two seasons. Fangio is considered by many to be the best F1 driver in history.

Mercedes-Benz returned as an engine supplier in the 1990s and part-owned Team McLaren for some years, to which it has supplied engines engineered by Ilmor since 1995. This partnership 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 had been extended into the production of roadgoing cars such as the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.

In 2007, McLaren-Mercedes was fined a record US$100 million for stealing confidential Ferrari technical data.

In 2009, Ross Brawn‘s newly conceived Formula One team, Brawn GP used Mercedes engines to help win the constructor’s championship, and Jenson Button to become champion in the F1 drivers’ championship. At the end of the season, Mercedes-Benz sold its 40% stake in McLaren to the McLaren Group and bought 70% of the Brawn GP team jointly with an Abu Dhabi-based investment consortium. Brawn GP was renamed Mercedes GP for the 2010 season and is, from this season on, a works team for Mercedes-Benz. As of 2015, the company currently provides engines to the Williams F1 Team, Sahara Force India F1 Team and the Lotus F1 Team.

In 2014, Mercedes clinched its first F1 Constructor’s title with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg with 3 races to go, after dominating much of the season. Mercedes repeated its dominance in 2015 in similar fashion, losing only 3 races out of 19 once again.

Logo history

 

• 

  1902-1909

• 

  1909-1916

• 

  1916-1926

• 

  1926-current

• 

  1980-current

• 

  1990-current

Noted employees

• Paul Bracq – major designer of automobiles in the 20th century
• Béla Barényi – car safety pioneer (rigid passenger safety shell), joined Daimler-Benz in 1937
• Wilhelm Maybach – automotive pioneer, first met Gottlieb Daimler in 1865
• Ferdinand Porsche – founder of Porsche, joined Mercedes in 1923 and developed the Kompressor
• Bruno Sacco – joined Daimler-Benz as a designer in 1958. Head of Design in 1975, retired in 1999
• Rudolf Uhlenhaut – joined Daimler-Benz in 1931, his designs included the Silver Arrows, the 300 SL and 300SLR
• Adolf Eichmann – former Nazi criminal. Worked in Argentina’s factory after WWII^[75]
• Rudolf Caracciola – one of the greatest GP drivers in history drove MB Silver Arrows in competition.Josef Ganz – Technical consultant and “Godfather” of the *Mercedes-Benz W136, with the revolutionary Independent suspension, Swing axle layout.

Innovations

Numerous technological innovations have been introduced on Mercedes-Benz automobiles throughout the many years of their production, including:

• The internal combustion engine automobile was developed independently by Benz and Daimler & Maybach in 1886
• Daimler invented the honeycomb radiator of the type still used on all water-cooled vehicles today
• Daimler invented the float carburetor which was used until replaced by fuel injection
• The “drop chassis” – the car originally designated the “Mercedes” by Daimler was also the first car with a modern configuration, having the carriage lowered and set between the front and rear wheels, with a front engine and powered rear wheels. All earlier cars were “horseless carriages”, which had high centres of gravity and various engine/drive-train configurations
• The first passenger road car to have brakes on all four wheels (1924)1938 (1936-40) Mercedes Benz 260D W138                                                                                  In 1936, the Mercedes-Benz 260 D was the first diesel powered passenger car.Mercedes-Benz were the first to offer direct fuel injection on the (1955)Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
• The “safety cage” or “safety cell” construction with front and rear crumple zones was first developed by Mercedes-Benz in 1951. This is considered by many as the most important innovation in automobile construction from a safety standpoint
• In 1959, Mercedes-Benz patented a device that prevents drive wheels from spinning by intervening at the engine, transmission, or brakes. In 1987, Mercedes-Benz applied its patent by introducing a traction control system that worked under both braking and acceleration
• an Anti-Lock Brake system (ABS) was first offered on the W116 450SEL 6.9. They became standard on the W126 S-Class starting production in 1979 and first sold in most markets in 1980.
• Airbags were first introduced in the European market, beginning with model year 1981 S-Class.
• Mercedes-Benz was the first to introduce pre-tensioners to seat belts on the 1981 S-Class. In the event of a crash, a pre-tensioner will tighten the belt instantaneously, removing any ‘slack’ in the belt, which prevents the occupant from jerking forward in a crash
• In September 2003, Mercedes-Benz introduced the world’s first seven-speed automatic transmission called ‘7G-Tronic‘
• Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), brake assist, and many other types of safety equipment were all developed, tested, and implemented into passenger cars – first – by Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz has not made a large fuss about its innovations, and has even licensed them for use by competitors – in the name of improving automobile and passenger safety. As a result, crumple zones and anti-lock brakes (ABS) are now standard on all modern vehicles.

Mercedes M156 engine

• The (W211) E320 CDI which has a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) 3.0-litre V6common rail diesel engine (producing 224 hp or 167 kW), set three world endurance records. It covered 100,000 miles (160,000 km) in a record time, with an average speed of 224.823 km/h (139.70 mph). Three identical cars did the endurance run (one set above record) and the other two cars set world records for time taken to cover 100,000 kilometres (62,137 mi) and 50,000 miles (80,000 km) respectively. After all three cars had completed the run, their combined distance was 300,000 miles (480,000 km) (all records were FIA approved).
• Mercedes-Benz pioneered a system called Pre-Safe to detect an imminent crash – and prepares the car’s safety systems to respond optimally. It also calculates the optimal braking force required to avoid an accident in emergency situations, and makes it immediately available for when the driver depresses the brake pedal. Occupants are also prepared by tightening the seat belt, closing the sunroof and windows, and moving the seats into the optimal position.
• At 181 horsepower per litre, the M133 engine installed in Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is the most powerful series production four-cylinder turbocharged motor (as of June 2013) and has one of the highest power density for a passenger vehicle.

Half a century of vehicle safety innovation helped win Mercedes-Benz the Safety Award at the 2007 What Car? Awards.

Robot cars

Main article: Driverless car

In the 1980s, Mercedes built the world’s first robot car, together with the team of Professor Ernst Dickmanns at Bundeswehr University Munich. Partially encouraged by Dickmanns’ success, in 1987 the European Union’s EUREKA programme initiated the Prometheus Project on autonomous vehicles, funded to the tune of nearly €800 million. A culmination point was achieved in 1995, when Dickmanns’ re-engineered autonomous S-Class Mercedes took a long trip from Munich in Bavaria to Copenhagen in Denmark, and back. On highways, the robot achieved speeds exceeding 175 km/h (109 mph) (permissible in some areas of the German Autobahn). The car’s abilities has heavily influenced robot car research and funding decisions worldwide.

As for the future of Mercedes-Benz Robot Cars, in October 2015, the company introduced the Vision Tokyo, a five-seat electric van powered by a hybrid hydrogen fuel-cell systerm. The super-sleek van is touted as “a chill-out zone in the midst of megacity traffic mayhem.”

Tuners

Several companies have become car tuners (or modifiers) of Mercedes Benz, in order to increase performance and/or luxury to a given model.

AMG is Mercedes-Benz’s in-house performance-tuning division, specialising in high-performance versions of most Mercedes-Benz cars. AMG engines are all hand-built, 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.

The 2009 SLS AMG, a revival of the 300SL Gullwing, is the first car to be entirely developed by AMG.

There are numerous independent tuners including Brabus, Carlsson, Kleemann and Renntech.

Sponsorships

 Mercedes-Benz is sponsoring the German national football team.

In football, Mercedes-Benz sponsors Germany National Football Team. Mercedes-Benz sponsors Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart and provides the naming rights for their stadium, the Mercedes-Benz Arena. The company also holds the naming rights to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. On August 24, 2015, Mercedes-Benz was announced as the naming rights sponsor for the Atlanta Falcons‘ new home Mercedes-Benz Stadium, scheduled to open in 2017.

• Bertha Benz
• Mercedes-Benz AMG