Mercedes-Benz

Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler were both born in the southern part of Germany only 60 miles away from each other. Daimler was born on March 17th, 1834 and a whole decade later Benz was born on November 25th. Both boys grew up in different ways and they each had different hobbies. But there was one love that they both shared - the love of machines and great cars.

They both grew up away from each other - but the two of them would build cars in their spare time and did it in such an unusual way that many people were skeptical about how and what they were doing. We do know that the two boys did not know what the other was doing until later in their lives.

Carl Benz built his first motorized tricycle in 1886 and then his first four wheeler (which he named the Victoria) in 1893. The first production car that he produced was named the Benz Volvo and it was built in 1894. The Volvo participated in the world's first recorded car race - the Paris-Rouen race. Benz produced his first truck in 1895.

Gottlieb Daimler was just as busy during those years. In 1886 he produced a horseless carriage. Two years later he made a business deal with William Steinway to create products for the U.S. Steinway helped to produce Mercedes cars from 1904 to 1907 until a fire shut them down.

Many found it ironic that Daimler loved to work on cars and to produce them because it was said that he hated to drive. His work made him a legend and he earned the nickname "Father of Modern Automobiles". In 1900 Daimler died and left the control of his company to his chief engineer - Wilhelm Mayback.

On November 22nd, 1900 Daimler Motoren Gesselschat created a special car for Emil Jellinek. Jellinek wanted to name the care after his ten year old daughter - Mercedes. This new Mercedes luxury car was equipped with 35 horsepower and a top speed of 55 mph.

Benz and Daimler loved the idea of racing and saw the potential that it held. Because of it they produced many race cars and entered into many of the competitions. Daimler managed to overshadow Benz in these competitions up until 1908. During the 1908 French Grand Prix Benz took third and second place while driving a Mercedes.

Both Benz and Daimler factories were converted into production sites for war materials during World War I. After the war was finished they both began to produce their personal cars once more.

Through the years they have had their ups and downs - but both have managed to stay on top. Together they have created their own unique style of cars and worked to improve their line-ups every year.

Mercedes will be releasing the next-generation E-class sedan next year during the Geneva Motor Show. It will go on sale not long after its debut. The new 2010 E-Class will be similar to the current model when it comes to the size. The styling is similar to the four-door CLS coupe with the exception of a new angular front end and four square headlights.

The base model will be equipped with 184 horsepower 4-cylinder turbo engines. The higher end models will be equipped with 544 horsepower V8 engines. There will be a new model to the line-up - the direct injection petrol V6 hybrid model that is built with a 354 horsepower diesel V8 version. This new model is set to arrive in 2010.

The interior will have the quality that we expect to see from a Mercedes and will also be given special features that include an in-dash unit located between the tachometer and speedo and a mounted color screen.

The wagon variant will be released less then a year after the E-Class sedan has been launched. It will be equipped with a widened C-pillar and chrome strip across the back. There are rumors that a second E-class variant will come not long after and will be 20cm longer than the standard E-class and will be produced in China.

Mercedes-Benz began designing and producing the world's best cars in January of 1886 when Gottlieb Daimler and engineer Wilhelm Maybach created the first automobile. This German automaker started a as a division of its parent company (Daimler AG) and was owned previously by Daimler-Benz.

The design for this first model was a carriage that had been converted adding on a petrol engine. They began to market their first automobile in 1901 with the first brand name Mercedes-Benz autos being produced in 1926. It was around this time that Karl Benz's and Gottlieb Daimler's companies into Daimler-Benz.

Over 100 years Mercedes-Benz has created technological and safety innovations that have become standard use on modern vehicles. Each and every one of their cars are built with durability and quality. With this success it is no wonder that they have become one of the world's finest and highest quality cars on the market.

Mercedes has always been able to cater to both the average as well as the wealthy customers. For everyone they have added luxury and safety to their cars. In 2008 Mercedes-Benz received fourth place in quality rating and received the Platinum Plant Quality Award.