German Cars - companies, models, legends.

In 1886 the german engineer Carl Benz (some sources also say, the correct spelling of his first name is "Karl") introduced his "Motorwagen", a car with a four-stroke engine. This date generally is mentioned as the beginning of the automobile era. The public opinion at that time, however, did not take him for serious. Some called it a "wagon without horses". Today the name Benz is still living: Mercedes Benz.

So it took some decades more, when an American made the automobile popular: Henry Ford was the first, who started automobile mass production, making the car available for everybody.

Today Germany and its big automobile industry (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen/Audi, BMW, Opel) is one of the leading car producing countries worldwide. German cars are ranking on 4 - after Japan, USA, and, meanwhile, China.

Mercedes Benz, a divison of the Daimler AG, is a company, which provides the full range of the automobile sector: cars, trucks, buses, and luxury vehicles. The headquarter is located in Stuttgart, Germany. Perhaps, more than others, this company cultivates all the virtues, which are meant by the slogan " made in Germany ".
Legends are the Mercedes SSK, a racing car roadster from 1928, which was designed by Ferdinand Porsche, before he made up his own company.
Another legend is the the 300 SL Gullwing, which was produced in the 50ies.

Porsche was founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, a very qualified engineer. Although the company is most of all known for premium-class sports cars, Porsche also built tractors in former times. The headqarter is near Stuttgart, too (Zuffenhausen). Mainly the Porsche 911 series, built since 1964, stands for the feeling of "driving a Porsche", and has become a living legend.
During 2008 and 2009 Porsche tried to take control over Volkswagen, but failed. Today Porsche is integrated in the VW group.

The story of Volkswagen started in Nazi Germany. Hitler wanted a cheap car for the people, and so in 1937 the Volkswagen company was founded (in German: people = Volk; car = Wagen ). Together with the huge plants the city of Wolfsburg was founded, too, a complete town planned and built only for production and workers. Today Volkswagen is one of the biggest automakers in the world, with models mainly for the mass market. Legends? You all know it: the VW Beetle - der Käfer.

Worth to mention here is Audi, too. It is a company with a long tradition, and it has its own image. Meanwhile Audi belongs to Volkswagen AG (like Porsche and a remarkable number of other manufacturers), therefore confirming the efforts of VW to go for the worldwide "Number 1" car producers in the next years by displacing Toyota, which still has this position.

BMW ( Bayerische Motoren Werke ) is a German automaker in Munich. BMW was founded in 1913, and is known today as a manufacturer for premium class vehicles and motorcycles. While focussing on a similar market segment, BMW faces a permanent rivalry with Mercedes-Benz. BMW, however, has a more sporty image.

A legend is the BMW 507 TS, a roadster produced in the 50ies.

Opel is a german automaker, overtaken by General Motors in 1929. The company was founded in 1863, a long time before Carl Benz invented his "Motorwagen", however, not producing cars at that time, but sewing machines.
Today Opel is part of the GM group. In 2008 both Opel and GM suffered hard from he worldwide financial crisis, and Opel tried to become independent. A legend is the Opel Manta, which has a big fan community in Germany.