Mercedes Benz Essay

Mercedes-Benz (German pronunciation: [mÉ›Ê Ã‹Ë†tÍ ¡seË dÉ™s ˈbÉ›ntÍ ¡s]) is a multinational division of the German manufacturer Daimler AG, and the brand is used for luxury automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Wà ¼rttemberg, 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 automobile. Mercedes-Benz’s slogan is â€Å"Das Beste oder nichts† (English: â€Å"The best or nothing†). Mercedes-Benz is part of the â€Å"German Big 3† luxury automakers, along with Audi and BMW, which are the three best selling luxury automakers in the world.[1][2] Contents [hide] Karl Benz made the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen, which is widely regarded as the first automobile, in Mannheim, Germany Mercedes-Benz traces its origins to Karl Benz’s creation of the first petrol-powered car, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, patented in January 1886[3] 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.[3] 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 multiple of 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. Mercedes-Benz has introduced many technological and safety innovations that later became common in other vehicles.[4] Mercedes-Benz is one of the best known and established automotive brands in the world, and is also the world’s oldest automotive brand still in existence today. 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[edit source | editbeta] As part of the Daimler AG company, the Mercedes-Benz Cars division includes Mercedes-Benz and Smart car production.[5] Mercedes-AMG[edit source | editbeta] Mercedes-AMG became a majority owned division of Mercedes-Benz in 1998.[6] The company was integrated into DaimlerChrysler in 1999,[7] and became Mercedes-Benz AMG beginning on 1 January 1999.[8] Mercedes-Benz McLaren[edit source | editbeta] Between 2003 and 2009, Mercedes-Benz produced a limited-production sports car with McLaren Cars. The resulting Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was an extension of the collaboration by which Mercedes engines are used by the Team McLaren-Mercedes Formula One racing team, which was then part owned by Mercedes. McLaren ceased production of the SLR in 2009 and went on to develop its own car, the McLaren MP4-12C, launched in 2011. Maybach[edit source | editbeta] Daimler’s ultra-luxury brand Maybach was under Mercedes-Benz cars division until 2013, when the production stopped due to poor sales volumes. Production[edit source | editbeta] Factories[edit source | editbeta] Besides its native Germany, Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also manufactured or assembled in: Argentina – manufactures buses, trucks and the Sprinter van. This is the first Mercedes-Benz factory outside of Germany. Built in 1951.[9] Austria (G-Class)[10] Bosnia and Herzegovina Brazil[11] – 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 China Egypt via Egyptian German Automotive Company Hungary[12] India (Pune)[13] India, Chennai (Daimler India Commercial Vehicle ) – Trucks & Engine Manufacturing unit India, Bangalore (R&D) Indonesia[14] Iran (not since 2010[15]) Malaysia[16] Mexico – (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[17] – assembly of buses, trucks, utility motors and the Sprinter van Philippines Russia – 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. Spain – factory at Vitoria-Gasteiz, Mercedes-Benz Vito, Viano and V-Class have been built there. South Africa[18] South Korea – Mercedes-Benz Musso and MB100 models manufactured by SsangYong Motor Company. Thailand – assembly of C, E and S class vehicles by the Thonburi Group[19] Turkey (Mercedes-Benz Tà ¼rk A.Åž.)[20] United Kingdom – 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 – the Mercedes-Benz M-Class Sport Utility, the R-Class Sport Tourer, 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.[21] Trucks (6,000 per year in the late seventies) were once assembled in Hampton, VA.[22] Vietnam – assembly of passenger cars and commercial vehicles. Established in 1995.[23] Jordan : buses company factory Elba House, Amman . Quality rankings[edit source | editbeta] 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.[24] 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.[25] For 2008, Mercedes-Benz’s initial quality rating improved by yet another mark, to fourth place.[26] On top of this accolade, it also received the Platinum Plant Quality Award for its Mercedes’ Sindelfingen, Germany assembly plant.[26] J. D. Power’s 2011 US Initial Quality and Vehicle Dependability Studies both ranked Mercedes-Benz vehicles above average in build quality and reliability.[27][28] In the 2011 UK J. D. Power Survey, Mercedes cars rated above average.[29] Models[edit source | editbeta] Mercedes-Benz A-Class (compact) Mercedes-Benz C-Class (D-segment) Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (4-door coupà ©) Mercedes-Benz E-Class (Executive car) Mercedes-Benz S-Class (luxury sedan) Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (sportscar) Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series (supercar) Mercedes-Benz M-Class (luxury SUV) Current model range[edit source | editbeta] Mercedes-Benz carries a full range of passenger, light commercial and heavy commercial equipment. Vehicles are manufactured in multiple countries worldwide. The Smart marque of city cars and Maybach luxury cars are also produced by Daimler AG. Models: A-Class – Hatchback B-Class – Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) C-Class – Saloon, Estate & Coupà © CL-Class – Luxury Coupà © CLA-Class – 4 Door Coupà © CLS-Class – 4 Door Coupà © E-Class – Saloon, Estate, Coupà © and Cabriolet G-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) GL-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) GLA-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) GLK-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) M-Class – Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) R-Class – Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) S-Class – Luxury Sedan SL-Class – Roadster SLK-Class – Roadster SLS AMG – Coupà © and Roadster Viano – Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) Citan – Mini MPV Trucks[edit source | editbeta] 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.[30] Buses[edit source | editbeta] 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. Limousines[edit source | editbeta] The Mercedes-Benz 600 or 600S Pullman Guard limousines offer a â€Å"bulletproof† option and have been used by diplomats worldwide.[31] Vans[edit source | editbeta] Mercedes-Benz Sprinter used as a police bus Mercedes-Benz Viano Mercedes-Benz produces a range of vans including the Mercedes-Benz Vito, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Vario. In 2012 it announced the Mercedes-Benz Citan, a version of the Renault Kangoo. 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.[citation needed] Significant models produced[edit source | editbeta] 1928: SSK racing car 1930: 770 â€Å"Großer Mercedes† state and ceremonial car 1934: 500 K 1936: 260 D World’s first diesel production car 1936: 170 1938: W195 Speed Record-breaker 1951: Mercedes-Benz 300, knownly as â€Å"Adenauer Mercedes† 1953: â€Å"Ponton† models 1954: 300SL â€Å"Gullwing† 1959: â€Å"Fintail† models 1960: 220SE Cabriolet[disambiguation needed] 1963: 600 â€Å"Grand Mercedes† 1963: 230SL â€Å"Pagoda† 1965: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 1966: 300SEL 6.3 1968: W114 â€Å"new generation† compact cars 1969: C111 experimental vehicle 1972: Mercedes-Benz W107 350SL 1974: 450SEL 6.9 1975: Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon – Mercedes’ first station wagon 1978: 300SD – Mercedes’ first turbo diesel 1979: 500SEL and G-Class 1983: 190E 2.3–16 1990: 500E 1991: 600SEL 1995: First ‘Joint Mercedes-Benz & AMG’ (C43 AMG) 1995: Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG, 7.3 V12 (biggest engine ever put in a Mercedes-Benz) 1996: Mercedes-Benz SLK 1997: Mercedes-Benz A-Class and M-Class 2004: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren and CLS-Class 2007: E320, GL320 Bluetec, ML320 Bluetec, R320 Bluetec 2010: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Car nomenclature[edit source | editbeta] Until 1994, Mercedes-Benz used an alphanumeric system for categorising 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. â€Å"C† indicates a coupe or cabriolet body style. â€Å"D† indicates the vehicle is equipped with a diesel engine.†E† (for â€Å"Einspritzung†) indicates the vehicle’s engine is equipped with petrol fuel injection. In most cases (the 600 limousine being the exception), if neither â€Å"E† or â€Å"D† is present, the vehicle has a petrol engine with a carburettor. â€Å"G† indicates the Gelà ¤ndewagen off-road vehicle. â€Å"K† was used in the 1930s, indicating a supercharger (â€Å"Kompressor†) equipped engine. One exception is the SSK, where K indicates â€Å"Kurz† (short-wheelbase). â€Å"L† indicates â€Å"Leicht† (lightweight) for sporting models, and â€Å"Lang† (long-wheelbase) for sedan models. â€Å"R† indicates â€Å"Rennen† (racing), used for racing cars (for example, the 300SLR). â€Å"S† Sonderklasse â€Å"Special class† for flagship models. â€Å"T† indicates â€Å"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 â€Å"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 â€Å"classes† denoted by an arrangement of up to three letters (see â€Å"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 and SLS supercars do not carry a numerical designation. Today, many numerical designations no longer reflects the engine’s actual displacement but more of the relative performance and marketing position. Despite its engine displacement in two litres, the motor in A45 AMG produces more than 375 horsepowers so the designation is higher as to indicate the higher 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 perspectives, E200 seems more â€Å"upscale† than E180. Recent AMG models use the â€Å"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: â€Å"4MATIC† indicates the vehicle is equipped with all-wheel-drive. â€Å"BlueTEC† indicates a diesel engine with selective catalytic reduction exhaust aftertreatment. â€Å"BlueEFFICIENCY† indicates special fuel economy features (direct injection, start-stop system, aerodynamic modifications, etc.) â€Å"CGI† (Charged Gasoline Injection) indicates direct gasoline injection. â€Å"CDI† (Common-rail Direct Injection) indicates a common-rail diesel engine. â€Å"Hybridâ⠂¬  indicates a gasoline- or diesel-electric hybrid. â€Å"NGT† indicates a natural gas-fueled engine. â€Å"Kompressor† indicates a supercharged engine. â€Å"Turbo† indicates a turbocharged engine, only used on A-, B-,E- and GLK-Class models. All model designation badges can be deleted upon the c