Mercedes-Benz is a manufacturer of various vehicles and vehicle parts, from automobiles, buses, and trucks to motors, radiators, and headlights. Founded in 1886 in Germany, the first automobile by Mercedes-Benz to appear publicly in Canada was at the Canadian National Exhibition in the 1950s.^[1] Since then, the company has established many dealership sites in Canada. Internationally, its reputation has grown to become one of the top brand names in luxury vehicles and vehicle parts in the world today.

Contents 1 History 2 The Company Today 3 Equipment List 4 References

[edit] History

Karl Benz built what is considered the first real automobile—according to the Mercedes-Benz company—in 1886, named the Benz Patent Motor Car. Fifteen years later Gottlieb Daimler manufactured the first Mercedes, named after the daughter of Emil Jellinek, the commissioner of the vehicle.^[2] In 1926 the companies merged to become Daimler-Benz AG, creating the brand name for the Mercedes-Benz vehicles and vehicle parts.

The company began to manufacture high-quality material immediately, including its specially designed engines, customized to travel land, air, and sea. This three-point application was the inspiration for the three-pointed star wreathed in a laurel, which has been the brand’s logo since its establishment.^[3]

Soon after Mercedes-Benz arrived in Canada for the Toronto exhibition in August 1954, numerous retail stores were opened within the same decade across the nation, including the two longest-running independent Canadian dealerships of Mercedes-Benz vehicles found in Ottawa, Ontario and St-Hyacinthe, Quebec.^[4]

The new "tailfin" bodywork for Mercedes-Benz vehicles was introduced in 1959 as applied to the 220 B model. Other motor vehicle applications were developed for Mercedes-Benz’ product line-up every decade. In the 1960s this included air suspension, which fit into the design of the new four-speed automatic transmission and power-steered 300 SE. The first five-cylinder diesel engine vehicle to be produced in Canada was the 1974 Mercedes-Benz 240 D 3.0.^[5]

Mercedes-Benz was inspired to begin designing racing engines in 1995 when it joined with AMG for the development of the C36 AMG. At this point the company began to expand its focus on performance, as its vehicles participated in a number of Formula-1 events.^[6] Mercedes-Benz returned to comfort and convenience in its design focus in the 2000s, as it continued to produce luxury vehicles such as the 2007 S-Class. This line was built with an enhanced COMAND system and Night View Assist technology. Their engines ranged from V-8 to V-12.^[7]

[edit] The Company Today

Mercedes-Benz is now one of the world’s largest developers of industrial and commercial vehicles.^[8] These include trucks, vans, buses, coaches, and other large vehicles. It is still a division of Daimler AG, the parent company to both Daimler and Mercedes-Benz motor vehicles.^[9]

[edit] Equipment List

• Automobile
• Bus
• Coach
• Diesel engine
• Dump truck
• Engine
• Sprayer
• Truck
• Unimog
• Van

[edit] References

1. ↑ Edmunds website. April 27, 2009.
2. ↑ Edmunds website. April 27, 2009.
3. ↑ Edmunds website. April 27, 2009.
4. ↑ Mercedes-Benz Canada website. April 27, 2009.
5. ↑ Mercedes-Benz Canada website. April 27, 2009.
6. ↑ Mercedes-Benz Canada website. April 27, 2009.
7. ↑ Mercedes-Benz Canada website. April 27, 2009.
8. ↑ Autohaus Arizona website. April 27, 2009.
9. ↑ Mercedes-Benz UK website. April 27, 2009.