Karl Benz patents the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, generally regarded as the first true automobile.
Bertha Benz undertakes the first long-distance drive with her husband's car, which was crucial for public acceptance.
Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach establish their own automobile company in Cannstatt.
The name 'Mercedes' is used for a car for the first time, named after the daughter of businessman Emil Jellinek.
Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. merge into Daimler-Benz AG, giving rise to the Mercedes-Benz brand name.
Mercedes-Benz presents the iconic 300 SL with its striking upward-opening gullwing doors.
Mercedes-Benz patents the crumple zone, a fundamental breakthrough in car safety.
Mercedes-Benz introduces the EQC, the first fully electric model in the new EQ product line.
The company presents a strategy to sell only electric vehicles from 2030 onward, where market conditions allow.
Future outlook: Mercedes-Benz becomes a leading brand in fully autonomous, climate-neutral luxury vehicles with integrated AI systems.
On 29 January 1886, Karl Benz received patent DRP-37435 for his 'vehicle powered by a gas engine.' This three-wheeled vehicle with a single-cylinder engine is seen as the birth of the automobile. The image shows a wooden three-wheeled vehicle with exposed mechanics on a cobblestone street in Mannheim, with Karl Benz standing beside it in 19th-century attire.