| CLA-Class ▷ | from $29,900 |
| C-Class ▷ | from $35,800 |
| GLK-Class ▷ | from $37,900 |
| SLK-Class ▷ | from $43,950 |
| M-Class ▷ | from $48,300 |
| E-Class ▷ | from $51,400 |
| GL-Class ▷ | from $63,600 |
| CLS-Class ▷ | from $72,100 |
| S-Class ▷ | from $94,400 |
| SL-Class ▷ | from $106,900 |
| G-Class ▷ | from $114,200 |
| CL-Class ▷ | from $116,600 |
| SLS-Class ▷ | from $221,580 |
Karl Benz created the first car powered by gas and patented it at the beginning of 1886. Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach added a gas engine to a stagecoach and successfully entered the racing circuit a little later in the same year. A wealthy businessman by the name of Emil Jellinek offered to purchase the Daimler-Maybach cars as long as they were named after his daughter, Mercedes. He also wanted to offer design modifications and to resell the cars in the greater European market.
In 1908, both Benz and Mercedes won the French Grand Prix, sharing the winnings. WWI had both manufacturers producing vehicles for the army. After the war, they struggled financially. In 1926, Benz & Cie merged with Motorengesellshaft (Daimler’s manufacturing company) to become Daimler-Benz. WWII forced the company to produce military vehicles again, but by 1946, Mercedes-Benz resumed passenger car creation.
In the 50s, Mercedes-Benz made sporty roadsters. Mercedes-Benz frequently developed the most innovative safety devices, such as crumple zones (1951), anti-lock brakes (1980), seat belt pre-tensioners (1981), traction control (1987), and electronic stability (2006). They willingly license these to competitors to improve the safety of all automobiles.
Overall, Mercedes-Benz ranks seventh in brand perception. They rank second for quality and innovation, and fourth for design. The S-Class, C-Classe, CLA-Class, SLS AMG, and M-Class are the most successful models.
Mercedes-Benz was built for the luxury segment and has dominated it with offerings from passenger cars to sports cars to SUVs and MPVs. Its limousines are especially popular among world leaders because they have bulletproof windows.
Daimler owns Mercedes-Benz. Daimler’s Board consists of a CEO, Chairman, Vice-Chairman and eighteen Directors. Beneath them are fifteen division board members and vice-presidents. Mercedes-Benz has one CEO with a vice-president, four division heads, and a member of the research and development team under him.
Mercedes-Benz U.S.A also has one CEO with two vice-presidents, a general manager and a diversity and inclusion officer under him. In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz has 2.0% of the market share. It sold 319,000 vehicles in 2013.
Last updated in August 2014. All prices were taken from the manufacturer's website. They're typically suggested retail prices (MSRPs) excluding tax, delivery, title, registration, license, dealer fees and optional equipment.
More car makes: Ford – Chevrolet – Toyota – Honda – Nissan – Hyundai – Dodge – Kia – Jeep – GMC – Subaru – Volkswagen