• 1995: World première for the Electronic Stability Program ESP®
• 1925: The famous trademark with the Mercedes star in the laurel wreath is created
• 1895: A few years after the invention of the automobile, Benz delivers the first bus
• 1900: The Mercedes brand name is introduced for DMG vehicles

As an innovation-driven brand, Mercedes-Benz is constantly reinventing the automobile. The company has been continuously setting standards and accompanying social change since 1886. Its history is correspondingly rich in events and stories. Here is a brief summary of some of the important anniversaries and milestones from its history.

6 February 1995 – 30 years ago

Mercedes-Benz introduced the Electronic Stability Program into series production

• Presentation of ESP® in the S-Class Coupé of the 140 model series in northern Sweden
• Milestone innovation for active safety
• ESP® in the Mercedes-Benz A-Class helps the system achieve a breakthrough in large-scale production

The Electronic Stability Program ESP® is a key invention in automotive engineering. It prevents the vehicle from skidding by selectively braking individual wheels and can therefore prevent accidents. This makes the vehicle easier to control in adverse road conditions. ESP® celebrated its world première in February 1995 in northern Sweden in the S-Class Coupés of the 140 model series. The comparison clearly shows that a luxury coupé equipped with ESP® is stable on a snow-covered road, while its counterpart without the assistance system constantly swerves. ESP® was a joint development by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch. The breakthrough in large-scale production came around three years later, with ESP® being introduced as standard in the revised A-Class in 1998. With this measure, Mercedes-Benz responded to the “elk test”. The introduction in the A-Class had a signalling effect: almost all car manufacturers followed the trend. 30 years after its invention, ESP® now keeps vigil in the background in most vehicles on the market to defuse dangerous driving situations at lightning speed.

18 February 1925 – 100 years ago

The Mercedes star in the laurel wreath – One of the world’s most recognisable trademarks is born

• Application to the patent office in the year before the merger of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft with Benz & Cie.
• Star and laurel wreath merge to form the new logo
• The emblem still adorns all vehicles of the brand today

Big events are often foreshadowed: in June 1926, the two oldest automobile companies in the world merged. Almost 100 years ago, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in Stuttgart (DMG) and Benz & Cie. in Mannheim merged to form Daimler-Benz AG with the new Mercedes-Benz brand. Preparations were already in full swing in 1925. This included the registration of a new joint trademark at the patent office on 18 February 1925; the signet with the three-pointed Mercedes star in the Benz laurel wreath graphically represented the merger. The history of both components: on 24 June 1909, DMG applied for utility model protection for the three-pointed star. It symbolises the use of the combustion engine for mobility on land, at sea and in the air. A little later, in August 1909, Benz & Cie. registered its name in a laurel wreath as a trademark. In May 1924, in difficult economic times, the two companies set the course for a merger and joined forces to form a syndicate. The new trademark in 1925 was an important intermediate step. The world-famous badge still adorns every Mercedes-Benz to this day.

18 March 1895 – 130 years ago:

The first motorised bus commutes on the Siegen–Netphen–Deuz route

• A distance of 15 kilometres with 7 kW (5 hp) engine output
• The eight-seater bus from Benz & Cie. replaces the horse-drawn carriage
• Around the turn of the century, several early public transport projects are launched

Alternative drive systems for buses and coaches are on the rise today, be it the fuel cell with hydrogen as an energy source or the battery-electric drive. 130 years ago, the petrol engine was an alternative drive system, and pioneering innovations shaped local public transport. Instead of a new horse-drawn carriage, “Netphener Omnibus-Gesellschaft” ordered a bus with a 3.7 kW engine (5 hp) from Benz & Cie. in Mannheim on 19 November 1894. On 18 March 1895, the eight-seat vehicle developed on the basis of the Benz Landauer set off for the first time on its 15-kilometre route through the economically up-and-coming region of Siegerland. As a pioneer in passenger transport, however, the bus was ahead of its time: demanding topography, challenging road conditions in winter and technical problems led the bus company to discontinue the line in December 1895. The triumphant advance of this new type of public transport was, of course, unstoppable. A decade later, on 1 June 1905, for example, the first German motorised post bus service in Upper Bavaria, known as the “Motorwagenlinie”, was inaugurated between Bad Tölz and Lenggries using Daimler buses. And 100 years ago, in June 1925, Benz & Cie. launched a new era in bus and coach construction with low-frame buses. The downwardly curved frame contributed to an unprecedented level of ride and boarding comfort.

2 April 1900 – 125 years ago

The Mercedes brand name is created in connection with the first modern automobile

• Emil Jellinek and DMG agree in Nice on the sale of vehicles not modelled on carriages
• The new engine is called “Daimler-Mercedes”
• Emil Jellinek’s daughter Mercédès is the namesake 

Luxury automobiles need a name that resonates: Emil Jellinek recognised this 125 years ago. The highly successful automotive businessman with a great understanding of technology, who lived in Vienna and Nice, intended to further enhance the market potential of the outstanding products of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). “Mercédès” had a special meaning for him, as his daughter, born in Vienna in 1889, bore this name. He liked the sound so much that he called an engine type developed by DMG according to his specifications “Daimler-Mercedes”. At the same time, he was calling for a new high-performance vehicle. It was also given the new name, and DMG delivered the first Mercedes 35 hp to Nice on 22 December 1900. Back then the DMG and Benz & Cie. were still separate companies. It took another 25 years until they began to merge to form the Daimler-Benz AG – and the two great brand names became the famous world brand Mercedes-Benz (see above “18 February 1925 – 100 years ago”). The Mercedes 35 hp consistently emancipated itself from the principle of a motorised horse-drawn carriage and is regarded as the first modern automobile: It was characterised by its low centre of gravity, long wheelbase, lightweight construction and honeycomb radiator. It was unbeatable in the “Nice Week” in March 1901, the most important international motorsport event at that time. The successes had a signalling effect: a Mercedes was considered the car of choice in high society. Consequently, DMG registered the name “Mercédès” as a trademark on 23 June 1902.