If you ask a person to name the most famous and respectable car in Europe, in 90% the answer would be Mercedes. It is known by German quality and smart design.
In many European countries businessman now choose classic Mercedes as the leading vehicle. Before we talk about new developments in car industry, and in particular developments which were made by producers of this outstanding car - classic mercedes, let us turn back a little and look at the history.
Concern, which now producing classic Mercedes, has rather long history. It all started in 19th century, when two people were born in southern Germany. The first man's name was Gottlieb Daimler and the second was Carl Benz who were born only 60 miles apart. Daimler was born March 17, 1834. A decade later, on November 25, Carl Benz was born. Both boys, as it is known, were really fascinated by machines from an early age. And it is the only thing they had in common.
Their approach to building cars was quite different, and it is doubtful, that they met or even knew what the other was doing. Their careers were developing separately.
Carl Benz built a motorized tricycle in 1886. At that time Gottlieb Daimler literally built a horseless carriage. Daimler then made a business deal with William Steinway to produce Daimler's products in the US. It happened in 1888. What about Benz, in 893 he built his first four-wheeler, which was named the Victoria. The first model of car to the mass production was the 1894 Benz Velo, which participated in the first recorded car race, the Paris-Rouen race. In 1895, Benz built his first truck.
We should notice that from 1904 until a fire in 1907, Steinway produced Mercedes passenger cars, Daimler's light trucks, and his engines on Long Island. What is interesting, Daimler, who is generally considered to be the father of modern automobiles, never liked to drive. And what is more, we even don't know, if he ever learned to drive. On March 6, 1990, Daimler died, leaving control of his company to his chief engineer Wilhelm Mayback.
The two companies were rivals for quite a long time. In the beginning of 20th century Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschat had produced a special car for Emil Jellinek. Jellinek named the car after his ten-year-old daughter Mercedes. Lighter and smaller, the new Mercedes had 35 hp and a top speed of 55 mph! The 1903 Parsifil was Benz's answer to Mercedes. A two cylinder vertical engine produced a top speed of 37 mph in this car. Both Daimler and Benz entered many racings.
However, up until 1908, Daimler had overshadowed Benz in racing endeavors. At the 1908 French Grand Prix, Benz took second and third place behind Lautenschlager driving a Mercedes. From that point on, both Benz and Daimler did well in racing. After the World War I the situation in post-war Germany was very serous. In this conditions Benz had to seek a strong partner. The only one the board considered worthy of Benz and Cie was DMG. In 1924, from sheer economic necessity, Benz and DMG signed an "Agreement of Mutual Interest." Although both companies retained their identities, the agreement was valid until the year 2000. The two companies merged with relative ease on June 28, 1926.
Nowadays, the company Mercedes-Benz is developing successfully. Not long ago new technology was announced by the representatives of the company. It is the world-leading technology from Mercedes-Benz, which helps business users save on tax and running costs. There are listed some more details. This technology is useful only for Mercedes Benz diesel. And it is the only disadvantage it has.
Company car drivers of Euro IV specification diesel engines have been enjoying a benefit in kind (BIK) tax saving of three per cent. However, this will stop with the reintroduction of the three per cent diesel surcharge on 1st January 2006. But as hundreds of Mercedes-Benz CDI drivers have found out in the last month alone, this tax rise is one that can be beaten - and with the bonus of complimentary benefits which include Euro IV engine, trim and specification upgrades to a 2006 model Mercedes-Benz. So why business people choose classic Mercedes? I hope now you know zhe answer.