German Car Zone

Hi Mercedes-Benz fans after the feedback we've had with the Volkswagen & Audi FAQ Threads I plan on making one for Mercedes-Benz Lounge.

Now I need your help in what you would like in the Mercedes-Benz FAQ ?

So far I'll add
-Shareholder structure
-What Companies Mercedes-Benz owns > Links of all these companies (worldwide home sites)
-a little background history

If you have any additions please add to this forum.

Thanks phaeton

PM me if you wish

Good idea, Phaeton.

Another good topic would be Mercedes-Benz Chassis Codes (W123, C107, A209 etc.). Let me take care of that one once you have the FAQ section posted.

Thanks Christian

Heres what I have so far......

Who owns Mercedes-Benz ?
Mercedes-Benz is owned by the Daimler-Chrysler Group

Shareholder Structure
in % of registered capital stock 12/31/2005

by Region

Germany 47.5%
Europe, without Germany 26.7%
USA 16.5%
Others 9.3%

Total 100.0%

by Ownership

Shareholders exceeding 5%
Emirate of Kuwait 7,2%

Free Float 92.8%
Institutional Investors 70.4%
Private Investors 22.4%

Total 100.0%


Links of Interest

Daimler-Chrysler International Site http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
Mercedes-Benz International Site http://www.mercedes-benz.com/content...te/en/com.html
Maybach Manufaktur International Site http://www.maybach-manufaktur.com/index.htm
smart International Site http://www.smart.com/


Brief History still to come............


History

The origins of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the Three Pointed Star.

A company's brand name and trademark are symbolic. They embrace everything - the products, the services and the company itself. It is the customers' and the public's first point of reference. Its origins and history are therefore every bit as revealing and interesting as its current status on the market.


Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz were two great engineers and company founders who never actually met. In the beginning of the eighteen eighties they built the world's first lightweight high speed engine and the first motor vehicles, thus laying the foundations for motorised transport. Both men founded their own companies individually, Benz in 1883 and Daimler in 1890, however as demand grew both at home and abroad, they gradually expanded their sales network to match.

Each company needed a memorable trademark to publicise their products. Initially the name of the inventors themselves, 'Benz' and 'Daimler', vouched for the origin and quality of the engines and vehicles. But while Benz & Cie in Mannheim kept the original name in their trademark, a completely new and unusual brand name, "Mercedes", was brought out just after the turn of the century for the products of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in Cannstatt.

The 3-Pointed Star

In 1902, the name 'Mercedes' was officially registered, but still a suitable trademark was required. Daimler had died in 1900 but his two sons, now managers of their father's company, remembered a postcard that Daimler had once sent to his wife on which a star marked the house where he was living in Deutz. He had commented that this star would rise and shine out over his work.

In 1909 a three pointed star was registered as a trademark and placed on the front of the car as a radiator emblem. Over the years, the star, which was also intended to symbolise the modernisation of transport on land, water and in the air, acquired various additions and refinements.

The period after the First World War, with inflation and sluggish sales, took a heavy toll on the German motor industry. The pioneering companies Daimler and Benz, which in the meantime had become internationally famous, formed an association of common interest in 1924 in an effort to combat this.

The aim of this alliance was to standardise the design and manufacture of their products, and to team up on purchasing, sales and advertising. Although the companies carried out joint advertising, they still used separate trademarks.

In 1926, the two oldest auto firms merged to form one company, Daimler-Benz AG.

The Mercedes star has become a symbol of quality and safety and the name 'Mercedes-Benz' is a byword all over the world for both tradition and innovation.

Who was Mercedes?

Why was this name chosen? Mercedes is a Spanish name meaning 'grace'.

Mercedes was also the name of a pretty young girl born in 1889 in Vienna and the favourite daughter of the Austrian businessman and consul, General Emil Jellinek, who lived in Nice.



Forward looking and sportily inclined, Jellinek was enthusiastic about the dawn of the motoring age and believed that the motor car was of major importance for the future. In 1897, Jellinek had already made a special journey to Cannstatt. He visited the Daimler factory and brought back a car to the French Riviera which caused quite a stir.

Jellinek was a big figure in society and had good relations with the international world and aristocracy, it was not long before prospective buyers and distinguished customers were taking an interest in Daimler cars. In 1899, Jellinek entered a 23hp Daimler racing car in the 'Tour de Nice' under the pseudonym 'Mercedes'. It promptly won first prize.

The next year, a fatal accident took place during a hill-climb race and, at the instigation of Emil Jellinek and supported by Wilhelm Maybach, Daimler's brilliant designer, it was decided to adopt a new design with larger wheelbase, lower centre of gravity and more powerful engine.

Jellinek, convinced that this new design would be a big hit on the market, ordered 36 cars with a total value of 550,000 gold marks, on the condition that he be made sole agent for the sales of these cars in certain countries. Daimler agreed and also accepted Jellinek's proposal to name the cars after his daughter 'Mercedes'. The name caught on so well that soon it was used for all Daimler vehicles. The triumphs of the first Mercedes racing car in 1901 were hailed by contemporaries as the start of the 'Mercedes era' in vehicle design and motor sport.
Thanks to www.mercedes-benz.com.au for the History


Any feedback is Welcome

Excellent. I added a photo of the beautiful little Maria de las Mércédès Jellinek and added in her date of birth and death.

Here's a little something I was working on last night. Boy this was exhausting.


Mercedes-Benz Chassis Codes (Post World War II)

W = Sedan
S = Estate
C = Coupé
A = Convertible
R = Roadster


SEDANS & COUPES

W136 / W191 (1946-1955)

W136
Petrol Models: 170V, 170Va, 170Vb, 170S-V, 170S
Diesel Models: 170D, 170Da, 170Db, 170S-D


W191
Petrol Models: 170Sb
Diesel Models: 170DS


W191 Coupe
Petrol Models: 170V
Diesel Models: None



W186 / W189 (1951-1962) "S-Class"

W186
Petrol Models: 300, 300b, 300c
Diesel Models: None


W187
Petrol Models: 220
Diesel Models: None


W188
Petrol Models: 300S, 300Sc
Diesel Models: None


W189 "Adenauer Mercedes"
Petrol Models: 300d
Diesel Models: None



W120 / W121 / W105 / W180 (1953-1962) "Ponton"

W120
Petrol Models: 180, 180a, 180b
Diesel Models: 180D, 180Db, 180Dc


W121
Petrol Models: 190, 190b,
Diesel Models: 190D


W121 B (190SL)
Petrol Models: 1.9-l 4-cyl.
Diesel Models: None


W128 (220S)
Petrol Models: 2.2-l 4-cyl.
Diesel Models: None


W105 / W180
Petrol Models: 219 (W105), 220a, 220S, 220SE
Diesel Models: None



W198 (1954-1963) "Gullwing"

W198 Coupe
Engine: 3.0 Inline-6


W198 Roadster
Engine: 3.0 Inline-6



W111 / W112 (1959-1971) "Heckflosse" "S-Class"

W111
Petrol Models: 220b, 220Sb, 220SEb, 230S
Diesel Models: None


W112
Petrol Models: 300SE
Diesel Models: None


W111/3 / W112/3 Coupe & Convertible
Petrol Models: 220SEb, 250SE, 300SE, 280SE, 280SE 3.5
Diesel Models: None



W110 (1961-1968) "Heckflosse" "E-Class"

W110
Petrol Models: 190c, 200, 230
Diesel Models: 190Dc, 200D



W100 (1963-1981) "600 Pullman"

W100
Petrol Models: 6.3-l V8 (M100)
Diesel Models: NONE




W108 / W109 (1965-1972) "S-Class"

W108
Petrol Models: 250S, 250SE, 280S, 280SE (SEL), 280SE 3.5 (SEL), 300SEb
Diesel Models: NONE


W109
Petrol Models: 300SEL, 300SEL 3.5, 300SEL 6.3
Diesel Models: NONE



W113 (1963-1971) "Pagoda SL"

W113
Petrol Models: 230SL, 250SL, 280SL
Diesel Models: NONE



W114 / W115 (1967-1976) "E-Class"

W114 / W115
Petrol Models: 200, 220, 230.4, 230/8 (230.6), 230/8 (230.6) lang, 250, 280, 280E
Diesel Models: 200D, 220D, 220D lang, 240D, 240D lang, 240D 3.0


W114 Coupes
Petrol Models: 250C, 250CE, 280C, 280CE
Diesel Models: NONE



W116 (1972-1980) "S-Class"

W116
Petrol Models: 280S, 280SE (SEL), 350SE (SEL), 450SE (SEL), 450SEL 6.9
Diesel Models: 300SD Turbodiesel (North America only)



R107 (1971-1989) "SL-Class"

R107
Petrol Models: 280SL, 380SL, 450SL, 500SL, 560SL (North America and Australia only), 350SL, 420SL
Diesel Models: None



C107 (1974-1981) "S-Class Coupe"

C107
Petrol Models: 280SLC, 350SLC, 380SLC, 450SLC, 450SLC 5.0, 500SLC
Diesel Models: None



W123 (1976-1985) "E-Class"

W123
Petrol Models: 200 (M115), 200 (M102), 230, 230E, 250, 280, 280E
Diesel Models: 200D, 220D, 240D, 300D, 300D Turbodiesel (North America only)


S123
Petrol Models: 200T (M102), 230T, 230TE, 250T, 280TE
Diesel Models: 240TD, 300TD, 300TD Turbodiesel


C123
Petrol Models: 230C, 230CE, 280C, 280CE
Diesel Models: 300CD Diesel, 300CD Turbodiesel (North America only)



W201 (1982-1993) "190-Series"

W201
Petrol Models: 190 (carburated), 190E 1.8, 190E, 190E 2.0, 190E 2.3, 190E 2.6, 190E 2.3-16, 190E 2.5-16, 190E 2.5-16 Evolution, 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II
Diesel Models: 190D (2.0), 190D 2.2, 190D 2.5, 190D 2.5 Turbo



W126 (1979-1993) "S-Class"

W126
Petrol Models: 280S, 280SE (SEL), 380SE (SEL), 500SE (SEL), 260SE, 300SE (SEL), 420SE (SEL), 560SE (SEL)
Diesel Models: 300SD Turbodiesel (SDL), 350SD Turbodiesel (SDL) (North America only)



C126 (1980-1990) "S-Class Coupe"

C126
Petrol Models: 380SEC, 420SEC, 500SEC, 560SEC
Diesel Models: None



W124 (1985-1996) "E-Class"

W124
Petrol Models: 200, 200E (E200), 230E, 260E, 260E lang, 260E 4Matic, 280E, 280E lang, 300E, 300E 4Matic (E300 4Matic), 300E-24, 320E (E320), 400E (E420), 500E (E500), E60 AMG
Diesel Models: 200D, E200 Diesel, 250D, 250D lang, E250 Diesel, 300D, 300D 4Matic, 300D Turbo, 300D Turbo 4Matic, E300 Turbodiesel, E300 Turbodiesel 4Matic


S124
Petrol Models: 200T, 200TE, 220TE (E220T), 230TE, 280TE, 300TE, 300TE 4Matic, 320TE (E320T), E36 AMG T
Diesel Models: 200TD, 250TD, E250 Diesel T, 300TD, E300 Diesel T, 300TD Turbo, 300D Turbo 4Matic, E300 Turbodiesel T, E300 Turbodiesel 4Matic T


C124
Petrol Models: 200CE (E200C), 220CE (E220C), 230CE, 300CE-24, 320CE, (E320C), E36 AMG C
Diesel Models: NONE


A124
Petrol Models: E200Ca, E220Ca, E320Ca, E36 AMG C
Diesel Models: NONE



R129 (1989-2001) "SL-Class"

R129
Petrol Models: SL280, 300SL, 300SL-24, SL320, 500SL (SL500), 600SL (SL600), SL55 AMG, SL60 AMG, SL73 AMG
Diesel Models: None



W140 (1991-1998) "S-Class"

W140
Petrol Models: 300SE 2.8 (S280), 300SE (S320), 300SE (S320) lang, 400SE (SEL) (S420), 500SE (SEL) (S500), 500SE (SEL) (S500) lang, 600SE (SEL), S500 / S600 Pullman, S500 Landaulet
Diesel Models: 300SD Turbodiesel, S350 Turbodiesel, S300 Turbodiesel



C140 (1992-1998) "CL-Class"

C140
Petrol Models: S420 Coupe (CL420), 500SEC (S500 Coupe / CL500), 600SEC (S600 Coupe / CL600)
Diesel Models: None



W202 (1993-2000) "C-Class"

W202
Petrol Models: C180, C200, C200 Kompressor, C220, C230, C240, C280, C36 AMG, C43 AMG, C55 AMG
Diesel Models: C200 Diesel, C220 Diesel, C250 Diesel, C250 Turbodiesel, C220 CDI


S202
Petrol Models: C180T, C200T, C200 Kompressor T, C230 T, C240 T, C280 T, C43 AMG T, C55 AMG T
Diesel Models: C220 Diesel T, C250 Turbodiesel T, C200 CDI T, C220 CDI T



W210 (1995-2002) "E-Class"

W210
Petrol Models: E200, E200 Kompressor, E230, E240, E280, E280 4Matic, E320, E320 lang, E320 4matic, E420, E430, E430 4Matic, E50 AMG, E55 AMG, E55 AMG 4Matic
Diesel Models: E220 Diesel, E250 Diesel, E290 Turbodiesel, E300 Diesel, E300 Turbodiesel, E200 CDI, E220 CDI, E270 CDI, E320 CDI


S210
Petrol Models: E200T, E200 Kompressor T, E230T, E240T, E280 T, E280 4Matic T, E320 T, E320 4matic T, E420T, E430 T, E430 4Matic T, E55 AMG T, E55 AMG 4Matic
Diesel Models: E250 Diesel T, E290 Turbodiesel T, E300 Turbodiesel T, E220 CDI T, E270 CDI T, E320 CDI T



R170 (1996-2004) "SLK-Class"

R170
Petrol Models: SLK200, SLK200 Kompressor, SLK230 Kompressor, SLK320, SLK32 AMG
Diesel Models: None



W168 (1997-2004) "A-Class"

W168
Petrol Models: A140, A140 Automatik, A160, A190, A210 Evolution
Diesel Models: A160 Turbodiesel, A160 CDI, A170 Turbodiesel, A170 CDI,



C208 (1997-2003) "CLK-Class"

C208
Petrol Models: CLK200, CLK200 Kompressor, CLK230 Kompressor, CLK320, CLK430, CLK55 AMG
Diesel Models: None


A208
Petrol Models: CLK200, CLK200 Kompressor, CLK230 Kompressor, CLK320, CLK430, CLK55 AMG
Diesel Models: None



W220 (1997-2005) "S-Class"

W220
Petrol Models: S280 (RHD markets only), S320, S430, S430 4Matic, S500, S500 4Matic, S600 (N/A), S55 AMG (N/A), S63 AMG, S350 (3.7 V6), S600 (Biturbo), S65 AMG
Diesel Models: S320 CDI (3.2-l I6), S400 CDI, S320 CDI (3.0 V6)


C215 (1999-2006) "CL-Class"

C215
Petrol Models: CL500, CL600, CL55 AMG, CL63 AMG, CL600 Biturbo, CL55 AMG (Kompressor), CL65 AMG
Diesel Models: None



W203 (2000-2006) "C-Class"

W203
Petrol Models: C180, C180 Kompressor, C200 Kompressor, C240, C240 4Matic, C320, C320 4Matic, C32 AMG, C230, C280, C280 4Matic, C55 AMG
Diesel Models: C200 CDI, C220 CDI, C270 CDI, C30 CDI AMG, C320 CDI


S203
Petrol Models: C180 Kompressor T, C200 Kompressor T, C240 T, C240 4Matic T, C320 T, C320 4Matic T, C32 AMG T, C230 T, C280 T, C280 4Matic T, C55 AMG T
Diesel Models: C200 CDI T, C220 CDI T, C270 CDI T, C30 CDI AMG T, C320 CDI T


C203
Petrol Models: C160, C180 Kompressor, C200 Kompressor, C230 Kompressor, C320, C230 (V6), C350
Diesel Models: C200 CDI,C220 CDI, C30 CDI AMG



R230 (2001-2012) "SL-Class"

R230
Petrol Models: SL350 (3.7 V6), SL500 (5.0 V8), SL600, SL55 AMG, SL65 AMG, SL350 (3.5 V6), SL550 (5.4 V8)
Diesel Models: None



W211 (2002-200X) "E-Class"

W211
Petrol Models: E200 NGT, E200 Kompressor, E240, E240 4Matic, E320, E320 4Matic, E500, E500 4Matic, E55 AMG, E280, E280 4Matic, E350, E350 4Matic, E550, E63 AMG
Diesel Models: E200 CDI, E220 CDI, E270 CDI, E280 CDI (2.7-l CLEAN), E320 CDI (3.2-l I6), E400 CDI, E280 CDI, E320 CDI (3.0 V6), E420 CDI


S211
Petrol Models: E200 Kompressor, E240 T, E240 4Matic T, E320 T, E320 4Matic T, E500 T, E500 4Matic T, E55 AMG T, E280 T, E280 4Matic T, E350 T, E350 4Matic T, E63 AMG T
Diesel Models: E220 CDI T, E270 CDI T, E280 CDI T (2.7-l CLEAN), E320 CDI T (3.2-l I6), E280 CDI T, E280 CDI 4Matic T, E320 CDI T (3.0 V6), E320 CDI 4Matic T



C209 (2002-200X) "CLK-Class"

C209
Petrol Models: CLK200 CGI, CLK200 Kompressor, CLK240, CLK320, CLK500, CLK55 AMG, CLK-DTM AMG, CLK280, CLK350, CLK550, CLK63 AMG
Diesel Models: CLK270 CDI, CLK220 CDI, CLK320 CDI


A209
Petrol Models: CLK200 CGI, CLK200 Kompressor, CLK240, CLK320, CLK500, CLK55 AMG, CLK280, CLK350, CLK550, CLK63 AMG
Diesel Models: CLK320 CDI



C199 (2003-200X) "SLR"

C199
Petrol Models: SLR, SLR 722
Diesel Models: None



W169 (2004-200X) "A-Class"

W169
Petrol Models: A150, A170, A200, A200 Turbo
Diesel Models: A160 CDI, A180 CDI, A200 CDI



C219 (2004-200X) "CLS-Class"

C219
Petrol Models: CLS350, CLS350 CGI, CLS500, CLS55 AMG, CLS550, CLS63 AMG
Diesel Models: CLS320 CDI, CLS420 CDI



R171 (2004-200X) "SLK-Class"

R171
Petrol Models: SLK200 Kompressor, SLK280, SLK350, SLK55 AMG
Diesel Models: None



W245 (2005-200X) "B-Class"

W245
Petrol Models: B150, B170, B200, B200 Turbo
Diesel Models: B160 CDI, B180 CDI, B200 CDI



W221 (2005-200X) "S-Class"

W221
Petrol Models: S350, S550, S600, S63 AMG, S65 AMG
Diesel Models: S320 CDI, S420 CDI



W251 (2005-200X) "R-Class"

W251
Petrol Models: R350, R500, R63 AMG
Diesel Models: R280 CDI, R320 CDI




SUV's

W460 / W461 (1979-2001) "G-Class"

W460 / W461
Petrol Models: 200GE, 230G, 230GE
Diesel Models: 240GD, 250GD, 290GD, 290GD Turbo, 300GD



W463 (1989-200X) "G-Class"

W463
Petrol Models: 200GE (G200), 230GE (G230), 300GE (G300), G320, 500GE V8, G500, G55 AMG (N/A), G55 AMG Kompressor
Diesel Models: 250GD, 300GD (G300 Diesel), 350GD Turbodiesel (G350 Turbodiesel), G300 Turbodiesel, G270 CDI, G400 CDI



W163 (1997-2005) "M-Class"

W163
Petrol Models: ML230, ML320, ML350, ML430, ML500, ML55 AMG
Diesel Models: ML270 CDI, ML400 CDI



W164 (2005-200X) "M-Class"

W164
Petrol Models: ML350, ML500, ML63 AMG
Diesel Models: ML280 CDI, ML320 CDI, ML420 CDI



X164 (2006-200X) "GL-Class"

X164
Petrol Models: GL450, GL550
Diesel Models: GL320 CDI, GL420 CDI




VANS

W638 (1996-2003) "V-Class"

W638
Petrol Models: V200, V230, V280
Diesel Models: V230 Turbodiesel, V200 CDI, V220 CDI



W639 (2003-200X) "Viano"

W639
Petrol Models: Viano 3.0, Viano 3.2, Viano 3.5
Diesel Models: Viano CDI 2.0, Viano CDI 2.2



W414 (2002-2005) "Vaneo"

W414
Petrol Models: Vaneo, Vaneo 1.6, Vaneo 1.9
Diesel Models: Vaneo CDI, Vaneo 1.7 CDI




CLASSIC RACING CARS

W194 / W196 (1952-1955)

W194
Engine: 3.0 Inline-6


W196
Engine: 2.5 Inline-8


W196 "Monza"
Engine: 2.5 Inline-8


W196 "Uhlenhaut 300SLR"
Engine: 3.0 Iinline-8

Wow, that's a ton of work Christian. Great job


The W196 is surely one of the most beautiful racing cars of all time.

Worked on it last night for hours. Glad I got it done.

BTW, I think something like this would be helpful for the Audi, BMW, Porsche and VW sections too.

Someone want to do Opel?

You guys deserve some major karma for your efforts here ...I am most impressed.

Thanks.

Rob, feel free to add your input and suggestions.