Mercedes-Benz

German brand of luxury and high-performance automobiles, owned by manufacturer Daimler AG, and originally created by a merger of the Daimler and Benz factories in 1926. The first cars to carry the Mercedes name were those built by Gottlieb Daimler in 1901.

In the 1930s, Mercedes-Benz dominated Grand Prix races. The W196, which made its debut 1954, was one of the finest racing cars of the post-war era. Following a disaster at Le Mans 1955, when 80 spectators lost their lives after an accident involving a Mercedes, the company withdrew from motor sport until 1989. Involvement in Grand Prix racing was revived in 1995 when Mercedes joined up with the British McLaren Formula 1 team. Powered by Mercedes engines, McLaren cars won the World Drivers' Championship and the Constructors' trophy in 1998 and another Drivers' Championship in 1999.