A few interesting facts about Mercedes-Benz

 By Ané Theron

Did you know that Mercedes-Benz, previously known as Daimler-Benz, is the world’s oldest automaker? Gottlieb Daimler, one of the gentlemen who was an originator of the brand, is also responsible for the design of the legendary three-pointed star badge. The three points of the star represent the air, sea, and land; this is because Daimler’s engines also found homes in airplanes and boats, as well as cars and trucks. The company is also known for building the first car with a diesel engine in the 1930s. They went on to build the first car with fuel injection (in the 50s) as well as the first car with ABS brakes in the 70s.

Here in South Africa, the brand remains ever-popular and Mercedes-Benz cars hold their value extremely well. Here are a few articles on AutoTrader if you’d like to know a bit more about this historically significant automarque and their locally-available cars.

1. They were the first brand to be granted test licenses for autonomous driving, in the US state of Nevada. Read how these E-Class saloons with their red ‘self-driving’ number plates underwent testing on Nevada’s highways. Read Mercedes-Benz E-Class gains self-driving license. 

2. They recently built a very famous bakkie that South Africans could hardly wait for: The new X-Class double cab which was crossbred with the Nissan Navara.

We attended the international launch in Chile as well as the local launch in George, to bring you all there is to know about the X-Class double cab, as well as to enlighten you as to how it’s different from the Navara. Read our International driving impression, our local first drive story, and Ten differences between the Mercedes-Benz X-Class and the Nissan Navara to impress your mates with your newfound knowledge at the next braai.

3. Some of the most-loved models on South African roads include the A-Class, C-Class, GLA, GLC (click here for our GLC Coupe review) and GLE. and of course, the epic (and mostly unaffordable to normal people) Geländewagen. The last of the current G-wagons came and went with huge hurrah and a very sexy special edition , and now we wait patiently for the next - which is already being sold overseas after making its debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January this year. Its interior is all very E-Class but its capabilities off- and especially on-road are said to be much-improved. We did take the previous-generation G-wagon and a couple of GLCs through Namibia on a very sandy adventure a while ago - click here to read more.

4. Then there are the Mercedes-AMG cars that don’t just ruffle tail-feathers but pulls them out by the root, and one of the most delectable is the Mercedes-AMG GT, that our lucky colleague Chad Luckhoff got to drive around town for an entire week.

5. The hugely popular Mercedes-Benz C-Class is getting facelifted (again) - and from what we’ve seen,the changes aren’t monumental, even though Mercedes-Benz is saying it’s a major revamp. I was sincerely hoping for more interesting taillights, but alas, there’s not much difference. The East-London built C-Class, which is probably SA’s best-known premium sedan, will be launching in August 2018 and we’ll be there to bring you all the news there is to know.

For more information about the upcoming C-Class, click here.