An abundance of new cars and commercial vehicles equipped with intelligent assistance systems and sustainable drives, key milestones for our business future, and the most valuable premium auto brand.
Key events of 2012
The new A-Class is the centerpiece on the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Geneva Motor Show – boasting emotive design, technical innovations, and impressive inner values. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID and the new SL make their European debuts.
Daimler starts production at its new passenger car plant in Kecskemét. Joint production of the new compact class in Rastatt and Kecskemét allows flexible and optimum capacity utilization at each plant.
After a record construction time of just 24 months, the production area covering about 160 hectares is opened along with an integrated R&D Center and a state-of-the-art test track. The following year BharatBenz rolls out the complete product range of medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses in the 9 to 55 t weight categories.
The battery-powered concept vehicle of the new DENZA brand is the result of the partnership between BYD and Daimler. DENZA is the first New Energy Vehicles (NEV) brand in the Chinese market.
The electric vehicle is produced at the Hambach plant – along with the combustion-engine models – using the standard production process from start to finish. The sale & care sales model allows customers to buy, finance or lease the vehicle at an attractive price, and to rent the battery for a monthly fee.
The first jointly produced truck from the Auman brand – a joint venture between Daimler Trucks and the Chinese truck manufacturer Foton – rolls off the production line in Beijing. The Beijing Foton Daimler Automotive (BFDA) joint venture produces trucks locally in China exclusively for the Chinese market.
Fully electric and fully flexible while on the road: car2go now offers this freedom in Stuttgart. Germany's largest electric fleet is launched in Daimler's home city. The power for the smart electric cars comes from renewable energy sources.
The Supervisory Board of Daimler AG appoints Hubertus Troska as member of the Board of Management for the newly created "Greater China" division, with effect from December 13, 2012. This decision underlines the strategic importance of China for Daimler. The company envisages further huge potential for sustainable growth and the continual expansion of business activities here.
Setra unveils the world's first touring-coach concept developed entirely based on Euro VI requirements in the form of the ComfortClass 500. The dynamic sixth-generation touring coach sets new records in terms of economy, value, comfort, and safety.
The locally emission-free super sports car with high-tech features derived from Formula 1 racing is the most exclusive and dynamic way to drive an electric car. This most powerful of all AMG high-performance vehicle features four electric motors that deliver an overall system output of 552 kW and maximum torque of 1000 Nm to make the gullwing model the fastest electrically powered series-production vehicle in the world: Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in the SLS AMG Electric Drive takes 3.9 seconds.
Key events of 2013
Product initiative in the luxury segment: Production launch for the new S-Class at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant. Daimler invests around a billion euros in the plant in 2013.
Trailblazing achievement along the road to autonomous driving: with the S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE research vehicle, Mercedes-Benz becomes the first auto manufacturer in the world to demonstrate that autonomous driving is also possible in city and intercity traffic.
Daimler becomes the first manufacturer to offer a full line-up of Euro VI models in the heavy-duty class, a full six months before the emission standard comes into effect. Alongside the Mercedes-Benz Arocs for use in the heavy-duty construction industry, the new Mercedes-Benz Atego also celebrates its world premiere. Systematic use of lightweight construction techniques, state-of-the-art Euro VI engines and a drivetrain tailored specifically for the proposed applications ensure that the Mercedes-Benz Atego sets new standards in terms of consumption, performance and overall economic efficiency.
With a workforce of 1,200, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) in Bangalore is Daimler's largest research and development facility outside Germany and, at the same time, the most sophisticated R&D center of any German auto manufacturer in India.
The new Sprinter features five new safety and assistance systems - three of which are world premieres for vans. Bot the exterior and the interior have been further upgraded, resulting in a distinctive look that once again sets new standards.
Mercedes-Benz sets the benchmark for automotive passion and innovation with five premieres at the 2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The new models include the compact GLA off-roader and the new S 500 PlugIn Hybrid, which is launched in the second half of 2014.
Cleaner, more efficient, and more powerful - these are the outstanding attributes of the new-generation Unimog equipment carriers. The ultra-modern panoramic driver's cab radiates state-of-the-art technology and introduce major innovations in the exterior and interior. The technological masterpiece received great attention in professional circles: It succeeded in accommodating the major assemblies in the compact Unimog chassis, developed to comply with the European Euro VI emissions standard.
The new plant is Daimler's first car engine plant outside of Germany. It combines state-of-the-art technologies with sustainable and streamlined production processes. The production line is designed to be flexible; an annual capacity of 250,000 units is planned for the first phase.
Daimler is the first foreign automaker to acquire a stake in a Chinese automotive company. This step is a clear sign of great trust and good collaboration and underlines the partners' long-term commitment to unlocking the opportunities and potential of the Chinese auto market.
The new TopClass 500 is designed for the premium touring segment and embodies the Setra brand values in a very special way. With their powerful stature and crisp lines, the vehicles developed over a period of four years are the indisputable new flagships of the Setra product family and impress with their unrivaled character traits.
Key events of 2014
The all-new C-Class is the highlight at the Detroit Auto Show. The C-Class sets new standards in its class thanks to an intelligent lightweight concept, excellent aerodynamics and economical new engines. Many new assistance systems ensure safety at the highest level.
The new V-Class rolls off the production line at the Mercedes-Benz Vitoria plant in Spain. For the first time, the new V-Class combines the functionality of a van with the hallmark strengths of Mercedes-Benz cars with emotive design, high-grade interior equipment, exemplary safety, and sheer driving pleasure. The new Mercedes-Benz Vito also celebrates its premiere. Low on costs, high on payload, and an expert on safety - the new Vito sets new standards for mid-size vans.
Mercedes-Benz unveils its new services brand "Mercedes me" on the eve of the 84th Geneva International Motor Show. This new umbrella brand pools existing and future service offerings – making them easily accessible and permanently available on an online digital platform. Self-assured style, exclusive appointments, and refined sportiness – the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupé is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. The curve inclination function is a world debut: The lateral acceleration acting upon the occupants is reduced, similar to driving in a high-bank curve. The new S-Class Coupé thus heightens driving enjoyment and comfort, especially on country roads.
smart unveils two all-new city cars: the fortwo and the forfour. The new models adopt the tried-and-tested rear-engine concept, but above all offer more: more comfort, more safety and more driving enjoyment in the city.
The Mercedes-Benz Future Truck 2025 features the Highway Pilot assistance system and can thus capable of highly automated driving at speeds of up to 85 km/h. This marks the start of the road to series maturity of self-driving long-haul trucks for Daimler Trucks.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT epitomizes sheer driving pleasure and breathtaking design. The second sports car to be developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG is agile, sporty, and dynamic – uncompromising on the race track yet still ideal for everyday driving on the road.
Mercedes-Benz climbs to tenth place in the US brand consultancy Interbrand's 2014 Best Global Brands ranking, making it the only European company to enter the Top 10 of the 100 most valuable brands.
In November 2014 the first B-Class Electric Drive rolls off the line at the Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz models with combustion engines and electric drive systems are being produced at the site on the same line. The B-Class Electric Drive is based on the front-wheel-drive architecture of the new generation of compact cars from Mercedes-Benz and benefits from its modular system of component assembly. The batteries are securely located within the underbody of the vehicle (ENERGY SPACE).
Another milestone in 2014 is set by the S 500 PLUG-IN HYBRID. It delivers a system output of 325 kW and 650 Nm of torque, sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds and has an all-electric range of up to 33 km. Its certified consumption is 2.8 liters/100 km, which corresponds to emissions of 65 g CO2/km. The key elements behind this impressive performance are its V6 biturbo engine and intelligent hybrid drive system. Its new high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack, with an energy content of 8.7 kWh, can be externally charged via a charging socket in the rear right-hand bumper.
Key events of 2015
With the self-driving luxury sedan, the F 015 Luxury in Motion, Mercedes-Benz shows how the car is transformed from a vehicle into a private refuge at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Offering maximum spaciousness and a lounge-like interior, the F 015 takes comfort and luxury to new levels.
With full integration of online tickets for buses and rail vehicles, moovel in Stuttgart is the first provider to offer a "one-stop shop" for urban mobility. moovel users can book and pay for car2go, Flinkster, mytaxi and Deutsche Bahn (German railroad) trips as well as online tickets from the Stuttgart local public transport provider directly in the moovel app.
"People who make the future happen" This year, Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant celebrates its 100th birthday under this motto. The ceremony to mark this milestone focuses on the future and the new construction of the technology factory, which will soon start producing tools and machinery for the Mercedes-Benz plants around the world.
The Actros epitomizes maximum economy, safety, and comfort. The Actros proves it has the edge on efficiency throughout Europe at the "Fuel Duel": The results of over 1,900 road tests speak for themselves: Victory in over 90 percent of all duels, ten percent lower fuel consumption on average.
The Hoover Dam in Nevada provides the backdrop for the world premiere of the Freightliner Inspiration Truck. Daimler Trucks unveils the Freightliner Inspiration Truck – the world's first highly automated truck with road approval – with the Governor of Nevada in attendance.
About 40 refugees start a bridge internship at the Stuttgart-Untertürkheim site - in cooperation with the German Federal Employment Agency. Daimler will enable several hundred refugees to get the qualifications they need to work in German industry.
The premiering truck is a standard-production Mercedes-Benz Actros equipped with the intelligent Highway Pilot system for testing automated driving on public roads. Testing a self-driving truck on Germany's public roads is another milestone on the road toward market maturity for this technology – and toward sustainable, safe freight transport in the future.
With the foundation of the joint venture H2 MOBILITY Deutschland GmbH & Co.KG, industrial partners Air Liquide, Daimler, Linde, OMV, Shell, and Total have laid the foundations for the gradual expansion of the nationwide hydrogen refueling network.
