 | | | The first contemporary automobile |
| In April 1900, Jellinek concluded an agreement with DMG concerning sales of cars and engines and the decision was taken to use the pseudonym "Mercedes" as a product name. It was also agreed that a new engine "bearing the name Daimler-Mercedes" was to be developed. |
Two weeks later, Jellinek ordered 36 of these vehicles at a total price of 550,000 marks – a sizeable order even by today's standards (the equivalent value is EUR 3 million). A few weeks later, he placed an order for another 36 cars, all with 8 hp engines. The first car to be fitted with the new engine, a 35 hp racing car, was delivered to Jellinek by DMG on 22 December 1900. This first "Mercedes", developed by Wilhelm Maybach, the Chief Engineer at DMG, caused quite a stir in the first year of the new century. With its low centre of gravity, pressed-steel frame, light, high-performance engine and honeycomb radiator, it featured numerous innovations and is regarded today as the first modern automobile.
The Week of Nice racing event in March 1901, during which the Mercedes cars were unbeatable in virtually all disciplines, earned Jellinek and his vehicles an exceptionally high profile. The 12/16 hp and 8/11 hp sister models appeared in March and August 1901. And thanks to Jellinek's orders, the Daimler plant in Cannstatt was operating at full capacity. |
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Models
