Mercedes Turns 125: The Story Behind a Name That Changed the Automotive World

The name “Mercedes” was born on a racetrack more than a century ago — and went on to define one of the most prestigious brands on the planet.

On April 2, 1900, a date now etched in automotive history, Emil Jellinek, a visionary businessman closely associated with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, decided to inscribe the name “Mercedes” on the front of his race car for the very first time. He did it in honour of his daughter, convinced — as the legend goes — that the name would bring him luck and success. He was right.

From the Mercedes 35 PS to the Birth of a Legend

That seemingly small gesture became the foundation of a legacy. In 1926, the merger between DMG and Benz & Cie gave birth to Mercedes-Benz, a brand that would soon become synonymous with innovation, elegance, and performance. The first car to proudly wear the Mercedes badge was the 35 PS, a revolutionary machine for its time — lower, more stable, and far more advanced than its rivals. With its forward-thinking engineering, it’s often regarded as the world’s first modern automobile.

Since then, the three-pointed star has shone as a global symbol of German precision, prestige, and technology. Mercedes-Benz not only created the first car powered by a diesel engine, but also pioneered groundbreaking safety systems that reshaped the industry, including ABS, airbags, and ESP — features that are now standard in nearly every vehicle.

Throughout its 125-year history, the Stuttgart-based brand has masterfully balanced tradition and innovation. Its current line-up blends the electric power of the EQ range, the handcrafted luxury of Maybach, and the race-bred engineering inherited directly from Formula 1, where Mercedes-AMG continues to dominate as a benchmark of excellence.

What began as a name painted on the front of a racing car has become one of the most iconic emblems in the world. A century and a quarter later, “Mercedes” still stands for automotive perfection and forward-thinking innovation, embodying the very spirit that continues to drive the evolution of the automobile.