From the hand-cranked Simplex to the computerized E Series, Mercedes vehicles are, and have always been, precision instruments. Mercedes has been celebrated for their superior craftsmanship since 1871, when the company was founded in Stuttgart, Germany. Their first automobile rolled into existence in 1886, and in 1901 the first Mercedes was released for public consumption. The rest, as the saying goes, is automotive history.

Though technically the third vehicle created by the company, the Mercedes Simplex was initially assembled in 1902 and then again in 1909 by Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft. Wilhelm Maybach designed the Mercedes Simplex, which offered more engine performance and more stability than previous vehicles. The Mercedes 35hp, created the year before the Simplex, broke with several automotive standards of the time. To keep up with the tradition of innovation, Maybach and Daimler knew they needed the Simplex to be more than what most consumers considered when they thoughts of a “standard” car. They decided to added comfort by means of simplicity, hence the name.

As expected, automobiles like the Simplex are highly sought after because of rarity. With the 1902 design improving the horse power of the engine, the Mercedes Simplex had to prove its prowess on the race track. The first track to host the Simplex was in Nice, France. That same year, in the United States, the Simplex raced in Detroit, garnering the patronage of William Vanderbilt Jr. This significantly boosted the profile of Mercedes in the United States.

The Mercedes Simplex gained another significant admirer in 1903. Kaiser Wilhelm II expressed such admiration for the car it spurred a buying frenzy in Germany. Currently, antique vehicles like the Mercedes Simplex can only be seen at the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart, where they feature thirteen original Simplex models. These vehicles are still considered some of the finest cars ever manufactured.

Whether you are interested in new, antique, or used Mercedes cars performance and dedication to luxury are noted factors. The modern line of Mercedes vehicles includes SUVs, trucks, and compacts. They recently began offering Smart cars for city driving. The reputation of Mercedes Benz will continue to brand it as one of the finest luxury cars on the market.