Mercedes-Benz, a German automobile manufacturer and producer of luxury automobiles, coaches, busses, and trucks, is arguably the first company to mass-produce automobiles. Founder Karl Benz offered the Benz Patent Motorwagen, widely regarded as the first automobile, in 1886. Importation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles actually began in 1952 under Max Hoffman, who was a driving force behind the car that cemented the identity of Mercedes-Benz in America: the iconic 300SL Gullwing. In 1957, Mercedes-Benz entered into a distribution agreement with Studebaker-Packard Corporation. Eight years later, the company struck out on its own, forming Mercedes-Benz USA. In addition to a line of luxury cars and crossovers Mercedes sells diesel models under its Bluetec moniker, sports-themed models branded AMG and a diesel-powered cargo van called the Sprinter. Mercedes-Benz also owns the rights to distribute the SMART brand in the US. Headquarters are located in Stuttgart, Germany.

Visit the official Mercedes-Benz site for more information