Production volume in Germany in 2003 – 911,440 passenger cars (excluding the CKD / SKD sets). Mercedes-Benz is the oldest car manufacturer in the world, known for technically perfect, reliable and luxurious cars. In 1883, Karl Benz founded his own company – Benz & Cie – and in 1885 constructed his first, three- -wheel petrol vehicle, the Benz-Patent-Motorwagen, publicly presented a year later. Low series production started in 1887. At the same time, in 1882, Gottlieb Daimler founded his company, in 1885 constructed the first motorcycle, and in 1886 presented the first, four- -wheel petrol car – the Daimler-Motorkutsche. Following a few more prototypes, the low series production started in 1890. In 1901, the brand name was changed to Mercedes. In 1926, Daimler and Benz merged to create the Daimler-Benz AG concern and sell cars under the make of Mercedes-Benz. In 1960, the concern took over the Maybach company. In 1997, Daimler-Benz increased its share from 49% to 81% (since 1999, it has been 100%) of the MCC company established in 1994 (since 2002 – the Smart GmbH). In May 1998, Daimler-Benz signed a merger contract with Chrysler (57% to 43%) and established the DaimlerChrysler AG concern, officially as of 17 November 1998. In 1999, the concern took over 51% (since 2005 – 100%) of AMG shares, and in January 2000 – 40% of the shares in the British McLaren. In 2000, DaimlerChrysler also took over 34% of the shares (since 2001 – 37.3%, since 2004 – 24.66%) in the passenger car section of the Mitsubishi concern. In the years 2000-2004, DaimlerChrysler owned 10.5% of Hyundai shares. Mercedes-Benz passenger cars are now being produced in Germany, Great Britain (since 2003), Spain, Austria (since 1979), the USA (since 1997), South Africa (since 1958), Egypt (since 1997), India (since 1995), and Brazil (since 1998), and assembled in Malaysia, Thailand (since 1979), Indonesia, Vietnam (since 1996), Greece (G-Class) and Ukraine (since 2002). Latest premieres: Paris 2002 – S restyling and CL restyling; Detroit 2003 – new E kombi T; Geneva 2003 – CLK II Cabriolet; Hannover 2003 – Viano, Vaneo restyling; Frankfurt/Main 2003 – SLR McLaren, new E 4 Matic, Vision CLS concept car; Tokyo 2003 – F 500 Mind concept car; Detroit 2004 – GST Diesel-Hybrid Concept, S Benzin-Hybrid Concept; Geneva 2004 – SLK II, CLS coupe, C restyling; June 2004 – A of the second generation; Hannover 2004 – Viano Activity pick-up concept car; Paris 2004 – prototype of Compact Sports Tourer Vision B, prototype of Grand Sports Tourer Vision R; Detroit 2005 – ML of the second generation (production in the USA), S Diesel-Hybrid Concept; Geneva 2005 – B, CLK Coupe / Cabrio restyling, New York 2005 – R (production in the USA). In the summer of 2005, production of the Vaneo minivan was terminated. Plans for the future: new S (W221), A Coupe / Cabrio; 2006 – GL (successor to G class), new CL, E restyling, SL restyling; 2007 – new C-Class and C kombi T; 2008 – CLK III, SUV MLK. In 2003, in fourteen countries, 1,101,811 Mercedes- -Benz passenger cars were produced. DaimlerChrysler, as the fifth largest car manufacturer in the world, produced in 2003, in 30 countries, 4,300,471 passenger and utility Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Freightliner, Sterling, Western Star, Orion, Thomas and Setra cars (including the Chrysler Sebring Coupe and the Dodge Stratus Coupe produced by Mitsubishi).