Karl Benz developed the first gasoline-powered vehicle, considered to be the first practical automobile. Unlike earlier inventors, Benz intended for his automobile to be manufactured. The vehicle was initially produced one at a time in Mannheim, Germany at the Benz Patent Motorwagen company. By 1899, Benz was producing 572 units, increasing production to two factories and 2500 units by 1923.

The Benz company merged with Daimler in 1926, producing the Mercedes-Benz line of cars. The new company was named after Karl Benz and the daughter of Daimler’s chief engineer – Mercedes.