Tag Archives: Mercedes-Benz

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1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen sold for €51.15 million

This Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen was sold a few days ago for 51.15 million euros. It is one of only 14 units ever produced, and one of only four known complete examples mounted with the exquisite factory-built enclosed-fender Stromlinienwagen coachwork at the conclusion of the 1955 Formula One season.

The story of the W 196 R Stromlienwagen started in 1952 when the FIA ​​canceled the 1952 and 1953 seasons due to a lack of credible competition, and new regulations were introduced for 1954. These regulations specified that normally aspirated engines could not exceed 2.5 liters, while naturally aspirated engines were limited to 750 cubic centimeters. That’s why Mercedes-Benz created a truss-type narrow-diameter tubular space frame similar to the chassis of the W 194 300 SL, and equipped it with a front independent suspension via double wishbones, torsion springs and top-of-the-line hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers, and massive Alfin drum brakes.

However, since it was specified with few limitations to coachwork, Mercedes-Benz chose an open body in the shape of a W 196 R torpedo. This body, also known as Streamliner or Stromlinienwagen, was made in limited quantity by the racing department out of Elektron magnesium alloy, providing a shell even lighter than aluminum for a total weight of just over 88 pounds.

This W 196 R Stromlienwagen made its debut at the 1955 Buenos Aires Grand Prix, which was unusual in that it consisted of two separate heats of 30 laps each, with the winner determined by the fastest total aggregate time. This car was driven by Fangio, who finished 2nd in both races but won with an overall time of 2:23:18.9.

At the end of the 1955 season, Fangio was champion and Moss finished second. In two seasons, the model won three championships in two different racing series, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz’s dominance in Formula 1 racing. After retiring from racing, the car remained part of the collection until 1969, when it was donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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1954 Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Stromlinienwagen sold for €51.15 million
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Mercedes-Benz managers will not receive a pay rise in 2025

The European auto industry is in a major crisis and manufacturers are trying to find a way out in different ways. Volkswagen recently announced that it will lay off 35,000 employees by 2030, which will save the company 15 billion euros per year, but Mercedes has decided to take a different approach. According to the latest information, the German company will not close plants or lay off employees, but a large number of senior managers will have to go to work in different brand headquarters and will not receive a salary increase in 2025.

The plan is to make all employees more productive and save more than five billion euros in the next two years. This means that the salaries of managers, not just workers, will depend on the number of cars sold. The company is aware that it must become even more efficient and that everyone in the company must contribute to this.

Remote work, one of the great privileges so far, is coming to an end. Managers will have to abandon the work from home that has been used since the Covid-19 pandemic, which has continued without reason, but there are exceptions here too. Working from home will only be allowed in exceptional cases, when children are sick and need care. It is obvious that Mercedes understands the current situation and that for the good of the company, measures must be taken from the top.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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Mercedes-Benz star maker declared bankruptcy

The German automotive industry is in a major crisis. While the big players are finding ways to survive in the market, the small companies that have been supplying them for years are quietly shutting down. One of them is Gerhardi Kunststofftechnik GmbH, the company that produced the Mercedes-Benz logo.

Gerhardi Kunststofftechnik was founded in 1796, survived two world wars, but not the current crisis. It started its journey more than two centuries ago with the production of metal products, and then entered the automotive industry as a supplier to the Mercedes-Benz star. However, the long-term decline in demand for their products led to the shutdown and layoff of 1,500 employees.

Other suppliers could face the same problem, such as French company Forvia SE, which announced it was cutting thousands of jobs, or Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt AB, which is also in major financial trouble.

The crisis in Europe is getting worse and there is no way out in sight. VW recently announced that it will lay off 35,000 employees over the next six years and move production of the Golf Mk8 to Mexico, while other manufacturers have begun to reduce and shut down production at certain plants.

Source: Bloomberg