1956

Walter Schock and Rolf Moll in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL capture overall victory in the Rallye del Sestrière. Two months later in the Acropolis Rally in Greece from 26 - 29 April they repeat this success and again come out overall winners. At the end of the season the Schock/Moll team occupies first place in the European Touring Car Championship.

Paul O'Shea, who a year earlier won the National Sports Car Championship for Class D production cars staged by the Sports Car Club of America, gains his first victory of the season in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL in Cumberland, Maryland/USA.

Friedrich Flick becomes First Deputy Chairman and Herbert Quandt Second Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board. Together with Hermann J. Abs they form the Supervisory Board Presidium.

The first LG 315 is produced at the Mercedes-Benz Gaggenau plant. The cross-country capable 5-tonne truck was developed for the recently founded German army, the Bundeswehr; over 6,600 vehicles of this type are delivered by 1964.

The new 411 series, which replaces the 401 and 402 series, debuts at the German Agricultural Society (DLG) show in Hanover with the 30 hp Unimog. The four-cylinder diesel engine now has 30 hp / 22 kW, but is still optionally available with 25 hp / 18 kW.

Production begins of the L 319 light van – available as a panel van and pickup – at the Sindelfingen plant. The O 319 minibus goes into series production at the Mannheim plant.

The 220 S Coupé, a closed-body two-door car based on the 220 S Convertible and fitted with a hard coupé roof, debuts at the International Motor Show in Paris.

The Sports Car Club of America announces the standings in the National Sports Car Championship. Last year's winner Paul O'Shea again wins the title for class D production cars in his 300 SL.