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5 March 1959
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Daimler-Benz presents three truck models in the new semi-forward control vehicle design to the press in Stuttgart: in the medium-duty class the L 322 and the L 327 export model from Mannheim production, and the heavy-duty L 337 built in Gaggenau. This marks the beginning of a drive to phase out the traditional truck design. As with the outgoing models, a cab-over-engine variant is also available for each model.
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March 1959
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American journalist Bill Carroll demonstrates the economy of the Mercedes-Benz diesel passenger cars in a long journey from Seattle, Washington/USA, to Washington, D.C. Over the 5,122 mile / 8,243 km distance his 190 D consumes only 5.7 litres of fuel per 100 km (41 miles per gallon). This is equal to an overall cost of only USD 32.27.
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17 - 27 September 1959
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The facelifted four-cylinder cars 180 b/180 Db (W 120) and 190 b/190 Db (W 121) and the newly developed luxury models 220 b, 220 Sb and 220 SEb (W 111) celebrate their premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main. The "b" in the model designation is only used internally and serves to distinguish the new models from the preceding ones. All new car models have interior appointments designed to avoid or reduce injuries in accidents. In the "fintail body" of the six-cylinder models, the safety cell with crumple zones originally conceived by Béla Barényi is featured for the first time in a series-produced passenger car. Also making its debut appearance is the Mercedes-Benz O 322 urban bus with rear-mounted engine and air suspension.
