1972

January 1972
The all-wheel-drive tippers LAPK 1632 and LAPK 2032 complement the Mercedes-Benz truck model range. The new building site vehicles are based on models from the Hanomag-Henschel sales range, but are equipped with the Mercedes-Benz V10 engine OM 403.

9 - 19 March 1972
At the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz demonstrates the current state of safety technology based on the 350 SLC, series production of which began in February. Along with the safety body, with interior appointments designed so as to reduce injury hazards in accidents, and a safety steering system, the 350 SLC features many other safety-enhancing details developed by Mercedes-Benz: the fuel tank protected against collision, the four-spoke safety steering wheel, safety door handles and dirt-repelling side windows and tail lights.

March 1972
An international symposium for electric road vehicles taking place in Brussels provides the setting for the premiere of the Mercedes-Benz LE 306. The test vehicle is the first electrically-powered van with battery exchange technology.

20 - 28 April 1972
Daimler-Benz presents its new commercial vehicle diesel engine range at the Hanover Trade Fair. The OM 400 engine family, which went into production in May 1970 with the OM 403 V10, now also comprises V6, V8 and V12 engines developed according to the modular principle. Another new engine is the OM 407 h in-line six-cylinder engine designed for horizontal installation.

25 April 1972
The new 280, 280 E, 280 C and 280 CE – which round off the top end of the 114 series – are presented to the international press in Frankfurt am Main and on the Hockenheimring. The models are powered by a newly developed M 110 series 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts. The carburettor version of the power unit (in the 280 and 280 C) develops 118 kW / 160 hp and the fuel-injected variant 136 kW / 185 hp.

1 May 1972
The Sindelfingen plant is the first Daimler-Benz facility to begin the step-by-step introduction of flexible working hours.

28 May - 4 June 1972
The prototype of the all-wheel-drive MB-trac 65/70 farm tractor (440 series) makes its debut at the DLG agricultural show in Hanover. Series production starts up one year later at the Gaggenau plant. Specifically developed to serve the needs of agriculture and forestry, the vehicle is based on the Unimog.

31 May 1972
Daimler-Benz unveils the ESF 13 experimental safety vehicle, a further development of the ESF 05, at the Third International ESV Conference in Washington, D.C.

26 June 1972
In Spain CISPALSA merges with the Vitoria-based VW subsidiary IMOSA to create MEVOSA (Compañía Hispano Alemana de Productos Mercedes-Benz y Volkswagen, S.A.), in which Daimler-Benz and VW each own a 26.8 % stake.

August 1972
After a three-year planning and construction period, Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc., occupies its new headquarters in Montvale, New Jersey/USA, barely 50 km from New York City centre.

5 - 15 October 1972
At the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presents to the public a new generation of luxury saloons, the first to be designated S-Class. The 116 series model range consists initially of the 280 S, 280 SE and 350 SE.

30 November 1972
The one-millionth truck produced by Daimler-Benz AG since 1945 (upwards of 3.5-tonnes gross vehicle weight) leaves the assembly line at the Wörth plant.