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15 - 23 January 2005
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The new M-Class (W 164 series) debuts at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan/USA. Like its predecessor it is built at the Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama/USA. The first series-produced unit came off the assembly line on 14 December. In addition, Mercedes-Benz presents the latest-generation hybrid drive in the S-Class Hybrid test vehicle. The environment-friendly drive system, combining an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, develops a maximum output of 241 kW / 340 hp – a new peak value for automobiles with hybrid technology.
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21 January 2005
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ADAC presents the winners of the first "Yellow Angel" award at a ceremony in Munich. In the Brand category the prize goes to Mercedes-Benz, based on the last four results in the AutoMarxX study. In the previous eleven surveys for the AutoMarxX index introduced in September 2001, Mercedes-Benz took first place nine times and was runner-up twice.
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3 - 13 March 2005
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Mercedes-Benz present the new 245 series B-Class and the facelifted 209 series CLK at the Geneva Motor Show. Other new products include the SLK 280 and seven C-Class (203 series) and E-Class (211 series) models fitted with the M 272 and OM 642 V6 petrol and diesel engines. A demonstration model of the new B-Class F-Cell fuel cell car gives a preview of the next generation of passenger cars featuring the forward-looking fuel cell technology. The new M-Class from the W 164 series has its European premiere. The Maybach brand presents the newly developed 57 S, a more powerful model for the ambitious self-driver. The uprated V12 biturbo engine from the 285 series delivers 450 kW / 612 hp and 1,000 Nm.
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25 March - 3 April 2005
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The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is the platform for another Mercedes-Benz world premiere. At the long-established auto show, where 51 years earlier the legendary 300 SL "Gullwing" was presented for the first time, Mercedes-Benz introduces the new R-Class (251 series) to the public.
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2 May 2005
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Three production E 320 CDI saloons fitted with the new Mercedes-Benz 165 kW / 224 hp OM 642 V6 CDI diesel engine finish a 30-day record-breaking run at the high-speed circuit in Laredo, Texas/USA. They set world records over distances of 100,000 kilometres, 50,000 miles and 100,000 miles, averaging speeds of over 224 km/h. Further class records for diesel cars complete the impressive list. Despite the extreme stress and strain during the 30-day run, the maintenance-free particulate filter operates without efficiency losses over the entire distance – renewed proof of the reliability and longevity of this emission control technology.
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3 May 2005
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In Tuscaloosa, Alabama/USA, DaimlerChrysler officially inaugurates the expanded plant together with employees of Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (MBUSI), representatives of the state of Alabama, suppliers, DaimlerChrysler managers and representatives of the international media. With investments of USD 600 million since 2001, the company has doubled the workforce and production capacity and prepared the plant for production of the second-generation Mercedes-Benz M-Class and the new Grand Sports Tourer of the R-Class.
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May 2005
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The first Mercedes-Benz Citaro urban buses with environment-friendly BlueTec diesel technology roll off the assembly line at the Mannheim bus plant of EvoBus GmbH. Transport operators in Hamburg, Stuttgart and Lahr take receipt of the nine vehicles to trial BlueTec technologie in everyday use.
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7 June 2005
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At the DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in 2005 in Washington, D.C., Mercedes-Benz presents the "Bionic Car" study, which previews the great potential of bionics and SCR technology for the development of the automobile. The vehicle takes its streamlined shape and body structure from the tropical boxfish.
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18 June 2005
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In Hoşdere near Istanbul, DaimlerChrysler AG opens one of the most up-to-date bus manufacturing facilities in the world, the enlarged plant of Mercedes-Benz Türk A.S. Body shell production and assembly are now concentrated at one site. The plant will take over series production of the new Travego touring coach series.
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20 June 2005
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Mercedes-Benz presents the new 221 series S-Class to the press, with which a new generation takes the lead in automotive engineering. The luxury saloon appears in the showrooms of dealerships and company-owned outlets in the autumn.The launch showcases a dozen inovations, including ADAPTIVE BRAKE, active Night View Assist and the further developed assistance systems DISTRONIC PLUS and Brake Assist PLUS. The enhanced COMAND system, the central control element of which is the new COMAND controller on the transmission tunnel, provides very rapid access to frequently required functions. The simplified operation of increasingly complex functions tangibly makes life easier for the driver. The new S-Class also features an all-new V8 engine with four-valve technology. The first representative of the innovative M 273 engine series has a displacement of 5 litres and output of 285 kW / 388 hp.
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4 July 2005
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Mercedes-Benz is the first automobile brand in the world to fit all diesel passenger cars with maintenance-free particulate filters as standard. This gives 40 models from A-Class to S-Class a particulate filter system which works without additives and cuts particulate emissions by 95 %. Mercedes-Benz supports the diesel offensive with a nationwide TV and print campaign under the slogan "The particulate filter for everyone".
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7 July 2005
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Mercedes-Benz presents the innovative assistance system ESP trailer stabilisation, which ensures greater safety when pulling trailers. The system, which uses the ESP sensors, counteracts critical fishtailing of the vehicle-trailer combination as soon as it develops. ESP trailer stabilisation premieres in the new S-Class (221 series) and is also available in the M-Class (W 164 series) from August.
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13 July 2005
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AMG presents the 6.2-litre M 156 V8 engine, the world's only power plant which combines the high-revving concept with a large displacement. The high-performance engine, a completely in-house development by AMG, is the world's most powerful series-produced naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine, with an output of 375 kW / 510 hp and maximum torque of 630 Nm. From September it finds use in various car series, starting with the ML 63 AMG.
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28 July 2005
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The Supervisory Board of Daimler-Chrysler AG decides on a change of top management: Dr Dieter Zetsche takes over as Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG on 1 January 2006. Prof. Jürgen E. Schrempp, the outgoing Chairman of the Board of Management of DaimlerChrysler AG, departs on 31 December 2005, after 44 years with the company.
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1 September 2005
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In a joint declaration with DaimlerChrysler Financial Services, Mercedes-Benz USA and Freightliner, the DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund announces that it is to provide USD 1.1 million in emergency funds for the victims of the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina. The money is to be used for emergency shelters, water, food and other vital aid in the areas stricken by the worst natural disaster in the USA in over 100 years.
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7 September 2005
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In a Memorandum of Understanding, the BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler AG and General Motors Corporation enter into an alliance of equals for the purpose of developing a joint hybrid drive system. The three global automakers cooperate to systematically focus their know-how and efficiently and quickly advance the development of hybrid drive systems of the future.
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15 - 25 September 2005
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At the Frankfurt International Motor Show, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class from the 221 series celebrates its public world premiere. In the two concept cars "Vision S 350 DIRECT HYBRID" and "Vision S 320 BlueTEC HYBRID", based on the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz presents forward-looking drive concepts that are as environmentally compatible and economical as they are dynamic. The R-Class (251 series) is shown in Europe for the first time, including the short-wheelbase variant, destined exclusively for European markets. The near-series Vision R 63 AMG and the ML 63 AMG, the first production model equipped with the new 6.2-litre AMG high-performance engine M 156, also have their world premieres. Moreover, Mercedes-AMG presents the convertible variant of the Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG. The high - performance sports car with its 428 kW / 582 hp 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine and electronically limited top speed of 300 km/h is the fastest open four-seater in the world. Delivery of the small series, a limited edition o
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September 2005
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DaimlerChrysler AG takes over the minority holdings of the family shareholders of MTU Friedrichshafen and so creates the prerequisites to dispose of the Off-Highway unit. Divestiture of the business in heavy-duty engines is part of a series of measures to sharpen the strategic focus on the core business.
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11 October 2005
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DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North America receives an order for the delivery of 500 Orion VII Hybrid urban buses to the New York transit authority – to date the biggest order for hybrid buses worldwide. Orion, the North American urban bus brand of DaimlerChrysler, will start delivering the vehicles in the second quarter of 2006, This is the third order from the city of New York, which already ordered 200 and 125 hybrid buses from Orion in 2000 and 2001 respectively.
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13 - 23 October 2005
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At the BedrijfsautoRAI commecial vehicle show in Amsterdam DaimlerChrysler presents the environment-friendly BlueTec diesel technology for the Atego and Axor truck series, new light construction site vehicles in the Axor family, and the technically forward-looking, ambitiously designed Actros "Cruiser" 1860 LS concept study. The Vito 4x4, the all-wheel-drive variant of the proven van series, also celebrates its world premiere.
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16 October 2005
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In the final race of the Formula One season, the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, Kimi Räikkönen takes second place in the McLaren-Mercedes MP4-20 behind Fernando Alonso in a Renault. Räikkönen is runner-up, teammate Montoya takes fourth place in the drivers' rankings. McLaren-Mercedes also takes second place in the constructors' championship.
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21 - 26 October 2005
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A new generation of the Travego touring coach series and new variants of the successful Mercedes-Benz regular service bus series, the Citaro LE and LE Ü, celebrate their world premiere at the Busworld bus and coach show in Kortrijk, Belgium. The new Travego luxury touring coach impresses with many innovations, including further improved safety equipment which can be complemented by the adaptive cruise control and Lane Assistant, available for the first time in a touring coach as optional extras. In addition, the redesigned Setra MultiClass 400 combined-service bus series debuts with the S 415 UL and the long version, the S 417 UL.
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22 October - 6 November 2005
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DaimlerChrysler presents the F 600 HYGENIUS, a new research car equipped with a variant of the zero-emission fuel cell drive at the Tokyo Motor Show. Despite its small dimensions, it offers a maximum of comfort and flexibility. The fuel cell is around 40 % smaller than previously, operates more efficiently and displays good cold-starting properties. Unused energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery.
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23 October 2005
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Bernd Schneider, Jamie Green and Gary Paffett score a one-two-three win for AMG-Mercedes in the C-Class racing touring car at the DTM finale in Hockenheim. The third place finish suffices to give Paffett the championship – ahead of Mattias Ekström in an Audi. The DaimlerChrysler Bank AMG-Mercedes team had already secured itself the team title three weeks earlier in Istanbul. Mercedes-Benz also wins the brand title.
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11 - 13 November 2005
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The second-generation Integro rural service bus series and the CapaCity large-capacity articulated bus study celebrate their world premieres at the Mannheim Bus Days. The 19.54-metre four-axle low-floor articulated bus has room for up to 193 passengers and goes into series production in 2007.
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23 November 2005
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At the opening of the 4th International Clean Vehicle Technology Conference and Exhibition, DaimlerChrysler hands over three Mercedes-Benz Citaro fuel cell buses to the city of Beijing. They belong to a fleet of 36 vehicles testing the fuel cell drive in demanding daily regular service in Europe, Australia, and now in Asia.
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November 2005
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At its Technology Forum smart presents several vehicles with alternative drive systems, including two prototypes of the smart fortwo ev (electric vehicle), which is powered solely by an electric motor, a smart fortwo with natural gas drive and two hybrid vehicles in the form of the mild hybrid and cdi hybrid.
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15 December 2005
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Freightliner, the leading commercial vehicle manufacturer in North America and wholly-owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, announces its intention to sell the firefighting and rescue vehicle business under the American LaFrance brand to the investment company Patriarch Partners, LLC. The company headquarters of American LaFrance and the production plant in Ladson, South Carolina/USA, remain in the possession of DaimlerChrysler AG.
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28 December 2005
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DaimlerChrysler announces its decision to sell the Off-Highway business unit to the Swedish investment group EQT, subject to the approval of the German Antitrust Office and the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs. With a price tag of € 1.6 billion, the transaction includes MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH and the off-highway activities of Detroit Diesel Corporation.
