Driven by a desire for perfection

Quality and craftsmanship are the watchwords that mean German cars are in demand all over the world

The German automotive industry has always been considered strong from a design and engineering perspective. The reasons for this lie with the evolution of the automobile itself, as the pioneering research and design has often been the work of Germans.

The brain of the automobile is the internal combustion engine. In 1876, a German shop clerk, Nikolaus August Otto, invented it. Otto's engine, the basis for all engines, is still used in automobiles.

German engineer Rudolf Diesel invented the diesel engine, which he patented in 1892. It was the first auto-ignition engine in the world. Before diesel, coal was used as fuel.

In 1897, Diesel built a compression-ignition engine that ran on kerosene, thus beginning the worldwide search for alternatives to coal-driven engines not just in automobiles but also in railways, ships and other means of transport.

The efficiency of the diesel engine, which is in general governed by the same factors that control the efficiency of Otto-cycle engines, is greater than that of any Otto engine by more than 40 per cent.

Germans Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz together share credit for building the first modern cars, though both worked independently of each other and didn't know the other.

In 1878, Karl Benz developed a two-cycle internal-combustion engine and later a light four-cycle engine. He invented the differential drive and other automotive accessories.

In 1885, he built a three-wheeled vehicle with an internal-combustion engine. In 1870, Daimler assisted in the development of the Otto gasoline engine, and he later became director of the factory in which it was produced.

After 1882, he devoted himself to the construction of light, high-speed gasoline and oil engines. In 1906, Daimler hired as his chief engineer Ferdinand Porsche, who would produce many influential designs and who later conceived the Volkswagen.

In 1950s, German engineer Felix Wankel developed an internal-combustion engine that was radically different. In Wankel's engine, a three-cornered rotor turning in a roughly oval chamber replaced the piston and cylinder. This is the rotary engine, which is more compact and weighs less. However, it has low fuel efficiency.

While the British, Americans, Italians, French and Japanese contributed to the growth of the automobile industry, it was the pioneering research and design of German engineers that really made a difference.

The German contribution to the growth of the automotive industry didn't stop with research but also included manufacturing companies. Three of them stand out to this day, namely BMW, Volkswagen and Daimler-Benz that is now Daimler.

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke) is a German manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft engines. It is the leading auto exporter in Europe.

BMW's origin can be traced to 1913, when Karl Rapp began an aircraft-engine shop in Munich named Rapp Motoren Werke. When Rapp left in 1917, it was renamed BMW.

Max Friz designed the company's first aircraft engine, and it created strong demand for BMW engines. When the Treaty of Versailles prohibited German companies from producing aircraft and aircraft engines, BMW made air brakes for railways.

In 1923, Friz developed the company's first motorcycle that held world speed records for motorcycles during the 1930s. BMW began producing a line of larger touring and sports cars, introducing its highly successful sports car in 1936.

German automobile engineer, Ferdinand Porsche, founded Volkswagen in 1938. From near ruin in the World War II, it is today one of the world's largest automakers.

The company began to achieve recognition in the 1960s, when it began to manufacture compact cars. Volkswagen's entry into the highly competitive SUV sector with the imposing Touareg is spectacular.

With excellent support from Ali and Sons Motors Division, Volkswagen has made its foray into the UAE market. From a single showroom, Volkswagen has recently grown into two plush showrooms that offer state-of-the-art facilities to customers.

Innovative launch events have led to rising sales of Volkswagen cars in the UAE that include road shows. Volkswagen reaches out to customers in every corner of the UAE, making the Emirates Germany's leading economic partner in the Arab world.

In 1926, Daimler merged with Benz and the Mercedes-Benz was born. Mercedes-Benz is a time-tested luxury car. Once produced by Daimler-Benz, today it is one of the models produced by German automaker Daimler.

Other models cater to the luxury segment, cab segment, SUV, truck segment, van segment and bus segment.

Automobiles made by Daimler have not only proved to be fuel efficient, safe and reliable but with constant innovation are also larger and environmental friendly.

The Actros truck is in the Guinness Book of Records as Mercedes-Benz Actros trailer/tractor combination is listed as the most fuel-efficient 40 tonne truck in the world.

Daimler is the largest manufacturer of commercial automotive vehicles in the world. Mercedes Benz also has a cult status worldwide and this includes the UAE.

Daimler wins over London cabbies

There has been a change in the streets of London where the classic five-seat black cab has been replaced with the six-seater Mercedes Vito taxi made by Daimler.

Not only is the cab more spacious, environmentally friendly and fuel efficient than the autos made by British firm LTI Vehicles, it also has electric sliding doors, disc brakes all round, and parktronic system that warn you if another vehicle is parked too close.

Another interesting feature is the panic button that when pressed sounds the vehicle's horn and shuts the doors automatically, which has earned the appreciation of the cab drivers.

Apart from automatic doors the cabbie can operate, there are also steps on both sides of the cab, which can be operated automatically.

However, the five-inch clearance of the steps from the road can prove to be a problem at speed breakers or speed bumps as it is too low.

The vehicle has an engine management system called Assyst, which monitors the quality of the motor oil, coolant, etc and will automatically notify the service dealer and the cabbie when the car is due for a service.

The steering wheel can be adjusted for both reach and height and the driver seat is extremely comfortable and has a lot more leg room with the added benefit of a superb ride.

Time will ultimately tell if it is a success but even the most sceptic of cabbies in London who after having seen the quality of build, features, and driving it, agree that it is far better than the old cab.

They feel that LTI or any other competitor would really need to pull something out of a magic hat as in addition to all this, it is extremely fuel efficient than the old cabs.