It might seem unusual, but owners of Mercedes-Benz models are frequently finding fancy signatures etched onto their windshields. Naturally, this is perplexing many owners - whose signature is it, and why is it there?
Now we can't seem to find an official statement from Mercedes itself, but many owners are already clued up on the mysterious signature, and it does make sense. The signature is actually that of Gottlieb Daimler. He is the founder of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, DMG, which is the company
that owns Mercedes-Benz, and always has done - although it's been called Mercedes-Benz Group AG since 2022. In 1883, Daimler had developed a small high-speed internal combustion engine and was well on his way to securing a patent for the design, and the rest, as they say, is history.
While it's clear that Daimler has forever been associated with Mercedes-Benz, it still doesn't explain why his particularly fancy signature appears on the windshields of current models from the luxurious German brand. The general consensus is that owners can consider this signature as a stamp of quality and assurance, as it signifies that the windshield is a genuine Mercedes-Benz part, and not a cheaper imitation. It should also be noted that Daimler's isn't the only signature to appear on windshields, as some will sport a Karl Benz signature or classic Mercedes script, although these are perhaps easier explained, due to a more obvious connection to the brand.
Read more: 10 Luxury Cars That Are Cheap To Maintain
Here's Why Mercedes-Benz Is So Keen To Certify Authentic Parts
It seems quite far-fetched to be finishing each windshield with an elaborate and historical signature, where so many other manufacturers would surely just stamp it with a part number or modern logo. So, exactly why is Mercedes-Benz doing this?
It might be down to the fact that Mercedes-Benz has been clamping down on counterfeit automotive products in recent years, going so far as to even set up its own brand protection board. Other brands like Ferrari also take counterfeit cars and parts very seriously. Officially titled the "Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG for Integrity, Governance & Sustainability", this group is dedicated to stopping fraud in its tracks and taking counterfeit items out of the market. According to Mercedes-Benz, more than 1.5 million counterfeit Mercedes parts were seized by authorities in 2024 alone, as a result of 793 raids. A member of the board, Renata Jungo Brüngger, said this about the importance of the project: "Originals stand for tested quality. They meet technical, environmental, and occupational safety requirements, ensuring road safety. Therefore, we work closely with authorities to prevent the spread of counterfeits. Through our extensive fight against the counterfeit industry, we protect road users from serious accidents, safeguard customers from deception, and strengthen trust in our brand".
While these items naturally won't all be windshields, it's safe to assume that this extra layer of authenticity will make counterfeit items easier to spot in the future. Hopefully, it will also cause manufacturers of cheap copies to pause and perhaps rethink before they attempt to profit from faking genuine Mercedes products.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
