Benz & Cie. was a pioneering automobile manufacturer founded in 1883 by Karl Benz in Mannheim, Germany. It is best known for producing the first practical automobile powered by an internal combustion engine, the Benz Patent Motorwagen, which was patented in 1886. The company played a crucial role in the early development of the automotive industry. In 1926, Benz & Cie. merged with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, founded by Gottlieb Daimler, to form Daimler-Benz AG. This merger led to the creation of the iconic Mercedes-Benz brand, which is renowned for luxury vehicles and innovative engineering. Today, Mercedes-Benz continues to be a leader in the automotive market.