Confusingly, the name Daimler is used by two completely separate groups of car manufacturers.
The name Daimler derives from Gottlieb Daimler, the German engineer. Gottlieb Daimler patented an engine design in the late 1800s and later became involved in car design. This was part of the origin of Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, (meaning "Daimler Motor Company"). The name Daimler was last used for a German built car in 1908. In 1924 the company merged to form the Daimler-Benz car company. In 1998 Daimler-Benz took over Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler.
The UK patent rights to the Gottlieb Daimler's engine were purchased in 1893 by Frederick Simms, who formed a new English company. This took the name of the "Daimler Motor Syndicate". In 1896 Simms and Harry Lawson moved into car production in the city of Coventry as the "Daimler Motor Company". From 1910 it was controlled by the BSA company. In 1960 it was sold to Jaguar. The name was subsequently used to designate the more luxurious Jaguar models. Less luxuriously, the UK Daimler company was also involved in bus production.
In 1989/90 the Ford Motor Company acquired Jaguar and with it the right to use the Daimler name on a car. In 1996 Jaguar produced a "Daimler Century" model to celebrate 100 years of motoring. Despite the potential confusion with DaimlerChrysler, the name was still in use by Jaguar in 2001.
DaimlerChrysler
Jaguar (Ford)
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See also