History of AMG

When you consider Mercedes-Benz vehicles you see on Niagara and Niagara-on-the-Lake streets, you likely think of style and performance. But there’s another level—the Mercedes-AMG® line. What is Mercedes-Benz AMG®? Simply put, Mercedes-AMG® is the high-performance branch of the Mercedes-Benz family tree. Learn how the Mercedes-AMG® line came to be with Performance Mercedes-Benz then choose your next high-performing Mercedes-AMG® from Performance Mercedes-Benz. 

Borne From Our Passion for Motor Sports

What is Mercedes-Benz AMG®? The story of AMG® begins with two Daimler-Benz engineers. Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher worked in the Daimler-Benz Group’s development department in the 1960s and prepared the 300 SE racing engine until Mercedes-Benz suspended all motorsport activities. The two young men then decided to go it alone – and quickly established their own engineering firm. While Aufrecht was passionately interested in motorsport, Melcher was well-known for his brilliance in the field of engine development. Their company was regarded as a daring enterprise at that time: Many people saw the modification of something as perfect as a Mercedes-Benz as verging on sacrilege.

The start-up firm—AMG® Engineering Office, Construction and Testing for the Development of Racing Engines—was born on June 1, 1967. The name AMG® comes from the first letters of the founders’ family names followed by G for Großaspach – the town where Aufrecht was born. The small team’s first premises were in a garage in Burgstall until the firm moved to nearby Affalterbach in 1976. This was followed by years of rapid growth: AMG® equipped more and more Mercedes-Benz models with high-performance technology and entered a new field of business with the individualization of customers’ automobiles. The brand became so successful that it quickly attracted the keen interest of Mercedes-Benz AG. A cooperation agreement was signed in 1990 before DaimlerChrysler AG became the majority shareholder in 1999 and the sole shareholder and parent company of AMG® in 2005.

The spirit of the founders – with a clear focus on motorsport and innovative engineering – is still our predominant feature. Daimler AG, our parent company, clearly recognizes that the great expertise, the independent location close to the Mercedes-Benz headquarters, and the dynamic nature of such a focused company are advantages that must be utilized. From the original idea of Aufrecht and Melcher, the company has grown and promoted our internationally successful high-performance brand with more than 1,100 passionate employees, including 500 engineers.

Discover the Power of Mercedes-AMG® at Performance Mercedes-Benz

Knowing what Mercedes-Benz AMG® is might have you thinking of ways to enhance your Pelham drives with more power and finely tuned performance. If so, contact Performance Mercedes-Benz and schedule a test drive of your favorite Mercedes-AMG® model today. Experience the pinnacle of automotive engineering with us.