Sales Brochure for the Patent Motor-Wagen "Benz," Benz & Company, 1899

German engineer Karl Benz built his original Patent-Motorwagen in 1885, widely regarded as the first self-propelled vehicle designed around the internal combustion engine. Benz's design became the basis for the world's first production automobile in 1888. By the end of the 19th century, Benz's company was building more than 500 automobiles a year. Benz merged with Daimler Motors in 1926.