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This Day in Automotive History: October 12

1. 1901: First Mercedes is Delivered: On this day, the first Mercedes was delivered to its buyer, Emil Jellinek, a European automobile dealer. The car was named after Jellinek’s daughter, Mercedes. This brand would go on to become one of the world’s most well-known luxury car manufacturers, playing a pivotal role in the evolution of the automobile industry.
2. 1923: Land Speed Record Broken: Malcolm Campbell broke the land speed record at Saltburn Sands in the United Kingdom in his 350HP Sunbeam. He hit a speed of 146.16 mph, setting the stage for a career that would see him break his own record multiple times over the next two decades.
3. 1933: Alfa Romeo Monoposto Makes Its Debut: Alfa Romeo’s Tipo B Monoposto race car made its racing debut at the Italian Grand Prix. It was the world’s first single-seater race car, setting a new standard for Grand Prix design. In its first race, it managed a solid third-place finish.
4. 1964: USSR’s “Zhiguli” Factory Begins Production: In collaboration with Fiat, the USSR opened the Volzhsky Avtomobilny Zavod (VAZ) auto plant. Its first car, the VAZ-2101, would later become known as the Lada outside of Russia. This marked a significant move in the automotive industry, establishing Russia’s credentials in the mass production of cars.
5. 1979: Last AMC Pacer Rolls Off the Assembly Line: The AMC Pacer, an oddball car that captured attention with its unique design, saw its last unit produced on this day. While not a commercial success in its entirety, the Pacer earned cult status and remains a symbol of 1970s American automotive design.
6. 1988: Enzo Ferrari Museum Opens: To honor the legacy of the iconic carmaker Enzo Ferrari, a museum dedicated to his life and work opened in Modena, Italy. This museum showcases some of the most iconic Ferraris ever made and tells the story of the man behind the legendary brand.
7. Asian Automotive History – 1982: Hyundai Excel Introduced: On this day, the South Korean company Hyundai unveiled the Excel. It was their first attempt to enter the US market. Priced competitively, the car was initially successful and set the foundation for Hyundai’s growth in international markets.
8. Thailand Automotive History – 1996: Thai Summit Group Expands: On this day, the Thai Summit Group, one of Thailand’s biggest auto parts manufacturers, announced a significant expansion in its operations. This move was reflective of Thailand’s growing importance in the global auto industry, which saw many car manufacturers setting up production bases in the country, often referred to as the “Detroit of Asia.”
9. 2005: 300 Millionth GM Vehicle Produced: General Motors celebrated the production of its 300 millionth vehicle, a landmark for the company. The vehicle was a blue Chevrolet Malibu, and it rolled off the assembly line in Kansas City, Kansas, highlighting GM’s position as one of the world’s largest car manufacturers.
10. 2010: Tesla Unveils the Model S: Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla Model S prototype at the SpaceX rocket factory. With its long-range capabilities and sleek design, the Model S was a leap forward in making electric cars desirable to mainstream consumers. It would go on to play a crucial role in the push toward electric vehicle adoption.

The automotive world is rich in history, with significant events and milestones shaping the industry throughout the years. From breakthrough designs to technological advancements, October 12th stands as a day when several key moments in automotive history took place. The evolution of the car industry in Asia, and Thailand in particular, also reminds us of the global nature of this field and the interconnectedness of its stories.