Better well stolen …
We can quietly say that Mercedes has made the automatic lever on the steering column large, at least in Europe. Today it is even about a very specific automatic lever, which we encountered in all kinds of brands of all kinds of different brands in recent years.
‘Column Shifters’, as a gear lever on the steering column is also called, have traditionally been an American affair. In the distant past everything was different, but in more recent times it was mainly Mercedes that seized the benefits of this concept. With cars that are merely available as a vending machine, a automatic handle on the steering column is released a lot of space on the center console. At Mercedes, it was decided around 2010 to move automatic lovels more and more to the steering column, somewhat dependent on model and (initially) motorization. A few years later they switched to a new type of machine lever, which could be found in almost every Mercedes about ten years ago.
Copy
Nothing wrong with that, because the thing looked tight and worked well. Down for ‘d’, up for ‘r’ and pressing the end for ‘P: child can do the laundry. In terms of design, this lever was more or less a copy of the lever on the other side, a combined copy for direction indicators, high beam and wipers. Mercedes still uses this classification, although the Germans have now switched to a different design for the lever.
But why are we so fascinated by that ‘old’ lever of ‘Das Haus’? That is not due to the lever itself, but because of what has happened to this specific control lever over the years. We found him in the Tesla Model S since 2012, although that is still explained by the considerable share that Mercedes’ parent company Daimler had in Tesla at the time.
On to China
Also in 2025 we come across the now ten-year-old Mercedes-Heezel in countless models, and that is usually a lot more difficult to explain. The latest example is the Mazda 6th. Despite that brand name comes from China, and they are now really fond of this Mercedes design.
For example, we also find a similar lever in multiple models of Xpeng and Leap engine, while AIWays uses the basic design with other functions in combination with a separate and automatic button placed between the seats. In any case, most brands that opted for the ‘Mercedes-Heezel’ have also devised a variation on the left lever for wipers and other functions. In the same German style, of course.
In addition to their origins, the brands involved have nothing to do with each other, and a clear link with Mercedes is also missing. In many cases it will therefore be more copy behavior than license production. Yet this is striking, because we cannot remember any other car part that is being taken over or copied so massively. You do?
Better Well Stolen …
We can safery say that Mercedes has made the automatic transmission lever on the steering column Big, at Least in Europe. Today it is just as about a very specific automatic transmission liver, which we have encountered in recent years with all child or brands of all child or different brands.
‘Column Shifters’, As A Gear Lever on the Steering Column is also called, have traditionally leg Mainly an American Affair. In The Distant Past Everything was different, but in more recently Times It was Mainly Mercedes That Saw The Advantages of This Concept. In Cars that are only available as automatic, an automatic transmission lever on the steering column mill up a lot of space on the center console. At Mercedes, around 2010, they decided to move automatic transmission Levers more and more or to the steering column, Somewhat Dependent on the Model and (initial) motorization. A few years later, they switched to a new type of automatic transmission liver, which was found in Almost Every Mercedes about ten years ago.
Copy
Nothing Wrong With That, Because The Thing Looked Sleek and Worked Well. Down for ‘d’, up for ‘r’ and press on the end for ‘P: Child’s play. In Terms of Design, this liver was more or less a copy of the liver on the other side, a combined version for indicators, high beam and windshield wipers. Mercedes Still Uses This Layout, Although the Germans Have now switched to a different design for the liver.
But why are we so fascinated by that ‘old’ lever from ‘das haus’? That’s not because of the liver itelf, but because of what has happened to this specific control lever over the years. We already found it in the tesla model s from 2012, althegh that can be explained by the significant share that mercedes’ parent company Daimler had in Tesla at the time.
On To China
Just in 2025, we will come across that now more than ten-year-old mercedes lever in Numerous models, and that is usual Much More Difficult to Explain. The latest example is The Mazda 6th. Despite the Brand Name, It Comes from China, and They are really long distance of this Mercedes Design there.
A Similar Lever can also be found in Several Models from Xpeng and Leap Motor, For Example, While Aiways Uses the Basic Design with Other Functions in Combination with A Sparatic Button Placed Between the Seats. In any case, most brands that opted for the ‘mercedes liver’ also came up with a variation on the left lever for windshield wipers and other functions. In The Same German Style, or Course.
The Brands Involved Have Nothing to Do with Each Other Exception for Their Origin, and there is also no clear link with Mercedes. In Many Cases It Will Therefore Be More about Copying Behavior Than About Licensed Production. Still, this is striking, because we cannot think of another car part that is so massively tasks about or copied. Do you?