Mercedes-Benz, a German automaker of luxury cars, is known for its introduction of several safety and technological innovations that are now widely used is cars today. Anti-lock brakes were first used in 1978 on the Mercedes-Benz. In addition, the first air bags offered on automobiles in the United States were on the Mercedes-Benz in 1986. This innovation goes beyond safety. In 2003 the car company introduced the world first 7-speed automatic transmission, 7G-Tronic.