Gaggenau (Germany) - AllCarIndex

Gaggenau was a German automobile manufacturer that operated from 1905 to 1911. The company originated as Siiddeutsche Automobilfabrik GmbH in Gaggenau, which was established by Bergmann’s Industriewerke. Initially, the company continued the production of vehicles under the name Safe, which had been previously associated with the T.TT.TPIJT model.

In 1907, Gaggenau expanded its lineup to include more powerful models, introducing the 18/22 PS and 24/36 PS versions. The company also developed the Types 35 and 60, which featured modern engineering with a single overhead camshaft driven by a vertical shaft. These models were considered among the most advanced designs available at the time.

Gaggenau gained historical significance when one of its vehicles became the first car to traverse Africa from East to West, completing the journey from Dar-es-Salaam to Swakopmund, a distance of 630 miles. In 1907, the company was acquired by Benz, which shifted the focus of production to commercial vehicles. Despite this change, the Types 35 and 60 continued to be manufactured for a brief period before the brand was ultimately phased out.