Brabus GmbH (stylized in uppercase) is a German high-performance automotive aftermarket tuning company founded in 1977 in Bottrop (Ruhr area). Owned by the company Mercedes-Benz Group since 1999 . Brabus specialises in Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and Smart vehicles, although in 2022 it also tuned two Porsches and even a Rolls-Royce. Brabus is the largest Mercedes-Benz tuner after Mercedes-AMG, a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Group since the 1990s. History The company began with Bodo Buschmann wanting to customise his cars. Discovering most existing customisers could not grasp his vision or meet his requirements, he started his own brand. Brabus GmbH was registered in 1977 in West Germany with Buschmann's friend Klaus Brackmann to satisfy German law requiring a company to be established with at least two people. The company name was derived from the first three characters of the founders' surnames (Brackmann, Buschmann). Following the company's foundation, Brackmann sold his company shares to Buschmann for 100 euros. In 2012, Brabus had started building its third factory in Bottrop. Operations Brabus's primary focus is to achieve maximum car performance through the increase of horsepower and speed. Customers can either buy cars from Brabus, or send in their cars to be customized and/or overhauled. Customers ordering a car directly involves Brabus purchasing a particular model from Mercedes and then modifying it according to the customer's requests. Brabus is known for providing expensive tuning. Brabus also offers cosmetic modifications including low profile spoilers, body kits, carbon fiber splitters, and multi-piece alloy wheels. Other upgrades include racing LSDs, open racing exhaust systems, twelve-piston disc brakes, and engine remapping. Customers can also have complete engine overhauls, or have new crate engines from AMG modified for them. Brabus engines range from small K4 blocks for SLK roadsters and CLK-Class to the twin-turbo blocks for the S-Class. The company also provides improvements to the interior from custom upholstery, gauges, shift knobs, pedals, and trim to various electronics such as wider LCD screens for the Maybach. Subsidiaries smart-BRABUS GmbH: It is a 50-50 joint venture of Daimler AG and BRABUS GmbH, founded in 2001. BRABUS Classic: It is a dealer and restorer of older Mercedes-Benz automobiles. BRABUS Service GmbH: It is an authorized Mercedes-Benz service partner of Daimler AG. BRABUS Yachting: It is a boats and ships customizer. BRABUS automotive GmbH: It is a concept vehicle developer. The production facility was in a new plant erected in 2014. CRD Car