A Frenzied Launch

In June 1906, the headquarters of the Deutsche Welfare Lottery on Linden Avenue in Berlin became the center of curiosity for all who passed by. The once unassuming walls of the building were now draped in a thick black canvas, hiding whatever lay behind. The mystery piqued the interest of many, and whispers began to spread among the curious onlookers. Some even approached to inquire about the sudden change, only to be told that the reason would be revealed in due time.

Then, on June 18th, as people strolled by once again, the black canvas had vanished. In its place stood a massive poster, grabbing the attention of everyone in sight. The left side featured a handsome young man, confidently riding a powerful motorcycle, radiating charisma and strength. On the right, a beautiful blonde woman sat astride a smaller, more elegant motorcycle painted in bright red, exuding charm and allure. It was impossible to ignore; the contrast between the rugged, masculine appeal of the man and the dainty, graceful presence of the woman spoke to the diversity of the audience these motorcycles aimed to captivate.

"God! What is that? A motorcycle? How can a motorcycle be so handsome?" one young man exclaimed, his jaw nearly dropping as he gazed at the poster. His fascination was so intense that it seemed like nothing else mattered—his only desire was to get his hands on one of those motorcycles, as soon as possible.

"My goodness! It's so beautiful and cute! Does anyone know where I can buy one? I must have one!" another young woman squealed, captivated by the vibrant design.

Crowds began to gather around the poster, forming small clusters of excited conversations. People were astounded by the sight of a motorcycle that not only looked better than any they had ever seen but also seemed to embody a sense of freedom and adventure. The buzz around these two motorcycles quickly became the talk of the town. In no time, it was clear that everyone had heard about the new models, even if they had never seen a motorcycle in person before.

The same posters appeared in major cities across Germany, not just in Berlin. The buzz was widespread, with the German Welfare Lottery Company displaying tickets for these motorcycles at various betting stations across the country, ensuring that the two motorcycles were already well-known to the general public.

Daimler AG didn't stop at posters, either. They also took out full-page advertisements in the biggest newspapers in Germany. The ads not only highlighted the motorcycles' specifications but also teased the official sales launch. A single look at the ad was enough to convince anyone that these motorcycles were unlike anything else on the market.

"Oh my god! How is it possible that the motorcycles won't go on sale until next month? I've already fallen in love with them—I want one now!" A young man, his voice tinged with impatience, ran his hands through his hair, frustrated by the wait.

"Those damn manufacturers, can't they be faster? Don't they know they're torturing us with this waiting?" A young woman muttered under her breath, clearly irritated by the delay.

Despite not being available for purchase yet, the motorcycles were already a phenomenon. The demand was palpable, and the excitement was overwhelming. People were counting down the days to the launch, and some even expressed regret for not being able to buy one sooner.

Daimler was fully aware of the public's eagerness. In the month leading up to the official release, the company had been busy preparing for the launch. They rented or bought retail spaces in key cities across Germany, ensuring they would have storefronts ready to display the motorcycles. These stores weren't just for sales—they were also designed to offer maintenance services, setting the foundation for what would eventually evolve into the modern-day 4S dealership model.

Finally, on July 18th, the moment of truth arrived. The first batch of 20,000 motorcycles—10,000 for men and 10,000 for women—were released onto the market. The price for each was set at 1,500 marks for the men's motorcycle and 1,000 marks for the women's version. While these prices were steep—equivalent to about two years' worth of an ordinary worker's salary—they did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the masses. The excitement had already built to a fever pitch, and the motorcycles were already selling like hotcakes.

"Good heavens! That's so expensive!" one man remarked, his voice full of disbelief as he stared at the price tags.

"Idiot, of course, it's expensive—what do you expect from a motorcycle like that? If you don't plan on buying one, then get out of the way!" another man called from behind, his voice impatient.

"Who said I won't buy it? I'm just complaining. Of course, I want one. Everyone does. If you don't get one now, who knows when you'll be able to buy one in the future," the first young man muttered, realizing the urgency. He knew that if he didn't act now, the next batch could be sold out in no time.

Sure enough, the first batch of 20,000 motorcycles sold out in a single day. This rapid sell-out left not only Daimler's executives stunned but also sent shockwaves through the motorcycle industry. Competitors, who had initially doubted the success of such an expensive motorcycle, found themselves dumbfounded. They had predicted failure, believing the high prices would be too much for the average German to bear. But they were proven wrong in the most dramatic fashion.

The rush to buy wasn't just limited to the early adopters. Those who had hesitated, unsure whether they could afford the steep prices, found themselves kicking themselves in regret. As the motorcycles sold out in record time, many who had delayed their purchases realized that waiting could cost them the opportunity to own one at all. People flooded Daimler with letters, begging for the next batch to be released sooner, not wanting to miss out on what had already become a coveted item.

The following day, Paul Daimler, visibly shaken but pleased with the success, rushed to Berlin to report the staggering sales figures to Oscar.

"Your Highness, it's unbelievable. All 20,000 motorcycles were sold out in just one day! When did the purchasing power of the German people become so strong?" Paul said, his voice a mixture of awe and excitement.

Oscar, however, remained calm. "Mr. Daimler, this is only the beginning. The real magic will come from the free advertising provided by the people who bought our motorcycles. They'll be talking about them to everyone they know. Our motorcycles will soon be famous not just in Germany but all over Europe and the world. Are you and the company ready for the influx of orders?"

"Your Highness, the entire company is ready," Paul replied confidently. "After the first batch of 20,000 motorcycles, we still have another 20,000 in stock. Once we expand the production scale, we can manufacture 40,000 motorcycles every month. We'll be able to keep up with the demand."

Oscar raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful. "Is 40,000 motorcycles enough? I suspect even the demand across Europe may exceed that number."