took up his new responsibilities as chief engineer at Daimler-Benz AG on
1 January 1929, assuming the role from the previous incumbent, Ferdinand Porsche. The two men had worked on an equal footing in a common split-site design department – Nibel in Mannheim, Porsche in Stuttgart – since the community of interests was set up in 1924 between Benz & Cie. and Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG). Nibel was a strong advocate of the full union between the two companies that subsequently took place in 1926, and under the leadership of Wilhelm Kissel, chairman of the board of management, he was a key protagonist in the events that brought about the successful merger between the world’s two oldest carmakers.

As chief engineer at Benz & Cie. and later Daimler-Benz AG, Hans Nibel (1880 - 1934) played an influential part in shaping products at both companies. At the same time he did not commit himself to specific technical fields, demonstrating both versatility and innovative ability. He had a decisive influence on many important innovations in chassis engineering, promoted the use of the diesel engine in road vehicles during his years at Benz & Cie. and also designed aero engines. Among the vehicles he designed were the Lightning Benz (1909), the 770 Grand Mercedes (1930), the Mercedes-Benz 170 (1932) and the W 25 Silver Arrow racing car (1934).