Leading up to WW1, the Daimler company was producing a huge range of body types on a wide selection of chassis, and at the same time producing special on-off designs. Then came the war. Like much of Britain, the company was unprepared for this conflict. After the declaration of war, all available vehicles at the company we commandeered by the War Department, turning luxury limos, touring cars and trucks into “WD” vehicles. The company also changed its operations and increased staff to produce staff cars, trucks and ambulances, etc.
In addition to vehicles, Daimler also produced aircraft, aero engines and other parts plus large shells, and numerous other components of war.
At the end of the war, Britain worked hard to return to normality as quickly as possible, and this included the auto industry, with the first post-war Motor Show scheduled for early 1919.
The next conflict, WWII again saw the Daimler company step up to the wicket. After a couple of decades of development, factory improvements, etc., the company was again bunkered down to production for the war effort, and the associated trials and tribulations suffered by so many companies as a result.
New factories were developed in haste, and the company settled into production of aero engines, gun turrets, gun parts, and a host of other essential supplies for the war machine. One of the most recognisable still today is the Daimler Scout Cars, small maneuverable, agile armoured cars. These were developed very quickly after war was announced and saw active duty in all fields of conflict. I recall my father who, was involved in the desert war, explaining that the epicyclic gear box impressed many, including the enemy, with its ability to withstand the rigors of the desert.
Coventry was severely bombed during the conflict, and the Daimler factories were well targeted, as manufacturers. Daimler got back on track very quickly after the war by using prewar model designs to kick off post-war production, and at the same time getting into development of new models and production areas