January 29 is a big date in the history of Daimler. On that fateful day back in 1886, Carl Benz filed his patent for the world’s first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine.

The Detroit News reports that Daimler will pay out 125 million euros ($170 million in United States currency) in bonus money to the company’s 260,000 employees. Split evenly, our math tells us that workers stand to gain about €480 (about $659) each, provided that the employee has been with the company for at least one year. Read more after the jump…

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Other reports, however, have stated that each person’s bonus could be as high as €1,000, or about $1,360 based on current exchange rates.

Regardless of the exact dollar figure, Daimler workers will indeed be happy to receive an extra bonus this year. What’s more, Daimler has reportedly worked out a deal with its employee council to shell out 3,125 euros ($4,315 USD) in bonus money for a successful 2010, so this year’s bonus earnings could be even higher.

By: Chris Shunk

Detroit News