Mercedes-Benz at 100: Tradition, Transformation and Technology Leadership

Mercedes-Benz marks its centenary in 2026, tracing its origins to the 1926 merger that created Daimler-Benz AG on 28–29 June. The brand’s iconic three-pointed star inside a laurel wreath—registered on 21 August 1926—still adorns every Mercedes-Benz today and remains one of the world’s most recognizable and valuable emblems. The merger itself was back-dated to 1 January 1926, following two years of cooperation as an Interessengemeinschaft that had already filed the Mercedes-Benz word mark on 25 April 1925. The new company united the legacies of automotive pioneers Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler, whose 1886 patent for the Benz Patent-Motorwagen and Daimler’s four-wheeled motor carriage that same year launched 140 years of innovation. At the Berlin Motor Show from 29 October to 7 November 1926, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its first joint programme: the 8/38 PS (W 02) and 12/55 PS (W 03) passenger cars, plus the sporty K model destined for Tourenwagen racing before becoming a top-tier catalogue model in April 1927. Commercial offerings included the L 1, L 2 and L 5 trucks (1–5 t payload), low-frame chassis N 1 and N 2, and the front-steering NJ 5 chassis for buses and trucks. From the outset, Mercedes-Benz combined technical excellence, quality, reliability and innovation, a formula that quickly established global prestige. By the 1950s the brand expanded exports worldwide, while the 1960s and 1970s cemented its reputation for safety breakthroughs and luxurious comfort. The 1980s brought new segments and a concerted push into international markets. In the 2000s, intelligent driver-assistance systems, digital experiences and modern design redefined the brand’s image. Today, Mercedes-Benz fuses its historic DNA with electrification, digitalization and sustainability, positioning itself as both a technological and cultural platform. Beyond cars, the brand extends its design authority into lifestyle, architecture and urban living through Mercedes-Benz Collection and Mercedes-Benz Places, which is building a city-within-a-city in Dubai. For 2026, Mercedes-Benz is staging the largest model offensive in its history alongside a 140-stop global tour of three new S-Class sedans to celebrate 140 years since the automobile’s invention, starting and finishing in Stuttgart. The Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH preserves the brand’s classical fleet and archives, ensuring the past fuels the future.