2024.

At CES 2024, Mercedes-Benz showcases class-defining digital tech that will massively change the customer experience. For example the MBUX Virtual Assistant, which is the most human-like interface with a Mercedes-Benz to date.

The focus on desirable passenger cars and vans combined with consistent cost discipline led to Group Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) of €19.7 bn for 2023 (2022: €20.5 bn). Group revenue increased to €153.2 bn (2022: €150.0 bn).

Working with renowned institutions, Mercedes-Benz has carried out the world's first X-rayed crash with a real car. Two SID II dummies were also on board. These are test bodies with female anatomy that are specially designed for side impact tests.

The car manufacturer's commitment to a sustainable business strategy extends far beyond products. This was made clear both at the third annual ESG conference and with "Tomorrow drives Mercedes-Benz". The message is: Since the invention of the automobile 138 years ago, Mercedes-Benz has always been driven by tomorrow to further develop and improve individual mobility.

Mercedes-Benz is committed to fundamental democratic values and actively promotes diversity, tolerance and openness. Xenophobia, hatred, anti-Semitism of any kind and extremism are in clear contradiction to the company's values. This stance forms the basis of our daily actions and economic success.

The first all-electric model of the off-road icon "G"  (G 580 with EQ technology, combined energy consumption: 30.3-27.7 kWh/100 km | CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km | CO₂ class: A)* celebrated its global debut at Auto China, and also concurrently in Los Angeles. At Auto China, Mercedes-Benz is also underlining the importance of the Chinese market for the brand and presenting a range of new models and technologies.

At the Annual General Meeting of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, the company outlined its strategic progress. Martin Brudermüller is taking over from Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder as the new Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

In May, the Federal Republic of Germany celebrated its 75th birthday. Never before has there been such a stable democracy on German soil. Mercedes-Benz belongs to this country "with heart and hand", as the national anthem says. The company is celebrating this with very special vehicles, from 1949 to the present day.

Mercedes-Benz is significantly strengthening its development activities in battery technology. The eCampus was opened at the main plant in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, which celebrated its 120th anniversary this year with a big employee party. It is the center of competence for the development of cells and batteries for the future electric vehicles of the brand with the three-pointed star.

The company has started testing highly automated driving systems (SAE Level 4) on designated inner-city roads and highways in Beijing. The aim is to test the hardware and software of future automated driving systems for private vehicles.

With VAN.EA, Mercedes-Benz Vans is implementing the next stage of its electrification strategy. Starting 2026, all newly developed medium and large vans from Mercedes-Benz will be based on the modular, flexible and scalable electric architecture VAN.EA (Mercedes-Benz Van Electric Architecture). The first prototypes are now on public roads.

Mercedes-Benz is introducing the next version of DRIVE PILOT for conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3) in Germany. Under certain conditions, this evolutionary stage can now follow a vehicle on the highway at speeds of up to 95 km/h, offering significantly more added value for customers.

Mercedes me Charge passed the 2 million charging point mark in October 2024, making it one of the largest charging networks in the world. IONNA, the joint venture to build a fast-charging network in North America, officially began operations in February following approval from the regulatory authorities.

Mercedes-Benz has opened Europe's first battery recycling plant with an integrated mechanical-hydrometallurgical process in Kuppenheim in southern Germany. This makes the company the first car manufacturer in the world to close the battery recycling loop with its own in-house facility.

Mercedes-Benz has been supplying cars to the Vatican for 94 years, and the Pope has been using the famous Mercedes-Benz "Popemobiles" based on the G-Class for around 45 of those. Now, for the first time, the Mercedes-Benz Popemobile is going all-electric.

During a first drive at the Mercedes-Benz test site in Immendingen, Mercedes Benz CEO Ola Källenius provided detailed insights into the next generation of the CLA, which will make its debut in 2025.