140 Years of Innovation.

Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes Benz has dedicated itself to constantly innovate and to create the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world's first automobile in 1886 to today's intelligent and safe electric vehicles.

As the inventor of the automobile, Mercedes-Benz holds a truly unique position in automotive history – a legacy established 140 years ago with the development of the world’s first automobile. Today, that same pioneering spirit drives us to unite engineering leadership, human-centric design and seamless technology to create the world’s most desirable cars. Currently underway, the biggest launch programme in the history of Mercedes-Benz is proof of this enduring commitment.
Ola Källenius
Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG

“140 Years of Innovation”.

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by driving three new S-Class saloons on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide. Each place highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence.

The new S-Class.

The 140th anniversary year is defined by the biggest product launch programme in the brand’s history. It starts with the world premiere of the new S-Class on 29 January 2026. Over the next two years, Mercedes-Benz will launch more than 40 new models that blend tradition with innovation and set new standards across all segments. Every model embodies the brand’s promise: to build the world’s most desirable cars. Today’s Mercedes-Benz innovations carry heritage into the future – as a brand that understands progress programmatically, focuses on the needs of people and society, and continually redefines individual mobility.

The new S-Class.

Most comprehensive update and 140 years of innovation: more than 50 per cent of the car is newly-developed, updated and refined, the new S-Class delivers the most comprehensive update within one S-Class generation.

To the new S-Class

Recording of the world premiere.

Click here for the recording of the world premiere of the new S-Class at the Mercedes-Benz Museum.

To the recording

Mercedes Benz is enabling a robotaxi ecosystem with industry-leading partners built on the advanced technology architecture of the new S Class.

Future robotaxi ecosystem.

Working with technology leaders such as NVIDIA and Momenta paves the way for secure and technologically advanced robotaxi services.

The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE.

The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz combines the best of two worlds: the driving comfort and handling of a limousine with the spaciousness, versatility and flexibility of an MPV. Thanks to its efficiency, new 800-volt technology and high-performance charging, the VLE is the ideal fit for every journey.

The all-new electric Mercedes-Benz VLE.

With the all-new electric VLE, Mercedes-Benz is ushering in a new era. As the first vehicle to be built on the newly developed modular, flexible and scalable Van Architecture, the result is a completely redefined Grand Limousine.

To the new VLE

Recording of the world premiere.

Click here for the recording of the world premiere of the new VLE in Stuttgart.

To the rebroadcast of the world premiere

From history to the future.

For more than 140 years, inventive spirit, a commitment to quality and a culture of innovation have carried Mercedes-Benz to the forefront of automotive development. Today’s Mercedes-Benz innovations take this heritage into the future – as a brand that understands progress as a guiding principle, focuses on the needs of people and society, and continually redefines individual mobility.

Vehicle icons from 140 years.

Every single model since 1886 represents the strengths of the brand in its own way. Time and again, individual models and model series stand out. They become automotive icons and represent in a special way what defines the brand – the innovative strength of Mercedes-Benz.

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