Who is the Owner of Mercedes?

The name “Mercedes-Benz” itself makes us imagine a sleek, powerful vehicle on the road. From the G-Wagon to the E-Class, Mercedes is a brand of success and luxury all across the world. But have you ever wondered who owns this iconic brand? Let us find out who is the owner of Mercedes and its history.

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Who Was the Founder of Mercedes Benz?

The history of Mercedes-Benz starts with two great German engineers, who never even met with each other.

Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler both claimed to be the first two to have invented the gasoline-powered automobile engine. The Benz Patent Motorwagen is the world's first car, presented in Mannheim in 1886 by Karl Benz. 

Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach were working on a petrol engine at about the same time in Stuttgart.

For decades the 2 men managed separate businesses. In 1926, economic pressures rose after World War I and it pushed the two companies to come together. This means basically that the world's oldest two automakers, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. merged into one company which was Daimler-Benz AG.

Why is it Called Mercedes?

Here is a fun fact. The name "Mercedes" is derived from a girl. In 1902, the visionary entrepreneur, who was considered by many as the father of the modern luxury car, Emil Jellinek, worked with Karl Benz to develop a strong race version of the automobile. 

He raced his car under the name "Mercedes," his daughter's name. He never lost a race. It was not long before everyone wanted a car named Mercedes and thus began the brand name.

The Mercedes Benz of Littleton mentions: “In 1899, Jellinek drove in a race in Nice, France under the name “Monsieur Mercedes.” Mércedès was the name of his daughter, whose Spanish Christian name translates to “mercy.” Not long after (In 1901), DMG trademarked the name “Mercedes” and Jellinek began marketing the new vehicle abroad to such high profile families as the Rockefellers, Astors, and Morgans.”

So the "Mercedes" of Mercedes-Benz refers to a real girl, while "Benz" honors Karl Benz, who invented the automobile. The name itself has a long history, more than 130 years.

Who Owns Mercedes-Benz Today?

This is the most interesting aspect! There is no single owner or family of Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz Group AG is a publicly traded company, listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. 

It is similar to the way that people buy shares of Infosys or Reliance in India; anyone in the world is eligible to buy its shares and thus become a part-owner of the company. 

In other words, Mercedes-Benz is owned by big investment companies, banks and millions of normal shareholders in the world. There isn't just one person who makes all the decisions.

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Who is the CEO of Mercedes-Benz Right Now?

Since 2019, Ola Kallenius has been the Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Mercedes-Benz. He is the man today who is tasked with leading the company's future, including the big push into the electric vehicles segment.

The Mercedes-Benz is the tale of two inventors, a girl named Mercedes, a merger that was born of necessity, and a brand that became a dream for millions. 

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Since 2019, Ola Kallenius has been the Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Mercedes-Benz. He is the man today who is tasked with leading the company's future, including the big push into the electric vehicles segment.

The Mercedes-Benz is the tale of two inventors, a girl named Mercedes, a merger that was born of necessity, and a brand that became a dream for millions.