Martin Schulz, CEO and president of Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia and head of region for Southeast Asia; Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor; and Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, chairman and owner of The Edge Media Group (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia)
Mercedes-Benz has reached a historic milestone, celebrating 140 years since founder and inventor Carl Benz patented a three-wheeled “vehicle powered by a gas engine” in 1886 — an invention widely recognised as the world’s first automobile. Today, the brand remains at the forefront of engineering, driven by performance, excellence and dedication to its customers.
In January, three new Mercedes-Benz S-Class models departed from Stuttgart, Germany, on an ambitious global journey to bring its anniversary revelry directly to fans worldwide. Spanning 140 places and more than 50,000km, the route traverses Europe, North and South America, Asia, Australia and Africa.
The global tour arrived in Malaysia on May 30, taking over the House of Mercedes-Benz at KLCC Square for the weekend. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor graced the event as guest of honour to mark the fleet’s stopover in Kuala Lumpur. His Royal Highness was welcomed by Martin Schulz, CEO and president of Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia and head of region for Southeast Asia, alongside The Edge Media Group chairman and owner Tan Sri Tong Kooi Ong, and publisher and CEO Datuk Ho Kay Tat.
“‘140 Years of Innovation’ for Mercedes-Benz is not just a milestone, it is a testament to what happens when passion, precision and purpose come together,” said Schulz. “For Malaysia, this celebration holds special meaning. Through the ‘140 Years. 140 Places.’ journey, we are proud to celebrate and share the rich legacy and heritage of our brand with Malaysians — a legacy built over decades through Mercedes-Benz’s enduring commitment to fostering meaningful and lasting relationships with its customers.”
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The brand’s presence in the country stretches back more than 100 years. In the early 20th century, the Sultan of Johor was believed to be the first in Malaya to own a Mercedes-Benz. Official sales began in 1951 through Cycle & Carriage. By 1968, locally assembled passenger cars marked the beginning of domestic production and, in 1983, Malaysia became the first country in the world after Germany to assemble the S-Class. This momentum continued with the launch of DaimlerChrysler Malaysia in 2003, which later evolved into Mercedes Benz Malaysia in 2008.
The two-day event offered an immersive experience, showcasing rare classic vehicles alongside high-performance Mercedes-AMG models. For Formula One fans, a major highlight was the Mercedes MGP W01, the car that marked the historic 2010 collaboration between Mercedes-AMG and Petronas. As title and technical partner, Petronas’ Fluid Technology Solutions have powered the team to eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships and seven Drivers’ Championships. The ultimate bonus? Michael Schumacher’s actual race suit was on display.
Furthermore, guests were treated to a glimpse of the new S-Class ahead of its local release. Meticulously refined to retain its segment benchmark status, the latest model features more than 50% newly developed components — around 2,700 parts in total. It debuts a striking front design with a 20% larger illuminated grille, while the state-of-the-art MB.OS supercomputer and MBUX Superscreen deliver a seamless digital experience. Paired with the renowned comfort of AIRMATIC air suspension, the S-Class offers an exceptionally refined drive.
As for the travelling trio, their rear windscreens now feature a vivid orange and navy emblem of the twin towers, a vibrant addition to the collection of postal stickers gathered from every global stop. This commemorative token caps off a highly successful Malaysian sojourn as the fleet continues its journey, carrying the spirit of Mercedes-Benz’s anniversary festivities to the rest of the world.
VIPs alongside Mercedes-Benz’s Christian Schmidt, senior R&D engineer (second from right), and Fredrik von Bothmer, director of operations and testing in R&D (right), who travelled from Stuttgart (Photo: Patrick Goh/The Edge)
This article first appeared on June 15, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
