Who Owns Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz is owned by Mercedes-Benz Group AG, a publicly traded company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The German automotive giant operates as one of the world’s premier luxury vehicle manufacturers, with approximately one billion outstanding shares held by investors globally.

The company concluded 2025 with solid momentum, delivering 2.16 million cars and vans worldwide. Under CEO Ola Källenius’s leadership, Mercedes-Benz launched its biggest product and technology program in company history. Mercedes-AMG achieved record deliveries of 145,000 performance vehicles, while the G-Class reached best-ever sales of 49,700 units. Electrified vehicles now account for 40% of European deliveries.

Who Owns Mercedes?

Mercedes-Benz Group AG Ownership Structure

Mercedes-Benz Group AG operates as a publicly traded corporation with a diverse shareholder base spanning institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds, and strategic partners. The company was previously known as Daimler AG until February 2022, when it rebranded following the spin-off of its commercial vehicle division into Daimler Truck Holding AG.

Public Trading and Share Distribution

Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker MBG, Mercedes-Benz maintains approximately one billion outstanding shares distributed among global investors. Public and institutional investors collectively hold around 67.5% of total shares, making them the majority stakeholders in the luxury automaker. This structure ensures no single entity exercises outright control over corporate decisions.

Strategic Investor Relationships

The ownership framework reflects Mercedes-Benz’s strategic positioning in global markets. Chinese investors and Middle Eastern sovereign funds maintain significant stakes, providing the company with strong partnerships in key growth regions while preserving operational independence through its diversified shareholder composition.

Largest Shareholders of Mercedes

Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC)

The Chinese BAIC Group currently holds 9.98% of Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s voting rights, positioning it as the largest individual shareholder. This partnership began in 2013 and reflects the strategic importance of China as Mercedes-Benz’s major market. BAIC operates the Beijing Benz Automotive joint venture, which manufactures Mercedes vehicles for the Chinese market at facilities in Beijing.

Li Shufu and Geely

Chinese billionaire Li Shufu, founder of Geely Automobile Holdings, maintains a 9.69% equity interest through Tenaciou3 Prospect Investment Limited. He acquired this stake in 2018, becoming the second-largest individual shareholder. Li Shufu’s investment reflects confidence in Mercedes-Benz’s premium positioning and technological capabilities, creating synergies between European luxury expertise and Asian manufacturing scale.

Kuwait Investment Authority

The Kuwait Investment Authority, one of the world’s oldest sovereign wealth funds, holds approximately 5.57% of Mercedes-Benz shares. This investment dates back to 1974, making it one of the longest-standing institutional relationships in the company’s history. The Kuwaiti fund’s continued stake demonstrates confidence in Mercedes-Benz’s long-term value proposition.

Treasury Shares and Institutional Investors

Mercedes-Benz Group AG holds approximately 7.26% of its own shares as treasury stock, following share buyback programs aimed at returning value to shareholders. The remaining shares are distributed among numerous institutional investors, pension funds, and retail shareholders worldwide, similar to the ownership structures seen at competitors like Volkswagen Group and Ford Motor Company.

History of Mercedes Co-founders

Karl Benz: Father of the Automobile

Karl Friedrich Benz, born November 25, 1844, in Karlsruhe, Germany, revolutionized transportation by designing and building the world’s first practical automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. His Benz Patent-Motorwagen, completed in 1885 and patented on January 29, 1886, represents the birth of the modern automobile. Benz founded Benz and Cie. in Mannheim, which became the world’s first automobile plant and largest of its day.

Gottlieb Daimler: Engineering Visionary

Gottlieb Daimler, born March 17, 1834, in Schorndorf, Germany, developed the high-speed petrol engine that made automobiles commercially viable. Working alongside engineer Wilhelm Maybach, Daimler created the first motorcycle in 1885 and the first four-wheeled automobile in 1886. He founded Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft in 1890, which eventually produced vehicles under the Mercedes name, honoring the daughter of Austrian businessman Emil Jellinek. Daimler died in 1900, decades before the historic merger.

Formation of Daimler-Benz

Though Benz and Daimler never met personally despite working just 60 miles apart, their companies merged on June 28, 1926, forming Daimler-Benz AG. This union created the foundation for what would become the prestigious Maybach luxury brand under the Mercedes-Benz umbrella, continuing the engineering excellence established by both pioneers.

Who Is on the Board of Directors for Mercedes?

Executive Leadership

Ola Källenius serves as Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, a position he has held since 2019. Under his leadership, the company has accelerated its electrification strategy and launched the most extensive product offensive in company history. Källenius joined Mercedes-Benz in 1993 and previously led the high-performance AMG division.

Harald Wilhelm serves as Chief Financial Officer, overseeing Finance, Controlling, and Mercedes-Benz Mobility operations. His financial stewardship has guided the company through market challenges while maintaining investment in future technologies.

Operations and Technology

Jörg Burzer transitioned to the role of Chief Technology Officer and Development and Procurement lead as of December 2025, succeeding Markus Schäfer. Michael Schiebe, former CEO of Mercedes-AMG, assumed responsibility for Production, Quality, and Supply Chain Management in late 2025. These appointments reflect the company’s focus on integrating advanced technology across manufacturing operations, similar to strategies employed by General Motors and other major automakers.

Sales and Regional Markets

Mathias Geisen leads Marketing and Sales after successfully transforming the Mercedes-Benz Vans division. Britta Seeger transitioned to Human Relations and Labour Director in 2025, bringing her expertise from eight years leading global sales. Oliver Thöne oversees the Greater China division, managing the company’s most important international market.

Governance and Integrity

Olaf Schick joined the Board of Management in October 2025, responsible for Integrity, Governance, and Sustainability. He brings experience from Continental AG, where he served as a board member responsible for finance and legal matters. This role ensures Mercedes-Benz maintains its commitment to ethical business practices and environmental responsibility.

Supervisory Board Oversight

Dr. Martin Brudermüller serves as Chairman of the Supervisory Board. The twenty-member board includes representatives from global industry leaders and employee representatives as required by German co-determination law. This governance structure mirrors practices seen across German manufacturers working with suppliers like Continental and Magna International.

FAQs

Who is the owner of Mercedes-Benz?

Mercedes-Benz is owned by Mercedes-Benz Group AG, a publicly traded company. Major shareholders include BAIC Group (9.98%), Li Shufu (9.69%), and Kuwait Investment Authority (5.57%).

Who is the CEO of Mercedes-Benz?

Ola Källenius serves as Chairman of the Board of Management and CEO since 2019, leading the company’s electrification strategy and global operations.

When did Daimler AG become Mercedes-Benz Group AG?

Daimler AG officially rebranded to Mercedes-Benz Group AG on February 1, 2022, following the spin-off of Daimler Truck Holding AG.

Who founded Mercedes-Benz?

Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler independently invented the automobile in 1886. Their companies merged in 1926 to form Daimler-Benz AG, predecessor to today’s Mercedes-Benz.

Is Mercedes-Benz a publicly traded company?

Yes, Mercedes-Benz Group AG trades on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under ticker MBG, with approximately one billion shares held by global investors.