Mercedes-Benz’s global anniversary tour, marking 140 years since Carl Benz patented the first automobile, has arrived in Malaysia on 30- and 31-May 2026.
The event was held at the House of Mercedes-Benz KLCC and also marks the first public appearance of the facelifted W223 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in Malaysia.
F1 fans got a close look at the Mercedes MGP W01, the car that marked the beginning of the Petronas and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team partnership in 2010. That collaboration has since produced eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships (2014–2021) and seven consecutive Drivers’ Championships.
Martin Schulz, CEO and President of Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia, said, “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. For Malaysia, this celebration holds a 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.”
The facelifted W223 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class also made its Malaysian debut at the event. Over 50% of the car (approximately 2,700 components) has been newly developed or re-engineered over the pre-facelift model.
Visual changes include a new illuminated grille that is 20% larger than before. Inside, the car runs on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) supercomputer and features the MBUX Superscreen, alongside Airmatic air suspension.
Malaysia’s relationship with Mercedes-Benz stretches back to the early 20th century, when the Sultan of Johor was believed to be among the first in Malaya to own one. Official sales began in 1951 through Cycle & Carriage. Local assembly of passenger cars began in 1968, and in 1983, Malaysia became the first country outside Germany to assemble the S-Class: specifically the Mercedes-Benz 380 SE.
The Pekan production plant was established in 2004. In 2023, the plant produced its 100,000th Mercedes-Benz passenger car and rolled out the first locally assembled Mercedes-Benz EQ, the EQS 500 4MATIC. Malaysia also hosts Mercedes-Benz Parts Logistics Asia-Pacific (MBPLAP) and Mercedes-Benz Tech Malaysia, covering regional logistics and digital infrastructure respectively.
