Mercedes-Benz
The star on the bonnet: premium cars from Stuttgart.
52-week range
As of 5 Oct 2026, 14:51What does Mercedes-Benz do?
Mercedes-Benz builds premium cars, from the A-Class to the S-Class and the Maybach brand, plus vans such as the Sprinter. Financing is another big part of the business: many customers lease their car straight from Mercedes. Its roots go back to Carl Benz and his motor car of 1886.
A Mercedes taxi, the delivery driver’s Sprinter van or the star on your neighbour’s car: you probably see Mercedes on the road almost every day.
How Mercedes-Benz makes money
- Cars70 %
- Financing & leasing18 %
- Vans12 %
Strengths
- One of the best-known car brands in the world, with loyal, well-off customers.
- High prices per car bring big profits in good years.
- A strong cash position: the car business holds more cash than debt.
Risks
- In 2025 operating profit (EBIT) fell by more than half, partly because of weak sales in China.
- US tariffs on cars from Europe make the important American business more expensive.
- The switch to electric cars is costly, and competition from China is growing.
- Founded
- 1926
- Headquarters
- Stuttgart, Germany
- Employees
- about 164,000 (end of 2025)
What if you had invested in Mercedes-Benz earlier?
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This page explains the company and is not a recommendation to buy or sell.