03:53 16-12-2025

Mercedes-Benz 2026: milestones, new models, and an EV-first CLA

Mercedes-Benz is turning 2026 into a year-long anniversary marathon while tying it to the largest product program in its history. The brand will mark 140 years since Karl Benz’s patent for a motor vehicle, dated January 29, 1886; 100 years since the Mercedes-Benz name emerged after the 1926 Daimler–Benz merger; and 130 years of commercial vehicles.

Also on the calendar: 75 years since Béla Barényi’s safety-body patent—the foundation for crumple zones—plus the 50th anniversary of the W123, forebear of today’s E-Class, and 20 years of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. Around those milestones, the brand is planning museum programming, Classics & Coffee gatherings, and partner exhibitions showcasing everything from early automobiles to modern hypercars.

Yet the focus is not solely on heritage. Internally, the company has mapped out dozens of new or refreshed models for 2026–2027 across its Entry, Core, and Top End lines. Headliners include a new CLA family built on an electric-first architecture and a wave of fresh SUVs. The message feels deliberate: position the shift to electrification and software as a natural evolution rather than a hard reset.

Another catalyst is the growing attention from collectors to both classics and modern AMGs. The W123 anniversary and the broader historic milestones could nudge demand for well-kept cars, while two-door AMGs are increasingly viewed as future youngtimers. It is the sort of halo effect any brand is keen to harness.