RED-LETTER YEAR

Heading up to Tagaytay as Mercedes-Benz PHL braces for a busy milestone year

- By Angel Rivero

TWO THOUSAND Twenty-Six is an exceptionally significant period for Mercedes-Benz.

It marks 100 years since the brand was formed. In June 1926, Benz & Cie. merged with Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft to become what was then known as Daimler-Benz AG. This officially formed the Mercedes-Benz we know.

This year also marks the 140th anniversary of Carl Benz filing his patent for a three-wheeled vehicle with “gas-engine drive” back in January 1886 — which was, in fact, a patent for the first automobile. Here's a fun fact: Many people even fondly refer to this patent as “the birth certificate of the automobile.”

And it doesn’t end there. This year also commemorates 50 years since the presentation of the Mercedes-Benz W123 model series — the foundational predecessor of today’s modern E-Class. These and several other milestones are all part of the Three-Pointed Star’s historical celebrations this 2026. There is a lot to look forward to in the coming months.