Mercedes-Benz “140 Years 140 Places” global drive reaches Malaysia, showcases the new S-Class

KUALA LUMPUR: Started on January 29, 2026, in Germany, the Mercedes-Benz “140 Years. 140 Places” worldwide journey has now entered Malaysia, celebrating the brand’s 140 years of innovation. 

This 140-location global drive marks 140 years since Carl Benz patented the first automobile in 1886. It sees three Mercedes-Benz S-Class travelling across six continents, visiting 140 locations around the world. Notably, Malaysia is one of the key stops of this epic journey. 

“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,” said Martin Schulz, CEO & President, Mercedes-Benz Cars Malaysia & Head of Region, Mercedes-Benz Cars Southeast Asia.

House of Mercedes-Benz Event at KLCC

To mark the occasion, Mercedes-Benz hosted the “140 Places. 140 Years. One celebration in Kuala Lumpur.” event at KLCC Square on May 30 and 31, offering everyone an immersive Mercedes-Benz experience like never before. 

Key highlights include -

• Exclusive showcase of classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles
• Displays of high-performance Mercedes-AMG models
• Exclusive first look at the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class - More than 50 percent of the new S-Class (around 2,700 components) are newly developed. The upgraded model features a larger illuminated grille, new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) supercomputer and immersive MBUX Superscreen and AIRMATIC air suspension.
• A rare display of the Mercedes MGP W01: It marks the first Formula 1 collaboration between PETRONAS and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Petronas has been the team’s Title and Technical Partner since 2010. This partnership has delivered 8 consecutive Constructors' Championships (2014–2021) and 7 consecutive Drivers' Championships.

The visitors also experienced the brand’s Agility+ and Young Star Agility+ programmes at the event, offering flexible financing and ownership options. The Agility+ is the brand’s flagship financing solution for new vehicles, while Young Star Agility+ caters to certified pre-owned vehicles.

Malaysia holds a special place in Mercedes-Benz history 

Malaysia was the first country to locally assemble the S-Class luxury sedan outside Germany. The first S-Class CKD was rolled out in 1983 as the Mercedes-Benz 380 SE. Since then, the country has played an important role in the brand’s global network thanks to its strategic location and skilled workforce. 

A brief look at Mercedes-Benz’s long history in Malaysia

The story of Mercedes-Benz in Malaysia began in the early 20th century, when the Sultan of Johor was believed to be one of the first in Malaya to own a Mercedes-Benz. However, official sales of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Malaysia began in 1951 through Cycle and Carriage. Key milestones are as follows - 

1968	Local assembly of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars began
1983	Malaysia becomes the first country to assemble the S-Class outside Germany
2003	DaimlerChrysler Malaysia was setup
2004	Pekan production plant was established, reinforcing Malaysia’s strategic role in the region
2008	DaimlerChrysler Malaysia was evolved into Mercedes-Benz Malaysia
2023	Rollout of the first locally assembled Mercedes-Benz EQ and the Mercedes-Benz EQS 500 4MATIC The Pekan plant rolled out its 100,000th Mercedes-Benz passenger car

Malaysia’s growing strategic role 

Mercedes-Benz's presence has expanded beyond vehicle sales and assembly in Malaysia. The country plays an increasingly integral role in the brand’s regional logistics and digital infrastructure with the introduction of Mercedes-Benz Parts Logistics Asia-Pacific (MBPLAP) and Mercedes-Benz Tech Malaysia. These efforts reiterate the brand’s long-term strategic commitment to the country, its capabilities, and its people. 

 Also read: New Mercedes-Benz Autohaus centre opens in Pahang