Mercedes-Benz is owned by Mercedes-Benz Group AG — a publicly traded German company headquartered in Stuttgart. No single person controls it. Most people searching "who owns Mercedes-Benz" find outdated answers pointing to "Daimler AG," a name the company officially dropped in 2022.
The Corporate Structure — Three Things Worth Separating
Before getting into shareholders, this part trips a lot of people up. There's a difference between:
Mercedes-Benz Group AG — the publicly listed parent company. This is the entity traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker MBG. When people ask who "owns" Mercedes-Benz, this is the company they're asking about.
Mercedes-Benz AG — the operating division responsible for passenger cars and vans. It sits underneath the Group.Mercedes-Benz — the consumer brand. The cars, the logo, the marketing.
At first glance this seems like an unnecessary distinction. But it matters, because ownership sits at the Group AG level — not the brand level. You don't buy shares in "Mercedes-Benz the car brand." You buy shares in Mercedes-Benz Group AG, the corporation that owns and operates everything.
Also Read: Magento Service Gonzay
Why So Many Sources Still Say "Daimler AG"
Worth addressing directly, because it causes a lot of confusion.
For decades, the parent company was called Daimler AG. Before that, DaimlerChrysler. Before that, Daimler-Benz. The name kept changing — and in February 2022, it changed again.
The Full Name History
- 1926–1998: Daimler-Benz AG
- 1998–2007: DaimlerChrysler (after acquiring Chrysler)
- 2007–2022: Daimler AG (after selling Chrysler)
- 2022–present: Mercedes-Benz Group AG
The 2022 rename wasn't just a rebrand. The company simultaneously spun off its commercial vehicle business — trucks, buses — as a separate publicly listed company called Daimler Truck. What remained was the passenger car and van side, which took the Mercedes-Benz Group name.
So when dealership websites and older articles say "Daimler AG owns Mercedes-Benz" — they're not wrong historically, but they're describing a company that no longer exists under that name. Mercedes-Benz Group AG is the correct, current parent.
Who Are the Major Shareholders of Mercedes-Benz Group AG?
This is where the ownership picture gets genuinely interesting — and where most content falls short.Mercedes-Benz Group AG has approximately one billion shares outstanding. Ownership is spread globally. But unlike many large public companies, there are a few named, significant stakeholders worth knowing about.
BAIC Group — Largest Individual Shareholder
BAIC Group is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer. It currently holds approximately 9.98% of Mercedes-Benz Group AG's voting rights, making it the single largest named shareholder. This isn't a recent development — the relationship between Daimler and BAIC stretches back years, including a joint venture that produces Mercedes-Benz vehicles in China.
Li Shufu — Second Major Named Shareholder
Li Shufu is a Chinese billionaire and founder of Geely Automobile. He holds approximately 9.69% of Mercedes-Benz Group AG through an investment vehicle called Tenaciou3 Prospect Investment Limited. He acquired this stake in 2018 and is also known for owning Volvo Cars.
Kuwait Investment Authority
The Kuwait Investment Authority — Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund — has held a stake in the company since 1974. That's over 50 years. The exact current percentage isn't always publicly broken down in detail, but it's a long-standing institutional position.
Institutional and Retail Investors
The remaining shares are held by institutional investors — pension funds, index funds, asset managers — along with retail investors worldwide. No single entity among this broader group holds a controlling stake.
Ownership data for the named shareholders above comes from BaFin (Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) and Mercedes-Benz Group AG's own investor disclosures. These are publicly reported figures.
Also Read: Connections Hint Mashable
What Do These Stakes Actually Mean?
Nearly 10% sounds like a lot. And it is significant — but it's not control.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG operates under a one-share, one-vote structure. No special share classes exist that give any shareholder extra influence. To exercise meaningful control over company decisions, you'd generally need a majority stake — something no individual or entity holds here.
What's often overlooked is that BAIC and Li Shufu's stakes give them board-level visibility and shareholder voting rights, not the ability to direct strategy unilaterally. In practice, they're influential investors, not operators.
The people who actually run Mercedes-Benz Group AG are the executive management team, appointed by the Board of Directors, which is itself elected by shareholders. It's the standard structure of a large public corporation — ownership and management are separate functions.
Who Actually Runs Mercedes-Benz Group AG?
The Board of Directors sets overall strategic direction and appoints executive leadership. The executive management team — led by the CEO — handles day-to-day operations, product decisions, and market strategy.
Interestingly, none of the major named shareholders also hold executive management roles. BAIC Group's stake reflects a strategic business partnership as much as a financial investment. Li Shufu's position is primarily that of a large investor. The Kuwait Investment Authority is a long-term financial holder.
The CEO and executive team typically own a small number of shares as part of their compensation — not enough to constitute meaningful ownership in the context of a company this size.
Also Read: Internet Chicks
Is Mercedes-Benz German-Owned?
Technically yes — and also no, depending on how you frame it.
The parent company, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, is a German corporation. It's incorporated in Germany, headquartered in Stuttgart, and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. That part is unambiguously German.
But shares are held globally. The two largest named individual stakeholders — BAIC Group and Li Shufu — are both Chinese. The Kuwait Investment Authority is Kuwaiti. Institutional investors holding portions of the remaining shares are spread across the US, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
So the company is German in structure and origin. Ownership is international.
Conclusion
Mercedes-Benz is owned by Mercedes-Benz Group AG — not Daimler AG, which is an outdated name. It's a public company with no single controlling owner. BAIC Group and Li Shufu are the largest named shareholders, each holding under 10%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Daimler still own Mercedes-Benz?
Daimler AG no longer exists by that name. In 2022, it was renamed Mercedes-Benz Group AG after spinning off its truck division. The company is the same legal entity — the name changed, not the ownership.
Who owns Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta?
The stadium is owned by the state of Georgia. It carries the Mercedes-Benz name through a naming rights deal — the automaker doesn't own it.
Does China own Mercedes-Benz?
No. BAIC Group holds ~9.98% and Li Shufu holds ~9.69% — both significant stakes, but neither is a controlling interest. Mercedes-Benz Group AG has no majority Chinese shareholder.
Is Mercedes-Benz privately owned?
No. Mercedes-Benz Group AG is publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker MBG. Anyone can buy shares.
Is Mercedes-Benz still a German company?
Yes — it's incorporated and headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Shareholders are global, but the corporate entity is German.
