Mercedes-Benz Philippines is marking a major milestone by celebrating 140 years of automotive innovation with “Welcome Home: Drive to History.” It is an exhibit that highlights the brand’s heritage while showcasing its long-standing connection with the country’s history.
Held at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon Memorial Circle, the event officially inaugurated a replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, widely recognized as the world’s first automobile introduced by Karl Benz in 1886. The replica now forms part of the museum’s collection and will remain on public display until December 2026.
Beyond commemorating the invention that started the automotive industry, the exhibition also offers visitors a glimpse into the evolution of Mercedes-Benz as a symbol of engineering, safety, and prestige.
One of the exhibition’s highlights is a display of presidential Mercedes-Benz vehicles that served as official state cars of several Philippine presidents. These vehicles illustrate how the German luxury marque became a trusted choice for transporting the country’s highest officials.
Among them is the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL used by former President Corazon C. Aquino, one of two units donated by the German government following the 1986 People Power Revolution. While it featured a relatively modest interior, it introduced advanced security features for its time, including bullet-resistant glass and armored body panels. Former President Fidel V. Ramos later used the other donated vehicle, a Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL Guard, one of the company’s earliest factory-built armored sedans.
The collection also includes former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada’s 1993 Mercedes-Benz S 600 Guard, which featured upgraded armor, a V12 engine, and discreet protective technologies designed specifically for heads of state.
Completing the presidential lineup is the 1993 Mercedes-Benz S 600 Limousine used by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The stretched limousine featured extensive armor, luxurious rear accommodations, specialized communication equipment, and reinforced protection, making it the most heavily armored vehicle in the museum’s collection.
To connect its past with its future, the brand also displayed the all-electric EQE 350+ AMG Sedan alongside the historic vehicles. The pairing represents the brand’s journey from creating the first automobile nearly 140 years ago to developing today’s electric luxury vehicles.
According to Mercedes-Benz Philippines, “Welcome Home: Drive to History” aims to preserve automotive heritage while encouraging future generations to appreciate the role of innovation in shaping mobility.
For those interested in automotive history, the exhibition offers more than a look at classic Mercedes-Benz models. It provides a rare opportunity to see the evolution of the automobile, from the world’s first car to modern electric mobility, while revisiting the vehicles that once carried some of the country’s highest leaders. The exhibit will remain open to the public at the Presidential Car Museum until December 2026.
Autocar’s Take
The best automotive exhibits are those that tell stories beyond horsepower, and Mercedes-Benz Philippines has done exactly that. Rather than simply celebrating 140 years of innovation, “Welcome Home: Drive to History” connects the brand’s global legacy with a meaningful piece of Philippine history. Seeing the Benz Patent-Motorwagen alongside presidential Mercedes-Benz state cars reminds visitors how automotive technology has evolved through engineering, safety, and innovation. It’s also refreshing that the exhibition ends with the electric Mercedes-Benz EQE, illustrating how the company continues to move forward while respecting its past. For enthusiasts, this exhibit is well worth visiting.
