Mercedes-Benz, the world’s No. 2 luxury carmaker by market revenue, is marking 90 years in Namibia as the German automaker celebrates one of its longest-running commercial relationships on the African continent.
The milestone comes as Mercedes-Benz continues to rank among the world’s leading luxury vehicle manufacturers.
*The Business Research Company* estimates that Mercedes-Benz Group AG accounted for 4.54% of global luxury-car market revenue in 2025, placing it second behind BMW AG, which held a 5.06% share.
The anniversary in Namibia highlights the longevity of the German brand’s presence in African markets, with its relationship with local distributor M+Z Motors dating back to 1936.
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The partnership initially focused on commercial vehicles before expanding into passenger cars, helping establish Mercedes-Benz as a long-standing presence in Namibia’s automotive market.
The relationship between Mercedes-Benz and M+Z Motors began in 1936, when the Namibian company started representing the German manufacturer’s commercial vehicles. Passenger vehicles were added to the business in 1938, while M+Z formally established its passenger-car operations in 1956.
Speaking at the anniversary event, M+Z dealer principal Richard Slamet highlighted the long relationship between the two companies, noting that “*140 years of Mercedes-Benz, 120 years of M+Z, and 90 years together in partnership”* tell the story of their shared history.
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The companies are now marking the milestone as part of Mercedes-Benz’s wider 140 Years/140 Places global campaign, which commemorates the automaker’s history across markets around the world.
The Namibian milestone is significant because it illustrates how Mercedes-Benz has maintained relationships with African markets across multiple generations, evolving from commercial vehicle sales into a broader luxury and passenger-vehicle business.
M+Z Motors itself has an even longer history in Namibia, having been established more than a century ago. Its relationship with Mercedes-Benz has therefore spanned major changes in Namibia’s economy, transport infrastructure and automotive market.
Mercedes-Benz’s position in Namibia comes against the backdrop of its strong position in the global luxury-car market.
According to *The Business Research Company*, the global luxury-car market generated an estimated $710.54 billion in revenue in 2025, with the 10 largest companies accounting for 22.77% of the market.
BMW ranked first with a 5.06% share, followed by Mercedes-Benz at 4.54%. Tesla ranked third at 3.80%, while Audi and Toyota held 2.72% and 2.68%, respectively.
The ranking places Mercedes-Benz ahead of other major luxury and premium automotive groups, including Volvo, Hyundai Motor Group, Tata Motors, Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover.
Its African presence, however, extends beyond the luxury passenger-car market. Mercedes-Benz has also built a significant commercial-vehicle footprint across the continent, giving the brand exposure to both consumer and business customers.
The 90-year milestone in Namibia therefore reflects more than the longevity of a single dealership relationship.
It highlights how one of the world's largest luxury automotive brands has maintained a presence in an African market through successive generations while continuing to expand its global position.
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