Did Ford own Mercedes?
No, Ford Motor Company did not own Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automotive brand that has never been owned by Ford. The two companies have operated independently throughout their histories.
The Relationship Between Ford and Mercedes-Benz
While Ford and Mercedes-Benz have never been under the same corporate ownership, the two automakers have had a long history of collaboration and competition in the global automotive market. Both companies have been major players in the industry for over a century, but they have maintained separate identities and operations.
There have been some instances of technology sharing and joint ventures between Ford and Mercedes-Benz over the years, but these have been limited in scope and duration. For example, in the 1990s, Ford and Mercedes-Benz collaborated on the development of some engine and transmission technologies. However, these partnerships were not indicative of any ownership or control of one company by the other.
The Origins and Ownership of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz was founded in 1886 by Karl Benz, who patented the first gasoline-powered automobile. The company was originally known as Daimler-Benz, after a merger between Benz & Cie. and Daimler-Benz AG in 1926. In 1998, Daimler-Benz (the parent company of Mercedes-Benz) merged with the American automaker Chrysler Corporation, forming DaimlerChrysler. However, this merger did not involve Ford, and Mercedes-Benz remained a wholly-owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler (later Daimler AG).
Today, Mercedes-Benz is owned by Daimler AG, a German multinational automotive corporation. Ford has never had any ownership stake in Mercedes-Benz or its parent companies.
Who is Mercedes owned by?
Daimler
But of course, Mercedes-Benz has never been anything but exceptional. The fact that they're still owned by Daimler, after all these years, is a true testament to the integrity of the brand and the strength of the models they sell.
Is Mercedes a part of Ford?
No, Ford does not make Mercedes. Mercedes-Benz is a brand of the Mercedes-Benz Group AG (formerly Daimler AG), while Ford is owned by the Ford Motor Company. The two companies are separate and have their own distinct histories and corporate structures.
- Mercedes-Benz: Is a subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Group AG, a German company that also owns brands like Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, and Smart.
- Ford: Is the primary brand of the Ford Motor Company, which also owns Lincoln.
What brands does Ford own?
Ford currently owns the Ford and Lincoln brands. It also markets auto parts under the Motorcraft brand name. Ford used to own other brands like Mercury, Edsel, and Volvo (prior to 2010), but it no longer does.
- Ford: The company's primary automotive brand, known for models like the F-150 and Mustang.
- Lincoln: Ford's luxury automotive brand, which it has owned since 1922.
- Motorcraft: The brand under which Ford markets its auto parts.
Former brands that Ford no longer owns:
- Troller: Ford previously owned the Brazilian off-road vehicle manufacturer Troller, which was sold in 2021.
- Mercury: The Mercury brand was discontinued in 2010.
- Volvo: Ford sold its controlling interest in Volvo Cars in 2010.
- Mazda: Ford sold most of its stake in Mazda by 2015 and is no longer a part owner.
What luxury brand is owned by Ford?
Ford's luxury brand is Lincoln. Lincoln operates as a division of the Ford Motor Company, specializing in premium vehicles that offer higher levels of comfort, craftsmanship, and advanced features.
- History: Lincoln was founded in 1917 and was purchased by Ford in 1922.
- Products: Lincoln's lineup includes luxury SUVs like the Navigator, Aviator, and Corsair, as well as sedans such as the Continental.
- Distinction: The brand is designed to compete in the premium market with a distinct identity from Ford's mainstream models.
