Employees Celebrate 125 Years Since the Invention of the Automobile: “Anniversary Night” at the Mercedes-Benz Plant in Untertürkheim

Stuttgart – It was one of the highlights of the celebrations marking the 125th anniversary of the automobile: the party for employees and their families at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Untertürkheim. Around 90,000 guests accepted the invitation to the “Anniversary Night.”

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, expressed his gratitude to the employees in a video message: “The main plant in Untertürkheim is not just the birthplace of mobility. The people who work here are the driving force behind progress, the economy, and the region. This is where the pioneering spirit is at home.”

Peter Schabert, head of the Untertürkheim plant, opened the anniversary celebrations at the plant that afternoon: “For over a hundred years, Untertürkheim—along with its workforce—has been and remains the heart of the company. Today, we would like to thank our employees for their passion and unwavering dedication. We look forward to a continued successful future.”

Along Mercedesstraße at the Untertürkheim plant, a diverse program of stage and street performances was offered from 3:00 p.m. until late at night. Employees and their families were kept active through a variety of hands-on activities: physical exertion and vocal talent were called for, whether at the Argentine tango workshop with “Enrique y Judita” or at the talent contest “Untertürkheim Seeks the Daimler Stars.” The little ones also had plenty of opportunities to let off steam: fun and action were guaranteed, whether on the go-kart track or at the puppet theater. The trivia quiz at 12 mini-cinemas put their brains to the test. Three high-quality bicycles from the MB Collection were up for grabs. In the Genius workshop “Alternative Drives – Fuel Cells,” young explorers experimented with miniature versions of future vehicles, while guests could experience the everyday practicality of the current smart electric drive or the Vito E-CELL during test drives on the test track. Another thrilling driving experience was offered by bus rides through the steep-banked curve on the test track.

In collaboration with Südwestrundfunk, the factory was transformed into a festival grounds with five stages for one day. There was something for every musical taste: On the “Daimler” main stage below the high-rise, SWR comedian Andreas Müller kept the crowd in good spirits. The “Fangio” stage on the opposite side featured a tribute to disco hits from the ’70s and ’80s. On the “Mercedes” stage, the SWR1 band played songs that had been selected in advance through an employee hit parade. The “Maybach” stage was a magnet for numerous fans of German pop music, while the younger generation competed against each other in a talent contest on the “Benz” stage for the chance to be crowned the “Daimler Star.” Top-tier artists like Frida Gold and Laith Al-Deen thrilled the audience. Later in the evening, an artistic light and laser show projected onto the skyscraper left the audience in awe. The festivities continued well past midnight.