Mercedes was historically owned by Daimler Benz and later Daimler AG before the parent corporation rebranded to Mercedes Benz Group AG. The original automotive brand emerged from the merger of Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler founding companies in the late 1920s. Over the decades, ownership structure evolved through corporate restructurings, global partnerships, and public stock trading. Today, it operates as an independent luxury vehicle maker owned by public shareholders worldwide.