Special Exhibit at Mercedes-Benz Museum on Commercial Vehicles Starting June 8

 

• Vans and trucks spanning 130 years, right up to the eSprinter and eActros 600 with high-performance electric drives
• In 1896, Carl Benz sold the first van and Gottlieb Daimler delivered the first truck
• Classics & Coffee on 28 June 2026, featuring a special theme: “Commercial Vehicles”

Ever since Carl Benz sold the first van in 1896 and Gottlieb Daimler delivered the first truck in the same year, commercial vehicles have shaped global transport and logistics. The special exhibition “130 Years of Commercial Vehicles” at the Mercedes-Benz Museum explores this history and, from 28 June 2026 to 4 April 2027, showcases seven vehicles from different eras in Collection Room 5 – including the latest battery-electric models from Mercedes-Benz Vans and Mercedes-Benz Trucks, such as the eSprinter and eActros 600. 

Indispensable in everyday life

The special exhibition highlights the importance of vans and trucks in everyday life: they ensure the supply of goods, keep economic cycles moving, and are just as much a part of the scene on construction sites as they are on motorways and in cities. Hardly any area of daily life can do without them. “130 Years of Commercial Vehicles” showcases this diversity, presenting vans and trucks from three different eras. Media stations draw on historical forms of communication, such as traditional advertising columns, and enrich the exhibits with additional perspectives. A striking illustration of the global significance of commercial vehicles is an animated 1.5-metre-tall LED globe that visualizes data and stories from 130 years of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle history. 

The vehicles in the special exhibition

• The Benz 1C from 1922 represents the early days of series-production trucks. The 1.5-tonne vehicle started out as a fire-fighting vehicle and was later converted. During the restoration, it was fitted with its current platform body.
• From 1952 onwards, the Mercedes-Benz 170 V panel van was also used by Mercedes-Benz Service. The compact van carried tools and spare parts beneath an elegantly designed “Sindelfingen body”.
• The Mercedes-Benz O 319 D panorama bus from 1961 was a real treat for any travel enthusiast. Compact buses of this type, along with the L 319 vans, were companions of the “economic miracle” era.
• The Mercedes-Benz L 911 bears the marks of a hard working life: the special exhibition presents this medium-duty short-nosed vehicle from 1966, with its original patina intact.
• The Mercedes-Benz eVito from 2023, with its battery-electric drive, proves its worth in everyday use in urban logistics, trades and the service sector. Various small-series vehicles paved the way for this.
• In 1995, the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter gave its name to an entire category of vehicles. The latest Mercedes-Benz eSprinter continues the success story with battery-electric rear-wheel drive. On display is a vehicle from 2024.
• The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 has been in series production since 2024. It is designed for long-distance haulage on battery power: with a battery capacity of 621 kWh and a range of 500 kilometers without recharging, it sets new standards in long-distance haulage. 

Vans and trucks in the Atrium

In the Museum’s Atrium, a temporary display of classic commercial vehicles from Mercedes-Benz’s history complements the special exhibition. Authentic reconstructions of the Benz Combination delivery van from 1899 and the Daimler truck from 1896 are on display to mark the opening of the special exhibition – the pioneers of commercial vehicle history. Both are also used at various events.

Miniatures and interactive stations

The special exhibition also showcases the diversity of commercial vehicles on a miniature scale. With over 180 models of various vans and trucks, visitors can experience the latest developments in a range of scales, primarily 1:87. They were provided by the members of the Mercedes-Benz Model Car Club. 

Two interactive stations also offer a fun way to engage with the exhibition: an arcade game invites players to take part in virtual truck racing, while “VANtastic Memo” tests your memory with images from van history. 

Classic car meet and Family Day

At the special themed event of the multi-brand classic car meet “Classics & Coffee” on 28 June 2026, commercial vehicles will take center stage alongside the opening of the special exhibition. Vans and trucks will also play a prominent role at Family Day on 5 July 2026. Among other things, there will be opportunities to ride in vintage vehicles. 

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The ticket counter always closes at 5 p.m.