Mercedes-Benz has included Namibia among 140 destinations forming part of its global anniversary journey to mark 140 years since the invention of the modern automobile.

For Mercedes-Benz, the choice of Namibia goes beyond its scenic landscapes and tourism appeal.

The country has a long-standing relationship with Germany and has, over the years, played an important role in the testing of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and prototypes under challenging conditions.

Mercedes-Benz senior engineer and 140 Places Tour representative, Christian Schmidt, said the company is using the journey to reconnect with people and places that have played a role in its history.

“We do have a long mutual history together, and for us as a department that has been involved in testing, especially for upcoming prototypes, we have done a lot of that in Namibia.”

The three S-Class vehicles, named Carl, Gottlieb, and Bertha, pay tribute to the pioneers behind the Mercedes-Benz legacy.

Carl Benz patented the first motorised vehicle on 29 January 1886, while Gottlieb Daimler is regarded as one of the founding figures of the company.

Bertha, Carl Benz's wife, is remembered for undertaking the first long-distance automobile journey, demonstrating that her husband's invention could be used for practical travel.

The S-Class was selected as the vehicle for the global journey because of its position as Mercedes-Benz's flagship model and its reputation for incorporating the company's latest technology and design.

The tour is also highlighting the importance of the African market, which Mercedes-Benz says has continued to grow.

“It is very important for us, and it keeps growing significantly over the last years, and so will the future.”

The Namibian leg of the journey includes stops at Divundu, Rundu, Windhoek, and the Fish River Canyon.