Mercedes-Benz named Manufacturer of the Year at the News UK Motor Awards

1 October 2026. Milton Keynes, UK. Mercedes-Benz has been named Manufacturer of the Year at the 2026 News UK Motor Awards. Judged and jointly awarded by the motoring editors of The Sun, The Times and Sunday Times, Times Digital and Times LUXX, the award recognises Mercedes-Benz as it celebrates the 140th anniversary of Carl Benz registering the patent for the very first motor car in January 1886.

“2026 has been a standout year for Mercedes, opening with the new S-Class landing as the marque celebrates 140 years of the automobile. It set the tone for the most ambitious product offensive in its history. Models such as the CLA have already won widespread critical acclaim, and it's easy to see why. On track, the Silver Arrows dominate with both the drivers' and constructors' championships almost in the bag. Little wonder Mercedes has been named News UK Manufacturer of the Year - richly deserved".
David Green, Motoring Editor, Times LUXX Magazine

The ‘140 Years of Innovation’ celebrations underpin the biggest product launch programme in the history of Mercedes-Benz, with over 40 new models launching in the space of two years. So far in 2026 Mercedes-Benz has launched all-new models including the VLE, the electric GLC and the electric C-Class, and has significantly updated models including the S-Class, EQS, GLE and GLS. New high-performance models from Mercedes-AMG include the CLA 45 4MATIC+, GT 4-Door Coupé and V8-engined CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung.

“In the year we celebrate ‘140 Years of Innovation’, it’s an honour for Mercedes-Benz to be named Manufacturer of the Year by News UK. As we continue to deliver the biggest product launch programme in our company’s history, this award is a powerful endorsement of our proud heritage and our ambition to build the world’s most desirable cars.”
Christoph Starzynski, Vice President of Product Strategy and Product Steering, Mercedes-Benz Cars

News UK is the latest media organisation to reward Mercedes-Benz for the outstanding quality of its vehicles. Since the beginning of this year, publications including Top Gear, Autocar, Auto Express and What Car? have recognised Mercedes-Benz vehicles with an award. In January the Mercedes-Benz CLA was named Car of the Year 2026 by the European Car of the Year jury, a group of 59 automotive journalists from 23 countries.

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Contact:
Mercedes-Benz UK Press Office: Press.Office@Mercedes-Benz.com

Mercedes-Benz anniversary year “140 Years of Innovation”
Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes‑Benz has dedicated itself to constant innovation and to creating the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world’s first automobile in 1886 to the biggest product launch programme in the company’s history that is currently underway. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that runs through everything Mercedes‑Benz does: Welcome home.

Mercedes‑Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by driving three new S‑Class saloons on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide. Each place highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence. Along the way, customers, fans and colleagues will get to join in the celebrations - on an epic adventure that will run until October. Follow the “140 Years. 140 Places” drive across six continents on our “140 Years of Innovation | Mercedes‑Benz Media” special and via the Mercedes‑Benz Community.

Further information about Mercedes‑Benz is available at www.mercedes-benz.com and on our LinkedIn channel under Mercedes‑Benz AG | LinkedIn.
Press information and digital services for journalists and multipliers can be found on our Mercedes‑Benz Media online platform at media.mercedes-benz.com (global) and www.mercedes-benz-media.co.uk (UK).

Mercedes‑Benz AG at a glance
Mercedes‑Benz AG is part of the Mercedes‑Benz Group AG with a total of around 164,000 employees worldwide and is responsible for the global business of Mercedes‑Benz Cars and Mercedes‑Benz Vans. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz AG. The company focuses on the development, production and sales of passenger cars, vans and vehicle-related services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be the leader in the fields of electric mobility and vehicle software. The brand portfolio of Mercedes‑Benz Cars includes the Mercedes‑Benz brand, as well as Mercedes‑AMG, Mercedes‑Maybach, and the G‑Class product brand. Mercedes‑Benz AG is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars. In 2025 it sold more than 2.1 million passenger cars and vans. In its two business segments, Mercedes‑Benz AG is continually expanding its worldwide production network with around 30 production sites on four continents. Sustainability is a guiding principle of the Mercedes‑Benz strategy. Mercedes-Benz considers the impacts of its business activities across the entire value chain and takes economic, environmental and social aspects into account in equal measure.

Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd. at a glance
Mercedes-Benz UK is the sales and marketing organisation responsible for all Mercedes-Benz Cars and services in Britain. As well as selling cars, parts, and services, the company runs Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands – a brand experience centre in Weybridge, Surrey. Mercedes-Benz World has welcomed over three million visitors since it opened in 2006. The UK is also home to Mercedes-Benz High Performance Powertrains and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1™ team.