Mercedes-Benz Group AG recognizes its extensive history, spanning over 130 years, a heritage marked by automotive pioneering and innovation. However, this history also encompasses a dark period during World War 2 and the Nazi regime (1933-1945). The company actively confronts this era, understanding the importance of remembrance and responsibility. While current employees bear no personal guilt for past actions, Mercedes-Benz emphasizes the collective responsibility to learn from history, prevent recurrence of hate and inhumanity, both within the company and in broader society.
Mercedes-Benz actively engages with organizations dedicated to historical reconciliation. A key partner is Action Reconciliation/Service for Peace, a peace movement organization with over six decades of experience in raising awareness about Nazism’s consequences. Through international meeting centers and programs, this organization fosters a culture of remembrance and critical engagement with Nazi-era crimes. Mercedes-Benz trainees from commercial and technical divisions voluntarily participate in dialogues and meetings with Polish and Dutch individuals, visit former concentration camps and memorial sites, and engage with eyewitness accounts. This direct engagement provides profound learning experiences and reinforces the human impact of these historical events.
Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz collaborates with the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, supporting initiatives like the “City Hall Tour” and dialogues with students led by the late Hardy Krüger. These efforts aimed to highlight the dangers of right-wing extremism and anti-Semitism. The company also supports cultural initiatives like “Art from the Holocaust” exhibitions at Yad Vashem in Israel, the world’s foremost Holocaust memorial site. Mercedes-Benz contributed significantly to Yad Vashem’s expansion with a €1 million donation, underscoring its commitment to preserving the memory and scholarly documentation of the Holocaust. Within the Mercedes-Benz Museum itself, a dedicated section meticulously addresses the 1933-1945 period, specifically commemorating the victims of Nazism.
These actions, while not exhaustive, demonstrate Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to confronting its historical legacy related to World War 2. They are not intended to minimize or contextualize the atrocities of the Nazi era but to clearly illustrate the company’s ongoing dedication to remembrance, education, and preventing future injustices. Mercedes-Benz understands that true progress lies in acknowledging the past, learning from it, and actively working towards a future free from hate, exclusion, and inhumanity. This commitment is embedded within the company’s ethos, guiding its actions and corporate responsibility initiatives.
