Mercedes-Benz, a company with a history stretching back over 130 years, recognizes the importance of confronting its past, especially the dark period of World War II and the Nazi regime. While proud of its pioneering legacy in automotive innovation, Mercedes-Benz acknowledges the profound responsibility to remember and learn from the years between 1933 and 1945. The company actively engages in initiatives that promote peace, reconciliation, and awareness of the atrocities committed during this era.
One key aspect of Mercedes-Benz’s commitment is its active support for organizations dedicated to historical understanding and peace. The company is a contributor to Action Reconciliation/Service for Peace, a peace movement organization with over six decades of experience in raising awareness about the consequences of Nazism. Through international meeting centers and various programs, Action Reconciliation/Service for Peace fosters a culture of remembrance and encourages critical engagement with the crimes of the Nazi regime. Mercedes-Benz trainees from commercial and technical divisions participate in voluntary programs involving dialogues and encounters with Polish and Dutch individuals, visits to former concentration camps and memorial sites, and direct interactions with witnesses of these historical events.
Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz collaborates with the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, supporting initiatives like the “City Hall Tour” and discussions with schoolchildren led by the late Hardy Krüger. These efforts aim to highlight the dangers of right-wing extremism and anti-Semitism in contemporary society. The company also champions exhibitions such as “Art from the Holocaust” at Yad Vashem in Israel, a leading Holocaust memorial site. Mercedes-Benz contributed significantly to the expansion of Yad Vashem with a €1 million donation, underscoring its dedication to preserving the memory and promoting scholarly documentation of the Holocaust.
Within the Mercedes-Benz Museum, a dedicated section specifically addresses the period between 1933 and 1945. This exhibition serves as a space to commemorate the victims of Nazism and to provide historical context for visitors. This permanent installation ensures that the company’s history is presented in its entirety, acknowledging both its achievements and its involvement in the darker chapters of the 20th century.
These examples illustrate Mercedes-Benz’s ongoing commitment to confronting its historical legacy responsibly. While acknowledging that current employees bear no responsibility for the actions of the company during World War II, Mercedes-Benz emphasizes that every individual within the organization today has a responsibility to act against hate, exclusion, and inhumanity. This commitment extends beyond the company itself, aiming to contribute to a more tolerant and understanding society. Mercedes-Benz views remembering its past during WW2 not as a burden, but as a crucial step towards ensuring a future free from the horrors of the past.
