Mercedes-Benz Trucks is hosting the opening of the “Deutschlandfahrt” 2026, which this year will travel through Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

The long-standing historic vehicle tour brings together classic commercial vehicles from a wide range of brands, as well as private collectors, companies, and commercial vehicle enthusiasts from across Europe.

As part of the “130 years of trucks” anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is participating with selected historic vehicles, including the original Daimler Motor Truck from 1899.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is hosting the opening of the Deutschlandfahrt 2026, which this year will travel through Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The long-standing historic vehicle tour brings together classic commercial vehicles from a wide range of brands, as well as private collectors, companies, and commercial vehicle enthusiasts from across Europe.

As part of the “130 Years of Trucks” anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is participating with selected historic vehicles, including the original Daimler Motor Truck from 1899.

Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Wörth am Rhein

During the “130 Years of Trucks” anniversary year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is hosting the official opening of the Deutschlandfahrt 2026. The long-standing historic vehicle tour began on Aug. 27 at the Mercedes-Benz Wörth plant and this year covers approximately 1,086 kilometers through Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

Historic Commercial Vehicles Event

For decades, the Deutschlandfahrt has been one of Europe’s most important events for historic commercial vehicles.

Organized by ETM Verlag together with commercial vehicle entrepreneur and vintage vehicle enthusiast Joachim Fehrenkötter, it brings together vehicle owners, collectors, companies, and commercial vehicle fans.

A defining feature of the event is the diversity of participating vehicles: historic trucks and buses from a wide range of manufacturers and eras travel together, bringing to life the development of commercial vehicles over more than a century.

This year’s edition holds special significance for Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

One hundred and thirty years ago, Gottlieb Daimler developed the world’s first truck, laying the foundation for modern road freight transport.

The Deutschlandfahrt provides the ideal setting for the manufacturer to celebrate this anniversary together with customers, partners, and commercial vehicle enthusiasts while showcasing the history of the truck where it was created: on the road.

“One hundred and 30 years of trucks stand for 130 years of innovation, reliability, and partnership with our customers. The Deutschlandfahrt brings this history to life in a unique way. With our Mercedes-Benz Trucks brand, we have been a defining part of commercial vehicle history since the very beginning of this development, and we continue to actively shape its future,” said Jean-Marc Diss, head of sales and marketing Mercedes-Benz Trucks Europe. “When historic commercial vehicles from a wide range of brands travel together, they create an impressive picture of technological progress and the importance of road freight transport for business and society. We are delighted to welcome the participants to Wörth during this anniversary year.”

Original Daimler Motor Truck from 1899

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is participating in the tour with selected vehicles from its own heritage. Among them is the original Daimler Motor Truck from 1899, one of the oldest vehicles in the collection and an impressive testament to the beginnings of motorized freight transport. Together with other historic vehicles, it illustrates the development of technology, efficiency, safety, and driver comfort across generations.

Route the Historic Trucks Will Take

Following the opening in Wörth, the first stage covers approximately 300 kilometers to Lentzweiler in Luxembourg. From there, the route continues via Hulst, Wognum, Druten, and Eindhoven before the Deutschlandfahrt concludes on Sept. 6 in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia. Participants will cover a total distance of around 1,086 kilometers. This year’s route therefore places a special focus on the Benelux region.

With its combination of rolling transport history, international participants, and encounters along the route, the Deutschlandfahrt represents the fascination of historic commercial vehicles like few other events. In the anniversary year 2026, it also bridges the gap between the beginnings of the truck and the current and future transport solutions of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, highlighting the role commercial vehicles have played in mobility, supply chains, and economic development for the past 130 years.