3 Minutes
Porsche's Unexpected Tribute to Mercedes-Benz
Porsche surprised the automotive world by pausing the usual rivalry to honor Mercedes-Benz on the occasion of its 140th anniversary. On Instagram the Stuttgart sports-car maker posted a heartfelt, poetic message accompanied by archival and contemporary images of Mercedes models — a rare public gesture of mutual respect between two long-time competitors.
Porsche's post didn't read like a routine press release. Instead it highlighted shared roots in Stuttgart, a mutual passion for motorsport, and overlapping engineering successes. The message specifically referenced the legendary E 500 — the high-performance sedan that was developed through collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Porsche — as an emblem of that cooperation.
Key lines from Porsche's message
- 'Dear Mercedes-Benz, we share more than passion. We share the vision of our founders and the birthplace of our craft.'
- 'We believe cars are built not only to move bodies but to move hearts.'
Mercedes' gracious reply
Mercedes-Benz responded warmly, thanking Porsche for the thoughtful words and pointing to a future of continued innovation: 'Thank you for your kind words, Porsche! Here's to a future of sustained innovation while each of us pursues excellence in our own way.'
BMW's cheeky interjection
The tone shifted when BMW — another historic Stuttgart rival — couldn't resist a playful jab. Posting a smiling photo of Karl Benz, BMW quipped: 'Luckily Karl Benz invented the car so we could invent the joy of driving.' The Bavarians capped their post with an image of the iX3 electric SUV, subtly using the anniversary to showcase their EV credentials and technological progress.
What this says about the industry
This exchange shows how legacy and innovation coexist in today's automotive landscape. While brands compete fiercely on performance, luxury, and electric technology, moments like this reveal shared heritage and occasional collaboration.
Highlights:
- Porsche's public salute emphasized shared Stuttgart roots and motorsport DNA.
- The E 500 stands as a tangible example of Mercedes–Porsche engineering cooperation.
- BMW used the moment to both congratulate and underline its EV momentum with the iX3.
Market and engineering context
The E 500 (notably the 500E/ E 500 of the early 1990s) is a well-known example of cross-brand engineering: Mercedes developed the sedan while Porsche contributed tuning and hand-assembly expertise. That model remains a touchstone for performance sedans and collectors.
Meanwhile, BMW's iX3 illustrates how legacy makers leverage anniversaries to highlight electrification and software-driven differentiation. Audi, Volvo, Cadillac and even Chinese firms like Geely and Xiaomi also joined the congratulatory chorus — a reminder that Mercedes' influence is global.
For car enthusiasts, the exchange was more than social media theater: it was a compact lesson in heritage, motorsport pedigree, and how modern OEMs balance rivalry with mutual respect.
"In an industry often defined by competition, occasional public camaraderie reminds us that innovation is often a collective journey — even among rivals."
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