Registry · MBG
Does Mercedes-Benz Group AG support Israel?
Yes — Mercedes-Benz Group AG has documented support for Israel on record. Every claim below links to its source.
Filed under: Car & automotive brands · Companies that support Israel
Background
Most of this record dates from when the company was named Daimler AG; it was renamed Mercedes-Benz Group AG in February 2022, so older items are attributed to Daimler or its divisions (Daimler Trucks, Mercedes-Benz Vans). Its Israeli activity is R&D and venture investment centered on the Tel Aviv center opened in 2017, which remains part of the group's global R&D network; no corporate donations to Israeli causes were found.
Globes (inauguration by Daimler CEO) Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Tel Aviv (LinkedIn)
Timeline of documented support
Documented support
| Type | Date | Amount | Recipient | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operations in Israel | 2017-11 | — | Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Tel Aviv Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche inaugurated a Mercedes-Benz R&D center in Tel Aviv in November 2017 — one of 11 hubs in the group's global R&D network — focused on digital vehicle and mobility services, navigation, biometrics and cybersecurity. It opened with ~15 employees (planned ~25 in 2018), worked with local accelerators such as 'The Bridge', and continues to operate as Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Tel Aviv. | |
| Investment / program | 2017-09 | — | StoreDot (Israeli fast-charging battery company) Daimler's trucks division led a $60 million financing round in Israeli battery company StoreDot (Daimler's individual share undisclosed) and signed a strategic partnership to bring StoreDot's five-minute 'FlashBattery' fast-charging technology to electric vehicles; the round reportedly valued StoreDot near $500 million. | |
| Investment / program | 2017-09 | $50,000,000 | Via Transportation / ViaVan joint venture Daimler made a strategic investment in ride-pooling company Via — a New York-headquartered company founded by Israeli entrepreneurs with a major Tel Aviv R&D operation — with Mercedes-Benz Vans putting $50 million into the ViaVan joint venture to bring Via's on-demand shuttle technology to Europe (launched in Amsterdam and London in 2018). | |
| Investment / program | 2018-02 | — | Anagog (Tel Aviv mobility-AI startup) Daimler led Israeli mobility-status AI startup Anagog's roughly $10 million Series B together with MizMaa Ventures — an investment made through the Mercedes-Benz Tel Aviv R&D center — and jointly launched the EQ Ready app with Anagog; Daimler participated again in Anagog's 2020 round. |
Frequently asked questions
Did Mercedes-Benz Group AG donate money to Israel or Israeli causes?
We have no records of cash donations, but Mercedes-Benz Group AG has documented support of other kinds (Operations in Israel, Investment / program). See the records on this page.
Where does this information come from?
Every record on this page links to its source — news reports, official company statements, tax filings, or government records. 12 distinct sources are cited for Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Our methodology page explains the full verification process.
Sources & citations
Record last updated: 2026-07-21
- Globes (inauguration by Daimler CEO) en.globes.co.il
- Times of Israel timesofisrael.com
- NoCamels nocamels.com
- Daimler Trucks (release via PR Newswire) prnewswire.com
- Haaretz haaretz.com
- Via / Daimler (release via PR Newswire) prnewswire.com
- TechCrunch techcrunch.com
- Green Car Congress greencarcongress.com
- Globes en.globes.co.il
- NoCamels nocamels.com
- Automotive News Europe europe.autonews.com
- Mercedes-Benz Research & Development Tel Aviv (LinkedIn) il.linkedin.com