Mercedes-Benz presented their “Welcome Home: Drive to History” event as part of their celebration for the 140 years since the Benz Patent-Motorwagen was patented in 1886. As part of this milestone, they unveiled the scale model of the first car ever at the Presidential Car Museum in Quezon City along with the Chedengs used by the past Presidents of the Philippines.
As much as they wanted to, there’s only 1 surviving model of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen and that’s in the Deutsches Museum. We’ll have to settle for the miniature scale model that they brought into the Museum of Presidential Cars in Quezon Memorial Circle. This would stay here for 6 months until December 2026.
Prior to Mercedes-Benz, Philippine Presidents always chose American cars like Cadillac, Chrysler, and Lincoln.
The Chedeng Highlights in the exhibit starts with the first Aquino Presidency in 1986. She used a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL with a 5-liter V8. Following her was President Ramos who used a similar car, only less armored. However, Ramos’s 500SEL is a “Guard” version that was used by the GSG 9, Germany’s anti-terrorism unit.
President Estrada opted for a more powerful Merc during his time. He used a 1993 Mercedes-Benz S600 that has a 6-liter V12 and was made by famous armoring firm O’Gara and Hess. Last, Arroyo chose the Limousine version of the S600 but had additional engine block armoring and run-flat tires – also made by O’Gara and Hess.
Presidents P-Noy and Duterte did not have cars in the exhibit because they opted to go with their personal cars during their time.
The event finished off with the stark contrast of the first vehicle and Mercedes-Benz’s latest – the EQE 350+ AMG sedan. It symbolizes the brand’s tradition of innovation in engineering from the first gasoline-run mobility solution to the current electrified offering.
