Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is based in Stuttgart and builds vehicles in Germany, the United States at Tuscaloosa, and Hungary, among other sites. Cars and vans are the group, and the heavy-truck business is the separate Daimler Truck company.

Franchised dealers sell and service the cars under the same kind of US franchise statutes that cover BMW. MB.OS and dealer diagnostic systems are how software updates and repairs are performed, which matters as more of the vehicle's features sit behind a software authorization.

AMG and Maybach are the high end of the same dealer body. A shopper cross-shopping an E-Class and a BMW 5 Series is choosing two dealer networks, two parts systems, and two software stacks that do not interchange.

Dealer franchises control new-car sales and warranty service in the United States.

Vehicle software and diagnostic authorizations keep complex repairs at equipped dealers.

Tuscaloosa and European plants set the mix of SUVs and sedans dealers can order.

Owners of connected Mercedes vehicles depend on the company for software updates that change how the car works.

Van customers, including trades and delivery fleets, buy through a dealer channel separate from the luxury-car showroom.