Mercedes-Benz, often referred to as just Mercedes, is a German manufacturer of luxury automobiles. The company was founded in 1926 by Karl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, and Emil Jellinek and is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Mercedes is the world's most valuable luxury car brand, a position it has held since 2018. The company has offices in ninety-three locations worldwide, including its Stuttgart headquarters, and manufacturers vehicles in seventeen countries that span five continents. Mercedes-Benz is led by Ola Källenius, who serves as chairmen of the board of management, a position he has held since 2019. Mercedes's parent company is the Mercedes-Benz Group, formerly named Daimler AG.