By Micah Jonah
January 29, 2026
Mercedes-Benz CEO, Ola Kaellenius has confirmed that the German automaker turned down a proposal from U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick to move the company’s headquarters to the United States.
In an interview with German news site The Pioneer, Kaellenius said the offer, made early last year, reflected intense global competition for investment but emphasized that while Mercedes-Benz will continue to invest in the U.S., the company “cannot be uprooted” from Germany.
The remarks underline Europe’s continuing role as a hub for automotive innovation even as countries worldwide vie to attract multinational corporations with incentives and strategic offers.
