It’s official! Although the auction was a record-breaking success, the buyer is still unknown.
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that all rumors about an automotive auction record-setting were true, just one week after they circulated them. Officially, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe is the world’s most expensive car. Only two examples exist. The price is astonishing at 135 million Euros, or $143.1 million at the current exchange rate.
This record-breaking price is more than twice the 2018 Ferrari 250 GTO sale for $70 million. The auction was held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum on May 5. Mercedes-Benz stated that this auction was private and invitation-only. It included customers and international collectors of art and cars, who all share the corporate values of Mercedes-Benz. Although the identity of the high-bidder is unknown, the new owner of the SLR will make it available to display at special events.
Mercedes has an additional $143 million in its pockets and is planning to put the profits from the sale to use. The Mercedes-Benz Fund will be launched by the company. This program will provide financial support for students studying environmental studies at universities and schools around the world.
“With the Mercedes-Benz Fund We would love to encourage a new generation of innovators to follow Rudolf Uhlenhaut and create amazing new technologies, especially those that support the critical goal decarbonization/resource preservation.” Ola Kallenius, CEO Mercedes-Benz. “Also, it is humbling to have the highest vehicle price ever paid: The Mercedes-Benz is the most expensive car in the world.”
The SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, one of two prototypes built in 1955, was essentially a road-legal racing car that survived Mercedes’ departure from the racing scene. Rudolf Uhlenhaut was the SLR’s chief engineer and designer. He drove it as his personal car. The Uhlenhaut Coupe is part of the private collection that the automaker kept. The Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart has the second prototype, which is still in company ownership.