The Museum celebrates the automobile invented by Carl Benz in 1886: it relates its history and tells its stories, bringing both alive by placing them in the context of technology, day-to-day life, social history and popular culture. More than 160 vehicles of all types are the main protagonists (cars, racing cars, trucks, racing trucks, buses, ambulances, etc.). They range from some of the oldest automobiles ever built to legendary racing cars and futuristic research vehicles.

Together with other exhibits, they form the centrepiece of the permanent exhibition covering a total of 16.500 square metres in twelve rooms. This unparalleled world can be discovered on two tours that follow a "Legend" and "Collection" narrative.