Mercedes teams up with McDonald’s in China to launch a burger and an electric car

The ‘So Mc-Benz’ campaign might be the most unlikely partnership ever: a Mercedes-McDonald’s collab that ties a burger launch to the new Mercedes-Benz CLA.

The campaign took place in China, and on paper, it sounds pretty absurd.

After all, one brand sells luxury cars, while the other sells cheeseburgers.

But somehow, the two have cooked up a surprisingly slick campaign that’s got social media buzzing.

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You can take photos with a burger-themed car

The ‘So Mc-Benz’ promotion centers around two very different launches: McDonald’s White Truffle French Ham Angus Thick Beef Burger and Mercedes’ brand-new all-electric CLA sedan.

It all began with a bit of playful mystery: the carmaker kicked things off with a fake ‘missing car’ poster, showing a CLA wrapped in McDonald’s colors.

Naturally, the internet went wild.

McDonald’s followed up with a short animation where, as a burger was sliced into three, the Mercedes three-pointed star emerged from the layers.

When the collab officially dropped, the carmaker doubled down on the joke.

Its new ad mimics McDonald’s signature burger commercials, complete with glossy close-ups, rich lighting, and slow, indulgent pans.

However, the star of the show isn’t a burger, but the new Mercedes-Benz CLA.

The campaign also extends into the real world.

Six McDonald’s stores across major Chinese cities have been transformed into pop-up ‘So Mc-Benz’ hubs, complete with Mercedes-Benz CLA display cars.

There was plenty of burger-themed details, like tiny horns on the mirrors, and the cutest miniature burger on the hood of the car.

It doesn’t stop there.

On the inside, you will find the fanciest McDonald’s menu ever, complete with branded cutlery.

Customers can grab a truffle burger, sit in a Mercedes seat, and post their photos online, which is probably the main point of the collab.

Mercedes collaborates with all sorts of brands

While the partnership sounds quite random, McDonald’s generally has a more premium reputation overseas, so this might not be as weird as you think.

For McDonald’s, it’s a chance to give its Angus line some premium flair.

On the other hand, it’s an opportunity for the luxury carmaker to loosen up as a brand, using humor and fast food to connect with younger consumers.

It’s indeed an odd couple, but in China’s fast-moving marketing scene, that might just be the secret sauce.

In any case, Mercedes-Benz has never been shy with its collaborations.

The brand once worked together with the production team behind Avatar to create a super futuristic Mercedes Vision AVTR concept car.

More recently, the carmaker also collaborated with luxury fashion brand Moncler to create an ultra rare G-Wagon, with only 20 units ever made.

From luxury fashion to cheeseburgers, the brand is truly leaving no stone unturned with its partnerships.

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