In a bold leap toward turning the car into a mobile office, Mercedes-Benz has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Microsoft to embed productivity tools like Microsoft Teams, Intune, and eventually Microsoft 365 Copilot directly into its next-generation vehicle operating system.
The integration will debut in September 2025 with the all-new CLA model, which will run on the fourth-generation MBUX system powered by MB.OS, the carmaker’s custom operating system.
“By integrating Microsoft Workspace tools directly into MB.OS, we’ve created an intuitive and secure platform that enhances efficiency without compromising safety,” said Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Join Work Calls From the Driver’s Seat
The new system will allow drivers to join Teams video calls using the car’s built-in camera, turning the cockpit into a mobile boardroom. Users will also be able to access corporate calendars, take meeting notes, and stay synced with their enterprise accounts.
While this raises eyebrows over potential driver distraction, Mercedes-Benz says the setup meets global safety regulations. For instance:
- Content shared during video calls is hidden when the car is in motion.
- The camera feed from other participants is also disabled while driving.
- The interface uses a minimal visual design to avoid distracting the driver.
This design, the automaker claims, ensures productivity doesn’t come at the cost of road safety.
A World First in Enterprise Integration
Mercedes-Benz becomes the first carmaker to natively integrate Microsoft Intune, the widely used enterprise device management platform, into its operating system.
This means that corporate IT departments can now remotely manage in-vehicle accounts, apply security protocols, and keep corporate and personal data separate—just as they would on a laptop or mobile phone.
Users will also have access to features like:
- MBUX Notes for quick dictation or task recording
- Calendar Sync for real-time reminders and meeting toggles
- Next Meetings widget and quick access to business contacts
The Future: Microsoft 365 Copilot in Your Car
Mercedes-Benz is working closely with Microsoft to bring AI-based productivity features through Microsoft 365 Copilot into the car’s dashboard experience. With simple voice prompts, drivers will soon be able to:
- Draft or respond to emails
- Summarise key client information
- Review meeting briefs
- Retrieve documents from SharePoint
Effectively, a long commute could become a fully functional, voice-powered remote workstation.
Kenya Not Part of Initial Rollout
Despite the buzz, Kenya will not be included in the initial rollout of these in-car productivity tools. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new MBUX features will first launch in Europe and the United States, where enterprise digital adoption and regulatory clearance for in-car video conferencing are already well established.
The availability of Microsoft Teams, Intune, and Copilot in Kenya will likely depend on:
- Local data policy and traffic regulation compliance
- Enterprise demand for in-vehicle productivity
- Support for data-intensive applications in the local mobile ecosystem
The carmaker has also confirmed that users must subscribe to the Entertainment Package Plus and maintain an active data plan to access the full suite of features, including AI functions.
Final Word
With this move, Mercedes-Benz is redefining the car as a productivity hub, not just a means of transport. While questions remain around privacy, pricing, and rollout timelines for emerging markets like Kenya, the integration of workplace tools like Teams and Copilot could reshape how professionals use their vehicles—especially in an era of hybrid work and constant connectivity.
