​The head of Mercedes-Benz Group said the company will expand its partnerships with South Korean businesses to drive innovation "that can excite Mercedes customers."

At a media event in Incheon on Friday, Mercedes-Benz Group Chairman Ola Kallenius said he began to realize how important South Korea's innovation ecosystem is to the carmaker through its cooperation with South Korean firms, such as Samsung Electronics and LG.

Kallenius said the South Korean companies are "global champions in innovation and technology," and that there is no Mercedes-Benz in the world without a piece of Korea in it.

The automaker's chief had reportedly discussed cooperation across advanced technology and next-generation components with Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and top executives of LG Group the previous day.

Kallenius said he held productive discussions on upcoming innovations but declined to elaborate, saying details will likely be revealed over the next three to four years.

The same day, Mercedes-Benz announced plans to launch more than 40 new models in South Korea by 2027 and to establish an Asian hub in January to oversee electronic component purchases, supplier quality control and project development.