Smart is a German car brand that started in 1994. Smart Automobile Co., Ltd. is a company created in 2019 by two big car makers: Mercedes-Benz and Geely. They work together to make Smart cars in China and sell them all over the world. Their main office is in Ningbo, China.

Smart cars were first known for being very small cars, like the Fortwo and Forfour models. These were made in France and Slovenia. Now, Smart makes small electric cars in China. A company called smart Europe GmbH handles selling and marketing these cars in Europe.

The Smart brand was first started in 1994 by a company called Micro Compact Car AG (MCC). This was a team-up between Swatch (a watch company) and Daimler-Benz (which makes Mercedes-Benz cars). Later, Daimler-Benz took full control of MCC. The name "Smart" comes from "Swatch Mercedes ART." The company uses a small "c" and an arrow in its logo. These stand for the car's "cute," "compact," and "forward-thinking" design.

History of Smart Cars

How Smart Cars Started

Former Smart offices in Böblingen, Germany

The idea for Smart cars began at Mercedes-Benz in the 1970s and 1980s. The first Smart car was released in October 1998. It was called the "City Coupé" but later became known as the "Fortwo."

In 1982, Nicolas Hayek, the CEO of Swatch, had an idea for a new car. He wanted a small, stylish car for city driving, like his popular Swatch watches. He called this idea the "Swatchmobile." Hayek thought other car makers might see his idea as a threat. So, he decided to work with an existing car company.

On July 3, 1991, Hayek agreed to work with Volkswagen. But in 1993, the new Volkswagen CEO, Ferdinand Piëch, ended the project. Volkswagen wanted to make its own small, fuel-efficient car with four seats.

Hayek had a feeling this might happen. So, he secretly talked to other car companies. After being turned down by a few, he made a deal with Daimler-Benz AG, the company that makes Mercedes-Benz cars.

On March 4, 1994, they announced their partnership. They would create a new company called Micro Compact Car AG (MCC). Swatch owned 49% of MCC, and Daimler-Benz owned 51%. They planned to design the car in Germany and build it at a new factory.

At this event, two concept cars were shown: the "eco-sprinter" and "eco-speedster." These cars looked a lot like the future Smart City-Coupé.

Before the Launch (1994–1997)

MCC quickly set up its main office in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Three people were chosen to lead the company. One of the first big discussions was about the car's name. Nicolas Hayek wanted to keep "Swatch" in the name, but Daimler-Benz wanted a neutral name. They finally chose "Smart," which stood for "Swatch Mercedes Art."

By the end of 1994, they picked Hambach, France, as the place for the factory. This factory quickly became known as "Smartville."

In 1995, a new way of building the car was planned. Suppliers would design and build parts of the car themselves at the factory. This helped reduce costs for Smart. Even with this plan, MCC needed more money. Daimler-Benz increased its ownership to 81% by 1996, leaving Swatch with 19%.

The factory opened on October 27, 1997. The new Smart City-Coupé was supposed to launch in March 1998. However, tests showed the car was not stable enough. Daimler-Benz decided to delay the launch until October 1998. Engineers made changes to make the car safer, like lowering its center of gravity and making the suspension stiffer.

The car successfully launched in nine European countries in October 1998. But the final car did not have the hybrid engine that Hayek wanted. Soon after, Daimler-Benz bought out Swatch's remaining share in the company. Smart became fully owned by Daimler-Benz (which later became DaimlerChrysler). The company's name changed to MCC smart GmbH and then simply smart GmbH.

Growing the Brand (1998–2019)

Smart added more models, like the Roadster (a sporty car) and the Forfour (a four-door car). The original City-Coupé was renamed Fortwo.

However, these new models did not make the company profitable. Smart GmbH lost a lot of money from 2003 to 2006. In 2005, Daimler decided to stop making the Forfour and a planned SUV called the Formore. Production of the Roadster also stopped. In 2006, Smart GmbH was closed down, and its operations became part of DaimlerChrysler.

Until 2019, Smart was part of the Mercedes-Benz Cars division. It offered the Fortwo coupé, Fortwo convertible, and Forfour hatchback.

Working with Geely

Smart Concept #1

In 2019, Daimler announced a new partnership with the Chinese car maker Geely. They invested a lot of money to build a new factory in China. This factory would make a new generation of Smart cars. In 2021, the first concept car from this partnership was shown. It was called Concept #1. This concept car was built on Geely's special car platform. It had design features like a glass roof and a large touchscreen inside.

Smart Car Models

Besides the original Smart Fortwo, Smart also offered a sporty Smart Roadster, a special limited edition Smart Crossblade, and a small four-door car called the Smart Forfour. These models are no longer made. There were also plans for an SUV called the Formore, but it was canceled.

Former Models

Years Made	Model	Picture
1998–2000	Smart City-Coupé (C450) & City-Cabrio* (*from 2000) (A450)
2002	Smart Crossblade
2001–2007	Smart City-Coupé (C450) & City-Cabrio (renamed Fortwo in 2002) (A450)
2001–2004	Smart K (Japan only)
2003–2005	Smart Roadster Coupé (R452) Smart Roadster Cabrio (C452)
2004–2006	Smart Forfour (W454)
2007–2015	Smart Fortwo (C451) Smart Fortwo Cabrio (A451)
2008–2016 (2008–2011 in limited trials)	Smart Fortwo Electric Drive (formerly known as EV) (C453) Smart Fortwo Cabrio Electric Drive (A453)
2014–2019	Smart Fortwo (C453) Smart Fortwo Cabrio (A453)
2014–2019	Smart Forfour (W453)
2017–2022	Smart EQ Forfour
2017–2024	Smart EQ Fortwo Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio

Current Models

Years Made	Model	Picture
2022–present	Smart #1
2023–present	Smart #3

Concept Cars

Smart has also shown many concept cars, which are ideas for future cars. Some of these include:

Tridion 4 (2001)
Crosstown (2005)
Formore (2005)
Forspeed (2011)
Forvision (2011)
For-Us (2012)
Forstars (2012)
Concept #1 (2021)
Concept #5 (2024)

Smart Car Sales Around the World

Asia

Japan

In Japan, some early Smart models were small enough to be called "Kei cars." This meant they had lower taxes. Newer Smart models have bigger engines and don't fit this category. A special version called the Smart K was made just for Japan to fit the Kei car rules.

China

Smart showroom in Shenzhen, China

Smart cars were first shown in China in April 2008 at the Beijing Auto Show. They started selling the Smart Fortwo in October 2008. Smart cars are also sold in Hong Kong.

Indonesia

Since November 29, 2010, the Smart Fortwo has been sold in Indonesia. Indonesia was also the first country in Southeast Asia to get the Smart Electric Drive. This electric car was lent to the government of Jakarta to test how well zero-emission cars work.

North America

Canada

The Smart Fortwo

The Smart Fortwo came to Canada in late 2004. It was sold through Mercedes-Benz dealers. Many people wanted the car at first, especially commuters and those who liked small cars. Sales were strong in Western Canada, especially in Vancouver.

The 2008-2011 Smart Fortwo for North America had a new gasoline engine. This engine used more fuel than the diesel version sold in Europe. Smart decided not to bring the more fuel-efficient diesel version to Canada.

In 2009, the Canadian government worked with Mercedes-Benz Canada to test the Smart mhd (micro hybrid drive). This project looked at how a "start-stop" system could save fuel.

On April 30, 2019, Daimler announced that 2019 would be the last year for Smart cars in Canada. They said they would continue to support existing owners.

United States

Smart Fortwo (2nd generation)

Before 2008, Smart cars were not officially sold in the United States. Some were brought in by other companies and changed to meet US rules.

In June 2006, DaimlerChrysler said that Smart cars would officially launch in the US in early 2008. The cars were sold through a new dealership network called Smart USA. The updated gasoline-powered Fortwo was offered, starting around $12,000.

The Smart Fortwo got a lot of attention in the US. It was seen as a very small car in a country where bigger cars are common. At first, people had to reserve a Smart car and wait about a year to get one. By July 2009, there was no wait.

In 2011, Mercedes-Benz USA took over selling and marketing the Smart brand from Penske Automotive Group.

The third generation Smart Fortwo coupe came to the US in 2015. In February 2017, Smart USA announced that they would only sell electric Smart cars after the 2017 model year. Both the coupe and convertible models would be electric.

In 2018, Smart celebrated 10 years of sales in the US. They offered a special 10th-anniversary edition electric Fortwo coupe.

Smart left the US market after the 2019 model year. This was because of slow sales and the high cost of making the Fortwo meet US regulations.

Mexico

Smart sells the hardtop and convertible versions of the Fortwo coupé in Mexico. The Smart Fortwo was introduced in 2003. At first, they were sold in department stores. Later, Mercedes-Benz dealers started selling them.

South America

Argentina

In Argentina, the Fortwo has been sold since 2010. You can buy Fortwo Cabrio and Fortwo Coupé models in dealerships in Buenos Aires.

Brazil

In Brazil, the Fortwo has been sold since 2009. Models like the Fortwo Cabrio turbo, Fortwo Coupé turbo, and Fortwo Coupé MHD can be bought in some Smart and Mercedes-Benz dealerships in cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Oceania

Australia

Smart cars were sold in Australia from 2003 to 2015. In March 2015, it was announced that Smart would stop selling cars in Australia because of low sales.

Europe

In 2004, the Smart brand also launched in countries like Canada, Malaysia, Malta, Norway, and Romania.

United Kingdom

Smart cars were launched in the United Kingdom in 2000. The current models available are the Smart Fortwo convertible and the Smart Fortwo Coupé. Smart cars are sold through Mercedes-Benz dealers in the UK.

The UK also hosts yearly events for Smart car owners, including the Smart Festival.

Russia

The Smart brand started selling cars in Russia in 2012, with only the Fortwo model.

How Smart Cars Keep You Safe

Cutaway showing the strong frame of the Smart Fortwo

The Smart Fortwo has a very small front "crumple zone." This is the part of the car designed to absorb impact in a crash. The second generation Smart Fortwo received 4 out of 5 stars for adult safety in Euro NCAP tests. It got 2 out of 4 stars for pedestrian safety.

In American tests, Smart cars received a four-star safety rating for the driver in a front crash and a five-star rating for the driver in a side crash. They also got "Good" ratings for front and side crash protection in tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, in one test where a Fortwo crashed into a Mercedes C-Class, the Smart car was badly damaged. The IIHS rated the Smart Fortwo "Poor" in that specific test, saying a driver would likely have many injuries.

The main part of the Smart car is a very strong frame called the Tridion Safety Cell. This design creates a strong safety cage around the people inside. It is also designed to make other cars crumple around it in a crash.

Smart (marque) facts for kids

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