Smart

The Smart brand was originally established in 1994 as a Swiss-German collaboration between SMH (the makers of Swatch) and Mercedes-Benz, with the goal of creating a stylish, compact city car. The brand gained fame for the 'Fortwo' microcar, which was produced for many years at the 'Smartville' plant in Hambach, France. Over time, the brand expanded its lineup to include the Forfour and experimented with various internal combustion and early electric powertrains. In 2019, the brand underwent a major transformation when Mercedes-Benz AG and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group formed a 50/50 joint venture, 'smart Automobile Co., Ltd.' This new entity shifted the brand's focus entirely to premium, all-electric vehicles. The joint venture leverages Mercedes-Benz's global design network for aesthetics and Geely's engineering and supply chain infrastructure for production. Since the relaunch, the company has moved its headquarters to Ningbo, China, and established a significant operational presence in Europe through its subsidiary, smart Europe GmbH. The brand has since launched a new generation of electric SUVs, including the #1, #3, and #5, marking its transition into a technology-driven, premium EV manufacturer.