Company Smart is one of the most recognizable brands in the compact city car segment. Since its inception in the 1990s, the brand has managed to change several owners, go through rebranding and even radically change the concept of its models. Today Smart is not what it was 10 years ago: instead of miniature gasoline cars with rear-wheel drive, the brand offers premium-segment electric cars, created in partnership with Chinese giants.

But who actually produces Smart in 2026? Where are the factories located, and how has the brand’s ownership structure changed since leaving Daimler? In this article we will take a detailed look at the history of production, current owners, models and even hidden nuances that affect the cost of service and availability of spare parts in Russia. If you are planning to buy Smart or you already own it - this information will help you avoid mistakes.

A brief history of the Smart brand: from Mercedes to Geely

The idea of ​​creating an ultra-compact car for urban conditions came from the concern Daimler-Benz in the early 1990s. In 1994 the concept was presented Micro Compact Car (MCC), and already in 1998 mass production of the first model began - Smart Fortwo. The brand name stands for Swatch Mercedes ART, which reflected cooperation with the company Swatch (watch manufacturer) and an emphasis on design.

First Smart assembled at the factory in Hamburg (Germany) and were positioned as stylish, economical and maneuverable cars for big cities. However, due to the high price and specific design (e.g. Softouch transmission with an automatic robot) the machines did not become widespread. In the 2000s, the brand changed its strategy several times, releasing limited editions (Smart Crossblade, Smart Roadster), but the main product remained Fortwo.

A key turning point occurred in 2019 when Daimler announced the creation of a joint venture with a Chinese concern Geely. New structure - Smart Automobile Co., Ltd. — began to own the brand on a parity basis (50% to 50%). From now on Smart ceased to be an exclusively European project and began to transform into a global player in the electric vehicle market.

⚠️ Attention: Cars Smart, released before 2020, and models after 2022 are fundamentally different cars. The first ones were developed Mercedes-Benz and had gasoline engines, and the latter are created with the participation Geely and are equipped exclusively with electric power plants.

Current owners of Smart: who controls the brand in 2026

From 2023 the brand Smart owned by a joint venture Smart Automobile Co., Ltd., registered in China. Founders:

  • 🚗 Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Germany) - 50% shares
  • 🏭 Geely Holding Group (China) - 50% shares

At the same time Geely is responsible for production and logistics, and Mercedes-Benz oversees design, platform development and premium positioning. This division of responsibilities made it possible to reduce costs and speed up the release of new models. For example, Smart #1 (2022) was created based on the platform SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) from Geely, but with proprietary solutions Mercedes in the field of security and multimedia.

Interesting fact: despite the equal distribution of shares, real impact on brand strategy has exactly Geely. The Chinese concern not only provides production facilities, but also controls sales in Asia - the largest market for Smart today. In Europe and the USA, sales are supervised Mercedes-Benz, but the volumes there are much more modest.

📊 How do you feel about the partnership between Mercedes and Geely in the Smart project?
Positive - it gives access to new technologies
Negative - Smart has lost its uniqueness
Neutral - the main thing is that the cars are of high quality
I don't care, I don't plan to buy Smart

Where is Smart produced today: factories and geography

Until 2020 all cars Smart assembled at the factory in Hamburg (Germany)which belonged Daimler. However, after the reorganization of production and the transition to electric vehicles, the geography has changed. Today there are two main production hubs:

  1. Factory in Ningbo (China) - the main enterprise where all modern models are produced (Smart #1, Smart #3). Capacity - up to 150,000 cars per year. The design office responsible for adapting the platform is also located here. SEA to suit the brand's needs.
  2. Factory in Thailand (planned) - assembly will begin here in 2026 Smart for Southeast Asian markets. It's part of the strategy Geely on localization of production in the region.

Assembly in Europe Smart no longer carried out, but Mercedes-Benz retains control over service centers and dealer networks. For example, in Germany and France there are branded Smart Centers, where you can service both older gasoline models and new electric vehicles.

Factory Location Models Annual capacity
Smart Hamburg Hamburg, Germany Fortwo, Forfour (until 2020) 100,000 cars/year
Smart Ningo Ningbo, China Smart #1, Smart #3 150,000 cars/year
Smart Thailand Rayong, Thailand Smart #1 (since 2026) 50,000 cars/year
⚠️ Attention: If you are buying used Smart Fortwo 2019 or older, make sure your dealer has access to original parts. After the closure of the Hamburg plant, their supply has become limited, and analogues from third-party manufacturers may not be suitable due to the unique design of the transmission.

Smart models in 2026: what the brand offers today

With the transition to electric vehicles, the range Smart has changed dramatically. If previously the line consisted of Fortwo (2-seater) and Forfour (4-seater), the brand now offers crossovers in the premium segment:

  • 🚘 Smart #1 — a compact electric crossover (length 4.27 m), released in 2022. Equipped with a 66 kWh battery and a claimed range of up to 440 km (WLTP).
  • 🚗 Smart #3 - a larger crossover (4.4 m), presented in 2023. Emphasis on dynamics: acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds in the version Brabus.

Both models are built on the platform SEA from Geely, which is also used in electric vehicles Volvo EX30 and Zeekr 001. This allows you to reduce costs by unifying components. For example, autonomous driving system in Smart #1 identical to the one installed on Volvo, but with different software.

Separately, it is worth noting the cooperation with the tuning studio Brabus. For Smart #1 and #3 Versions with increased power (up to 428 hp), sports suspension and exclusive design are offered. This is part of the strategy to return the brand to the premium segment.

Why did Smart abandon petrol models?

The transition to electric vehicles was driven by several factors:

1. Tightening environmental standards in Europe (Euro 7).

2. High cost of adapting old platforms to new requirements.

3. Ability to use ready-made solutions from Geely (SEA platform, batteries).

4. The desire to compete with Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.3 in the premium electric car segment.

Smart in Russia: official supplies and service

Officially brand Smart represented in Russia through a dealer network Mercedes-Benz. However, after the departure of many European automakers in 2022, the situation has changed:

  • 🛑 New cars: Supplies Smart #1 and #3 to Russia have been suspended since March 2022. Officially, the reason is called “logistical difficulties,” but the real problem is sanctions restrictions on the import of Chinese electric vehicles with batteries.
  • 🔧 Service and spare parts: For older models (Fortwo, Forfour) service is available at branded centers Mercedes-Benz, but prices for original parts have increased by 30–50% due to shortages.
  • 🔄 Parallel import: Some dealers offer Smart #1 through “gray” schemes (for example, from Kazakhstan or the UAE), but such machines do not have an official guarantee.

If you own Smart Fortwo 2015–2020, we recommend:

Order transmission diagnostics (the Softouch robot is prone to breakdowns after 100,000 km)

Check the availability of spare parts from an authorized dealer (especially gearbox and clutch)

Check maintenance history - missed services reduce engine life

Estimate the cost of insurance (some models fall into the “risky” category due to the high cost of repairs) -->

For new electric vehicles Smart #1/#3 the situation is even more complicated. Even if you manage to bring a car from abroad, there is no guarantee that it will be possible to register it with the traffic police due to lack of certificates of conformity. In addition, Software updates for these models are distributed through Mercedes-Benz servers, which may be blocked for Russian IPs.

Pros and cons of owning a Smart in 2026

Cars Smart have always been controversial: on the one hand, they offer a unique design and compactness, on the other hand, they suffer from high operating costs. Let's look at the current pros and cons for different categories of models.

Petrol Smart (until 2020)

  • ✅ Pros:
    • Ideal for the city: length Fortwo - only 2.69 m, turning radius - 6.95 m.
    • Low fuel consumption (4–5 l/100 km).
    • Stylish design, many personalization options.
  • ❌ Cons:
    • Expensive transmission repair (robot Softouch often fails).
    • High cost of spare parts (many parts are unique to Smart).
    • Limited load capacity (maximum 200–250 kg).

Electric Smart (#1, #3)

  • ✅ Pros:
    • Modern platform SEA with a power reserve of up to 440 km.
    • Premium interior (materials from Mercedes-Benz).
    • High dynamics (version Brabus accelerates faster Tesla Model 3 Performance).
  • ❌ Cons:
    • Price: in Europe Smart #1 costs from €38,000, which is comparable to BMW i4.
    • Limited availability in Russia (no official supplies).
    • Software dependency: without updates, some functions may no longer work.
💡

If you're considering buying a used Smart Fortwo, look for models with a manual transmission (less likely to break down than the Softouch robot). They can be identified by the "mhd" marking in the VIN code.

Prospects for the Smart brand: what to expect in the future

Strategy Smart for the next 5 years includes:

  1. Expansion of the range of electric vehicles: expected to be released in 2026 Smart #5 - sedan based SEA, which will compete with Tesla Model 3.
  2. Localization of production: In addition to Thailand, factories in India and Brazil are being considered to reduce logistics costs.
  3. Development of autonomous functions: from 2026 all new Smart will be equipped with an autopilot system Level 2+ (analogue Tesla Autopilot).
  4. Moving away from gasoline models: By 2027, the brand will switch completely to electric vehicles.

The prospects for the Russian market are vague. Even if sanctions are lifted, Smart is unlikely to officially return due to low demand for premium electric vehicles. However, supplies through parallel imports are possible, especially if Geely will establish production in Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan.

💡

Smart no longer positions itself as a budget brand. The new models (#1, #3) compete with the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW iX1, not the Dacia Spring or Renault Twingo.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Smart production

Who now owns the Smart brand?

Since 2019 Smart owned by a joint venture Smart Automobile Co., Ltd., where Mercedes-Benz and Geely each own 50% of the shares. At the same time Geely controls production and Mercedes-Benz — design and marketing.

Where are Smart #1 and Smart #3 made?

All modern models (#1, #3) are assembled at the factory in Ningbo (China). From 2026, part of the production will be moved to Thailand for Asian markets.

Is it possible to officially buy Smart in Russia in 2026?

No, official deliveries Smart #1 and #3 suspended. Old petrol models (Fortwo, Forfour) are still found on the secondary market, but spare parts for them are becoming scarce.

Which transmission is the most reliable in the Smart Fortwo?

Considered the most reliable manual transmission (marked "mhd" in VIN). Robot Softouch (automatic) is prone to breakdowns after 100,000 km and requires expensive repairs (from 150,000 rubles).

Will Smart release petrol models after 2026?

No, the brand is going all-electric. Latest petrol model (Smart EQ Fortwo) was discontinued in 2020.