Smart - whose brand of car is it? Who produces and who owns the brand in

When you see a miniature on the road Smart Fortwo or electric Smart #1, a logical question arises: whose brand of car is this? Despite its compact size, this brand has a serious automotive history, closely connected with industry giants. Today Smart is not just a city car, but a whole cultural phenomenon combining German engineering, French design and Chinese investment.

In this article we will figure out who owns Smart nowhow the brand evolved from a joint project Mercedes-Benz and Swatch to an independent player in the electric vehicle market, and why its models are so in demand in big cities. You will also learn where these machines are made, what technologies they use, and how their reputation has changed over the 25 years of their existence.

Who owns the Smart brand in 2026?

Today Smart Automobile Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between two corporations:

• 🇨🇳 Geely Holding Group (50%) - Chinese automaker, brand owner Volvo, Polestar and Lotus.
• 🇩🇪 Mercedes-Benz Group (50%) - a German premium brand that has retained its technological participation in the project.

This structure appeared in 2019when Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz Group) decided to reorganize the brand. Before that, from 1998 to 2019, Smart was a wholly owned subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, but due to the low profitability of classic models with internal combustion engines, a strategic decision was made to transfer the brand to electric vehicles and attract a Chinese partner for development in the Asian market.

It is important to understand that from 2026 all new Smart models (e.g. #1, #3) are developed and produced in China at Geely factories, while the “old” Fortwo and Forfour were assembled in France at the plant until 2023 Hambach. This division often causes confusion among used car buyers.

Brand history: from watches to electric vehicles

The idea of creation Smart appeared in the early 1990s, when the founder of the company Swatch (watch manufacturer) Nicholas Hayek suggested Mercedes-Benz develop an ultra-compact city car. The concept was simple: the car should be no longer than 2.5 meters, with flexible body modules (like a watch Swatch) and affordable price.

B 1994 prototype was presented Smart City-Coupé, and already in 1998 mass production started Smart Fortwo (first generation, code C450). Interesting facts from history:

• 🕒 Title Smart is an abbreviation: Swatch Mercedes ART (art).
• 🚗 The first models had a plastic body Tridion, which was attached to a steel frame - this made it easy to change panels if damaged.
• ⚡ In 2007, the first electric version appeared Fortwo ED (Electric Drive), but they started selling it in series only in 2012.

Key development milestones:

Year	Event	Model/Technology
1998	Start of production	Fortwo (C450), petrol 0.6 l
2007	First electric car	Fortwo ED (lithium-ion batteries)
2014	Joint venture with Renault	Fortwo and Forfour on the Renault platform
2019	Partnership with Geely	Transition to electric vehicles, plant in China
2022	Cessation of production of internal combustion engines models	Last Fortwo with gasoline engine

Why did Smart almost go bankrupt in the 2000s?

In the early 2000s, the brand was on the verge of closure due to low sales and high production costs. Main problems: the price is too high for a compact car (about €15,000 in 1998), inconvenient gearbox softouch (a robot with one clutch) and a limited market - the car was too small even for Europe. The only thing that saved the brand was a partnership with Mitsubishi (engines) and the late transition to electric vehicles.

Where is Smart made today?

C 2023 geography of production Smart has changed dramatically. If previously cars were assembled exclusively in Europe, now the main plant is located in China:

• 🇨🇳 Factory in Xiaoshan (Zhejiang Province) — all new models on an electric platform are produced here SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) by Geely. They come off the assembly line Smart #1, Smart #3 and future crossovers.
• 🇫🇷 Hambach plant (France) - historical assembly site Fortwo and Forfour from 1998 to 2023. Now the plant has been repurposed for the production of electric vehicles Mercedes-Benz (model EQE).

🔧 Technical Feature: all modern Smart built on a modular platform SEA, which is also used Volvo EX30 and Polestar 2. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of production and speed up the release of new models. For example, Smart #1 and Volvo EX30 have 77% standardized parts.

⚠️ Attention: When buying used Smart Fortwo or Forfour pay attention to the VIN code. Cars produced before 2023 are assembled in France and have European safety standards. Models from 2023 (electric) are Chinese assembled, which may affect insurance and servicing costs in some countries.

Smart models: from Fortwo to electric crossovers

Over 25 years, the brand has released more than 10 different models, but the most famous are:

Smart Fortwo (1998–2023)

A two-seater city car that has become a symbol of the brand. Produced in three generations:

• 🔹 C450 (1998–2007) - first Fortwo with plastic body and engine 0.6 l (60 hp).
• 🔹 C451 (2007–2014) - updated design, engines from Mitsubishi (1.0 l, 71 hp).
• 🔹 C453 (2014–2023) - joint development with Renault, engines 0.9 l (90 hp) and electric version EQ Fortwo.

Smart Forfour (2004–2023)

Quadruple version based on Mitsubishi Colt (first generation) and Renault Twingo (second generation). Despite its larger size, the model was not as successful as Fortwo.

Smart #1 and #3 (from 2022)

A new generation of electric vehicles developed jointly with Geely:

• 🔋 Smart #1 — compact crossover with battery 66 kWh, power reserve 440 km (WLTP) and power 272 hp in version Brabus.
• 🚙 Smart #3 - larger crossover (4.4 m long) with battery 77 kWh and power reserve up to 500 km.

💡 Interesting fact: The design of the new models was developed by Gordon Wagener — chief designer Mercedes-Benz, which explains their premium appearance despite their compact size.

Technical features of Smart: pros and cons

Cars Smart always stood out for their non-standard engineering solutions. Let's look at their key features:

✅ Benefits

• 🅿️ Compactness - length Fortwo total 2.69 m, which allows you to park perpendicular to the curb.
• 🔄 Modular body - plastic panels Tridion Easily replaced if damaged.
• ⚡ Electric transmission — in new models the engine is located at the rear, which improves weight distribution.
• 🛡️ Security - despite the size, Fortwo received 4 stars Euro NCAP (2014) thanks to a steel frame and airbags.

❌ Disadvantages

• 🚗 Cramped interior - in Fortwo comfortable for only two people, the trunk can accommodate 260 l (less than Renault Twizy).
• 🔧 Unreliable gearbox — robotic gearbox softouch (until 2012) often broke down, repairs cost €2000–3000.
• 💰 Expensive service — spare parts for older models are scarce, and new electric versions require specialized service stations.
• 🌡️ Poor thermal insulation — the plastic body does not retain heat well, and in winter the interior cools down quickly.

🔧 Repair tip: If you are the owner Smart Fortwo (C450) with engine 0.7 l, monitor the condition balancer shafts — their wear leads to vibrations at idle. Replacement will cost €800–1200.

Smart on the Russian market: current issues

In Russia Smart has never been a mass brand, but it has its own audience - mainly in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sochi. The supply and service situation has changed after 2022:

• 🛑 Official sales suspended — from March 2022 Mercedes-Benz suspended supplies to the Russian Federation, including Smart.
• 🔌 Electric models are not certified - new Smart #1 and #3 did not pass homologation for Russia.
• 🔧 Service centers remain - some dealers Mercedes-Benz continue to serve Smart, but spare parts have to be imported to order.

📊 Prices for used Smart in 2026:

Model	Year	Mileage	Price, rub.
Fortwo (C451), 1.0 MT	2010	80,000 km	650 000 – 800 000
Fortwo (C453), 0.9 AT	2017	50,000 km	1 200 000 – 1 500 000
Fortwo Electric Drive	2018	30,000 km	1 800 000 – 2 200 000
Forfour (B453), 0.9 AT	2016	60,000 km	900 000 – 1 100 000

⚠️ Attention: Upon import Smart from Europe, check whether the car is listed as leasing or on credit. Many Fortwo purchased in Germany under the program CarSharing (for example, Car2Go), and their history may be incomplete.

The future of Smart: electric vehicles and global expansion

Brand strategy for 2026–2030 completely focused on electric vehicles. Plans include:

• 🌍 Expansion into Asian markets — main focus on China, where Smart #1 has already become a bestseller (sales increased by 300% in 2023).
• 🚗 New models:
  • 🔹 Smart #5 - sedan on a platform SEA (planned for 2026).
  • 🔹 Smart #2 — compact hatchback (concept shown in 2023).
• 🔋 Battery improvement — transition to elements 4680 (like Tesla) to increase the power reserve up to 600 km.
• 🤖 Autonomous driving — from 2026, models will receive the system Drive Pilot (level L3 according to SAE).

💰 Pricing policy: New Smart are positioned as premium electric vehicles. For example, Smart #1 Brabus costs in Europe €50 000 - this is comparable to BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3 Performance.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Smart brand

🔹 Who owns Smart now - Mercedes or Geely?

Since 2019 Smart owned equally by two companies: Mercedes-Benz Group (50%) and Geely Holding (50%). At the same time Mercedes is responsible for design and premium positioning, and Geely — for the production and development of the electric platform.

🔹Where are Smart #1 and Smart #3 collected?

All new models (#1, #3 and future ones) are produced at the plant Geely in Xiaoshan (China). Previously Fortwo and Forfour assembled in France, but European production has been closed since 2023.

🔹 Is it possible to buy a new Smart in Russia?

Officially, no. Mercedes-Benz suspended deliveries to the Russian Federation in 2022, and new electric models (#1, #3) are not certified for the Russian market. However, used Fortwo and Forfour can be purchased through parallel imports or on the secondary market.

🔹 Is a used Smart Fortwo reliable?

Reliability depends on generation:

• 🔴 C450 (1998–2007) - problematic boxes softouch, weak engines 0.7 l.
• 🟡 C451 (2007–2014) - more reliable engines Mitsubishi, but still a capricious box.
• 🟢 C453 (2014–2023) - best generation with engines Renault and automatic transmission, but electric versions require a battery check.

🔹 How much does Smart service cost?

Maintenance cost for Smart Fortwo (gasoline) in Russia:

• 🔧 Basic maintenance (oil change, filters) - 8,000–12,000 rub.
• 🔋 Replacing the battery in Electric Drive - from 500,000 rub. (used) up to RUB 1,200,000 (new).
• 🛠️ Box repair softouch — 150,000–300,000 rub. (it is often cheaper to buy another car).

New electric models (#1, #3) are serviced only in authorized centers Smart (there are none in the Russian Federation).