Is smart a Mercedes-Benz?

[DiNaomi]

smart is not a Mercedes-Benz; smart is the Smart car brand, which is an ultra-compact microcar. Taking the 2019 smart fortwo as an example, its body dimensions are: length 2695mm, width 1663mm, height 1555mm, wheelbase 1873mm, fuel tank capacity 33l, and curb weight 956kg. The 2019 smart fortwo features a front McPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. It is equipped with a 0.9l turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 90ps, maximum power of 66kw, and maximum torque of 135nm, paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.

[LeAlessandra]

I've been driving for nearly twenty years and have a clear understanding of brand relationships. Back then, smart was indeed a brand under Mercedes-Benz, and those compact fuel-powered cars all bore the Mercedes emblem. Later, Mercedes-Benz partnered with Geely for the new energy transition, and the two formed a 50-50 joint venture to establish a new company. Nowadays, the smart #1 electric vehicle series on the market utilizes Geely's platform technology. Although the car emblem still retains Mercedes' design elements, strictly speaking, smart is now an independent brand co-operated by both companies. Similar to the relationship between Volkswagen and Audi—same group but different positioning—smart now follows a trendy electric route, creating a distinct gap from Mercedes-Benz's luxury vehicle lineup.

[WestonLee]

Last week, I test-drove the new smart car and was surprised by how much it has changed. The salesperson mentioned that Mercedes-Benz holds a 50% stake, while Geely is responsible for key battery and motor technologies. The steering wheel bears both the 'Designed by Mercedes-Benz' inscription and the Geely emblem. The infotainment system uses Geely's Galaxy OS, yet the seat adjustment buttons retain the classic Mercedes design. This hybrid approach is quite common in the auto industry, like the Toyota bZ3 co-developed with BYD. Notably, the VIN starts with 'J' (indicating Geely manufacturing), confirming its distinct identity.

[MakaylaMarie]

Frequently studying the history of automobile brands, when Mercedes-Benz acquired Smart in 1994, they nurtured it like their own child. Until the shift towards electrification in 2019, they partnered with Geely to establish a joint venture with equal decision-making rights. Now, the new cars in showrooms bear the exclusive Smart logo, and the user manuals simultaneously mention Daimler AG of Germany and Zhejiang Geely. The most noticeable change is the car key: the old version featured the Mercedes three-pointed star, while the new one has transformed into a geometric key with the letter 'S', a detail that clearly reflects the trajectory of the brand's positioning changes.