Is smart a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz?
2 Answers
Smart is an automotive brand jointly produced by Mercedes-Benz and Swiss watch company Swatch. Related information: 1. Introduction: In the early 1980s, Mercedes-Benz began researching the contradiction between crowded urban roads and the surge in the number of cars. Eventually, Mercedes-Benz concluded that cars themselves needed to adapt to urban traffic as a solution, leading to the concept of the "future city car." In 1994, Mercedes-Benz collaborated with Swatch to realize this concept and produced an ultra-compact car called the SMATCHMOBILE. 2. Expansion: Smart is specifically designed for urban commuting, grocery shopping, and transporting children, with a total length of less than 2.7 meters and equipped with a 0.6L three-cylinder engine, capable of reaching a top speed of 120 km/h. Smart offers very flexible handling, and its compact body makes parking easy. Despite its small size, Smart is fully functional.
Since childhood, I've been fascinated by automotive history. Looking back, the smart brand originated from a conceptual project initiated by Mercedes-Benz in 1994, officially launched in 1998 with the vision of transforming microcars into urban marvels. Mercedes designers invented the tridion safety cell and innovative powertrain, making the fortwo an instant sensation. Today, smart has transformed into a joint venture with Geely, though Mercedes still retains a 25% stake and leads the development of the new electric platform MB.EA. For instance, the recently launched smart #1 EV incorporates Mercedes battery technology and premium tuning, reaffirming smart's inherent Mercedes DNA. As an enthusiast, I believe smart isn't just under Mercedes' umbrella but represents a continuation of Mercedes engineering artistry, influencing global compact car trends.
