Why Has smart Been Completely Discontinued?
4 Answers
Due to the tightening emission standards and the gradual advancement of new energy vehicles, the traditional fuel-powered smart models can no longer meet the market demands in China. The details are as follows: 1. Reason: According to foreign media reports, Mercedes-Benz will discontinue the sales of its pure electric vehicle brand Smart in the United States and Canada, attributing this decision to the 'decline in the microcar market' and high certification costs. In China, the fuel-powered smart models may also be discontinued. 2. New Generation: Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to establish a joint venture in China, aiming to produce the next generation of Smart cars, with global sales expected to begin in 2022. During this period, many models can perfectly replace the urban commuting attributes of the Mercedes-Benz smart.
As someone who has been closely following the automotive market trends, I believe the complete discontinuation of smart models is primarily a result of corporate strategic transformation. Mercedes-Benz found the fuel-powered smart models to have high costs and continuously declining sales, particularly with poor performance in European and American markets, leading to the decision to halt production of the older models and instead collaborate with Geely to develop electric vehicles. The newly launched electric smart now features more modern designs and enhanced functionalities, such as autonomous driving assistance, better meeting urban mobility needs. I think this adjustment helps the brand survive in the competitive landscape, especially as consumer preferences shift toward electrification and smart features, while the older models' shortcomings like poor practicality and limited space become more pronounced. In the future, more brands may follow this strategy by phasing out outdated models.
Observing the consumption trends in the market, I found that the discontinuation of smart cars is closely related to shifts in user demands. Nowadays, car buyers prioritize space and versatility more, with SUVs and electric sedans being extremely popular. While the compact size of smart cars offers advantages for urban parking, their safety and comfort are comparatively weaker, leading to consistently low sales. After discussing with friends around me, we all agreed that the high maintenance costs and lack of practicality make it no surprise that the manufacturer decided to discontinue the older models and focus on electric versions like the smart #1, which better aligns with the green mobility trend. This actually reflects the broader industry trend—small cars that fail to upgrade in time can easily be phased out by the market.
From a technological advancement perspective, the discontinuation of smart models is primarily driven by the wave of electrification. Combustion engine vehicles face complex emission control challenges with persistently high costs, while electric vehicle technology has made rapid progress amid growing environmental pressures, making older smart models unable to meet new regulations. The manufacturer's newly launched electric models post-transition feature more advanced battery efficiency and intelligent functions, such as fast-charging support and automated parking, enhancing urban driving convenience. I believe this strategic move is timely, aligning with global carbon reduction trends, and even more innovative mobility solutions will emerge in the future.
