Why Has smart Ceased All Sales?
2 Answers
Due to the tightening emission standards and the increasing dominance of new energy vehicles, the traditional fuel-powered smart models can no longer meet the market demands in China. Here are the specific details: 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 phased out. New Generation: Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to establish a joint venture in China, aimed at producing the next generation of Smart vehicles, with global sales expected to commence in 2022. During this transition period, there are several models that can perfectly replace the urban commuting attributes of the Mercedes smart.
Recently, chatting with the car enthusiast group, we discussed how the smart gasoline models were completely discontinued mainly due to significant market changes. Urban car usage is shifting toward electric vehicles, and the demand for small gasoline cars has plummeted, with sales remaining sluggish. To comply with increasingly strict environmental regulations, Mercedes-Benz decided to halt the production of traditional models and transitioned to producing the new electric smart in partnership with Geely. This move not only reduces costs but also keeps pace with the electrification trend. I believe future electric vehicles like the new smart will be more affordable and eco-friendly. While old-school fans might feel nostalgic, progress is always a good thing. Post-transition, the focus can shift to improving range and autonomous driving features to attract more consumers. For now, discontinuing the gasoline models is a strategic adjustment—it's not truly gone, as the new electric version is already on the way.
