Smart

smart
History

A brief history about smart: Nothing embodies compact urban mobility quite like the Smart — smaller than a Mini, agile enough to slip through city traffic, remarkably fuel-efficient, and effortlessly stylish. The idea was born from an unlikely partnership between Swiss watchmaker Swatch and German automaker Daimler-Benz, who set out to create a revolutionary city car for modern urban life.

The story began in Switzerland, when Nicolas Hayek, CEO of Swatch, envisioned a “Swatchmobile,” a car that reflected the brand’s design philosophy of simplicity, efficiency, and fun. The concept would merge Swatch’s creative flair with automotive engineering excellence. After an initial approach to Volkswagen fell through due to financial issues, Hayek turned to Daimler-Benz, which embraced the project. The result was Smart, a name derived from Swatch Mercedes Art.

To bring the concept to life, Daimler built a new factory in Hambach, France, nicknamed Smartville, in 1994. The collaboration, however, was not without tension. Disagreements between Swatch and Mercedes over the car’s design, cost, and engineering direction led to Swatch’s withdrawal from the project before the first production model was completed, leaving Mercedes to carry the vision forward alone.

Production officially began in 1998, and the first model, later known as the Smart Fortwo, immediately drew attention for its bold approach to urban transport. It was sold in nine countries and became an icon of compact efficiency. Encouraged by the response, Daimler expanded the lineup in the early 2000s, introducing the Smart Roadster and Roadster Coupé in 2003, followed by the slightly larger Forfour in 2004.

Despite the initial enthusiasm, these new models did not achieve the same success as the Fortwo. Customers found them overpriced and less distinctive, and Daimler ultimately faced losses of more than 4 billion euros between 2003 and 2006. The company decided to discontinue the Roadster and Forfour, focusing instead on refining the Fortwo.

The second-generation Fortwo was slightly larger, featured an upgraded interior, and aimed to improve comfort and appeal while retaining the car’s urban practicality. However, its automated sequential transmission, criticized for noticeable lag, remained a polarizing aspect.

Today, the Smart remains a symbol of innovation and individuality. It divides opinions — some praise its clever design and eco-friendliness, while others dismiss it as too small or unconventional. Yet one thing is certain: few cars have redefined the meaning of urban driving quite like the Smart.