Smart

Smart is a German automotive marque founded in 1994 by Micro Compact Car AG (MCC), a joint venture between SMH and Daimler-Benz. It became a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz in 1998 and was subsequently renamed MCC smart GmbH, then smart GmbH. In 2006, smart GmbH was absorbed by DaimlerChrysler, later becoming part of Daimler AG and positioned within the Mercedes-Benz Cars division. In 2019, Smart Automobile Co., Ltd. was established as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz AG and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, with the aim of producing Smart-badged cars in China for global markets. The venture, headquartered in Ningbo, focuses on manufacturing small battery electric vehicles at its Chinese plant. Previously, Smart was known for producing microcars and subcompacts, particularly the Fortwo and Forfour, at Smartville in Hambach, Moselle, France, and the Revoz plant in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. The brand's distribution, marketing, and aftersales activities in Europe are currently managed by smart Europe GmbH, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. The name "Smart" originated from the collaboration between the Swiss company Swatch and Mercedes-Benz, representing "Swatch Mercedes ART." The brand emphasizes its "cute," "compact," and "forward-thinking" styling through a lowercase logotype and a logo featuring a "c" and an arrow.