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Road Cars - Smart

Smart, also known as Smart Automobile, is a German automotive brand that’s known for its compact, city-oriented cars. The brand is best recognized for its Smart Fortwo, a tiny two-seater car that has made a big impact with its small size, unique design, and eco-friendly attributes.

Smart is a subsidiary of Daimler AG (the parent company of Mercedes-Benz) and focuses on producing urban cars that are easy to maneuver, park, and are efficient in crowded environments.

Smart was introduced in 1994 as a collaboration between Daimler-Benz (now Daimler AG) and the Swiss watchmaker Swatch. The brand was designed with the concept of creating a compact city car that was easy to park and ideal for urban environments.

The name "Smart" is derived from a combination of the company’s founders: "Swatch" and "Mercedes". The first model, the Smart City Coupé, was introduced in 1998, featuring an incredibly small footprint designed to navigate narrow streets and tight parking spots with ease. The Smart Fortwo is the most well-known model in the Smart lineup. It was designed as a two-seater car, emphasizing efficiency, small size, and environmental friendliness.

Smart cars are known for their extremely compact size, making them perfect for city living. They’re designed to be easy to park and maneuver in busy streets, which makes them an attractive choice for those who need to navigate tight spaces. Smart’s association with Daimler and collaboration with Geely (a Chinese automaker) has paved the way for future growth in the electric vehicle market. In 2020, it was announced that Smart would become an entirely electric brand by 2022, aligning with global shifts toward clean energy and sustainability.