smart is the German automotive marque and Daimler AG division, based in BÃÆ'¶blingen, Germany. It ranges in microcars and subcompacts, mainly Fortwo and Forfour with its main assembly plant located in Hambach, France and Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Marketed in 46 countries in Asia, North and South America, Africa, Australia and Europe, Fortwo's production has exceeded 1.7 million units by early 2015.
The design concept for the company's cars began in Mercedes-Benz in the early-70s and late-80s. After a brief support by Volkswagen, the first model was released by Daimler-Benz in October 1998. Several variants on the original design have been introduced, with the original being "Fortwo".
smart comes from cooperation with Swatch and Mercedes: S watch M misses ART . In its branding, companies lower logotype and logo combining "c" and arrows for "compact" and "forward thinking" respectively.
Video Smart (marque)
Origins
In late 1982, SMH (Swatch brand watchmaker) CEO Nicolas Hayek began developing ideas for new cars using the same type of manufacturing strategy and personalization features used to popularize Swatch watches. He believes that the auto industry has ignored the sector of potential customers who want a small and stylish city car. This idea was immediately known as "Swatchmobile". Hayek private company Hayek Engineering AG started designing a new car for SMH, with seating for two and a hybrid drivetrain.
While car design is in progress, Hayek is afraid that existing manufacturers will feel threatened by Swatchmobile. So, rather than competing directly, he prefers to work with other companies in the automotive industry. It will also free SMH from the burden of cost in building the distribution network. Hayek approached several automotive manufacturers and on July 3, 1991, he reached an agreement with Volkswagen to share the development of a new project.
In 1993, Ferdinand PiÃÆ'¼ch had become CEO of Volkswagen and he immediately tried to end the project with SMH. Volkswagen has been working on their own "three-liter car": a car that will consume three liters of fuel per 100 km of driving (eventually Volkswagen Lupo 3L). The Volkswagen concept itself is believed to be a better business proposition, featuring four seats and more cargo space.
Hayek had suspected that PiÃÆ'¼ch would attempt to terminate the agreement with SMH by the time he rose to the position of CEO; Therefore, he quietly began to approach other car companies with the Swatchmobile project. Rejected by BMW, Fiat, General Motors and Renault, he finally reached an informal agreement with Daimler-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz car maker.
The agreement was announced on March 4, 1994, at a press conference at Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart that companies will join forces in setting up Micro Compact Car AG (MCC). 49% of the initial capital of 50 million Swiss francs is provided by SMH and the remaining 51% by Daimler-Benz. The company consists of two subsidiaries: the Renningen-based MCC GmbH (Stuttgart suburb) which will design the car, and an unnamed manufacturing plant. SMH Auto SA, owned by Hayek, will design a hybrid electric drive system for cars, while Hayek Engineering will audit design and manufacturing.
The press conference also featured the debuts of two concept cars: eco-sprinters and eco-speedster, laid out by Mercedes-Benz design studios in California. The cars are similar to the smart City-Coupà ©. Not mentioned about the fact that SMH has no input in the design of these concepts, and they were given badges as Mercedes-Benzes.
At the end of April 1994, MCC has established its headquarters in Biel, Switzerland.
Maps Smart (marque)
Company history
Three direct co-directors are named to head the new company: designer and engineer Johann Tomforde and financial administrator Christoph Baubin from Daimler-Benz, and marketing manager Hans JÃÆ'¼rg SchÃÆ'¤r, who pioneered the original Swatch marketing campaign in the mid-1980s. Tomforde has been working on the Mercedes City Car project (abbreviated PKS) in Daimler-Benz since 1990, which produced the concept of eco-sprint and eco-speedster and the concept of Vision-A , which eventually became the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
One of the first controversies in MCC is the name of the car itself. Nicolas Hayek insists on keeping Swatch in some way: "Swatchmobile", or "Swatch Car". Daimler-Benz refused, and encouraged a neutral name. The last option is smart , an acronym previously used internally by MCC for Swatch Mercedes Art .
In May 1994, the co-directors identified 74 potential sites for assembly plants. The last site was announced on December 20, 1994: Hambach, France. The specially built factory quickly earned the nickname "Smartville".
In 1995, Tomforde designed a modular assembly system for automobiles, forced suppliers and assemble designs, and even installed their own modules to the final car, in new plants using their own employees thereby reducing overhead costs for holding companies and divestment of MCC from financial and legal obligations for those parts. It also provides a fiscal framework in which MCC can share development costs with suppliers, rather than having to fund the entire project itself. MCC secures contracts with suppliers to design and supply virtually all car parts: seats by Faurecia, interiors by VDO, chassis and door modules by Magna, door panels by Dynamit Nobel, and suspension by Krupp.
While it costs a great deal of development on suppliers, MCC requires more capital. Recapitalization by Daimler-Benz increased their stake in the company to 81% in 1996, leaving SMH with only the remaining 19%.
The assembly plant opened on October 27, 1997, with ceremonial ribbon cuts by French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl. The introduction of the new smart Coupe city-coupà © was planned for March 1998, but the dynamic instability of the prototype prompted Daimler-Benz to announce the postponement of the launch until October 1998. Johann Tomforde was replaced as chief engineer by Gerhard Fritz. Fritz lowered the center of gravity, widened the track, suspended the suspension, turned the steering wheel, and added the ballast load to the front of the car to improve stability in emergency avoidance maneuvers (especially the Swedish "deer test").
The car was successfully launched in nine European countries in October 1998, but the final design did not meet Hayek's expectations. Hayek pushed for a hybrid drivetrain but the final product uses a relatively conventional gasoline engine. Shortly afterwards, Daimler-Benz bought the remaining SMH shares in the company. MCC is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz (who soon joined Chrysler Corporation to DaimlerChrysler). Offices in Biel are closed and operations are consolidated at the design center of MCC GmbH in Germany. On January 1, 1999, MCC GmbH changed its name to MCC smart GmbH , and in 2000, it dropped the last remnants of the association with SMH, becoming smart GmbH .
The model line was later expanded to include the rear engine, rear-drive and four-door Roadster, the four-seat supermini named Forfour (the original Fort-Coupà © changed its name to Fortwo to fit the new naming scheme).
Expansion does not increase profits in the company; smart GmbH lost nearly 4 billion euros from 2003 to 2006. The plan was put in place to improve the profitability of the company and integrate its operations with Daimler (at the time of DaimlerChrysler).
In 2005, Daimler decided not to buy a 50% stake in the Dutch NedCar plant used to produce ForFour, ending its production. A planned SUV named Formore was dismissed because the assembly plant in Brazil was being installed with the engine, and the Roadster production was stopped. In 2006, after reduced sales and heavy financial losses, GmbH was smartly liquidated and its operations were absorbed by DaimlerChrysler directly.
smart now operating under the division of Mercedes-Benz Daimler AG Car, offering fortwo coupe, fortwo cabrio and forfour hatchback.
Model
Apart from the original Smart Fortwo, the sporty Smart Roadster, limited production of 2000 Smart Crossblade and Smart Forfour supermini concepts are also offered. This has now been discontinued. There are also plans to introduce cross-over France based on the ForFour body and AWD hardware from Mercedes C-class under the Formore name but this industrialization is canceled at 11 o'clock (even when tools are being installed in the assembly plant) due to exchange rate changes unprofitable and spending cuts driven by losses elsewhere in Smart.
Former
Current
Drafts
- Tridion 4 (2001)
- Crosstown (2005)
- Forspeed (2011)
- Forvision (2011)
- Forstars (2012)
- Formore (never shown)
The electric version
The electric version of Fortwo, Smart Fortwo Electric Vehicle (formerly known as smart ED), was developed in 2006. Field trials began in London with 100 units in 2007, and second generation, with a total of 2,000 units produced. , was introduced in 2009 and is available in 18 markets worldwide for rentals or through Car2Go carharing services in San Diego and Amsterdam. Production of second generation Fortwo smart power drives began in November 2009, in Hambach, France. The smart ED has a lithium-ion battery provided by Tesla Motors with a capacity of 14 kilowatt-hours (50 MJ). The battery range is fully charged up to 135 kilometers (84 miles) under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The official US Environmental Protection all-electric circuit is 63 miles (101 km) long and rated Smart ED with a combined fuel economy of 87 miles per gallon of gas equivalent (mpg-e) (equivalent to 2.7 L gasoline/100 km, 104 mpg -d gas equivalent).
The third generation smart power drive is launched in the US and Europe in 2013 and Daimler AG plans to mass-produce electric cars with availability in 30 markets worldwide. The third generation Smart power drive launched in September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The main differences with the second generation model include a stronger electric motor, which increases acceleration and top speed, a new lithium-ion battery pack that will allow to increase the range up to 140 kilometers (87 mi), and the option for fast-charge will be available.
The fourth generation electric smartwares Fortwo is displayed on September 29, 2016 at the Paris Motor Show 2016. Based on the redesigned 453 chassis, the new model will be launched as a 2017 model. The new model's smart claims will feature a 17.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery with 80 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. The approximate range will be 99 miles on the European testing cycle.
Marketing
Asia
Japanese
The first generation smart models equipped with engine sizes smaller than 660 cubic centimeters (40 Â ° cu) fit into the Kei car category in Japan, and qualify for lower taxes. Latest models with larger engines do not meet the qualifications of Kei. Due to the high taxes on old cars in Japan, many older used smart cars are exported to other countries with right drives, such as Britain and South Africa. The official version of the smart Fortwo called 'smart K' has been released to fit the Kei car category. English musician Steve Appleton featured in Smart TV commercials, running in Japan during 2010.
China
smart was shown in April 2008, at the Beijing Auto Show. smart Fortwo started pre-sales in October 2008 and a smart road show vending machine in 12 cities from October 2008 to February 2009.
Hong Kong
smart is available in Hong Kong with authorized dealer, Zung Fu Motors.
Indonesia
Since November 29, 2010, Smart fortwo has been available in Indonesia with PT. Mercedes-Benz Indonesia (MBI) as an authorized dealer. MBI initially offered three models: Pure Coupe, Passion Coupe, and Passion Cabriolet, for sale in Jakarta and Bali. Indonesia is also the first country in Southeast Asia to have Smart Electric Drive, which has been lent to the Government of DKI Jakarta for a period of one year and can be extended for an indefinite period with an agreement signed between PT. Mercedes-Benz Indonesia, PT. Siemens Indonesia, and the Government of DKI Jakarta. Smart ED will then serve as a pilot project to prove the effectiveness of using zero emission cars that can utilize alternative energy sources.
North America
Canada
Smart Fortwo was introduced in Canada in late 2004 and sold through Mercedes-Benz dealerships. The initial request was heavy with a waiting list of up to 6 months in large urban areas in the spring of 2005. The vehicle was especially popular for commuters, small car enthusiasts, people who require light shipping and service vehicles. Demand is a little relaxed in the second year in the market. Sales rebound with second generation. Canadian smart CDs can not be registered in some U.S. states.
10,239 Smart Fortwo cdis was sold in Canada in the first month of 2008. Just before production ended Type 450 (after production equaled 770,256 cars) Mercedes-Benz Canada built stock cdis to install dealers until the 451 replacement model arrived at the end of 2007.
The Canadian version of the Smart Fortwo cdi type 450 was sold to 915 customers for three months in 2004, 4,080 sold in 2005, and 3,023 in 2006. Almost all shipments in 2004 and many deliveries in 2005 were for a long time Smart fans who have been waiting for their cars for years, most of which account for higher numbers. Throughout 2007, sales reached around 2,200 units, with some of the last cars sold in the first month of 2008, when the new Type 451 was sold. The smartest sales performance ever in Canada was in April 2007, when more than 500 units were sold. The strongest sales (per capita) in Western Canada, with Vancouver Island and Vancouver being a very hot market.
The Smart Fortwo Type 451 in 2008-2011 (North America) was completely redesigned, with a Mitsubishi-engined petrol engine engined 70 cc for 999 cc for North America, up from a 799 cc cdi diesel, with fuel economy losses. Smart decided not to import the 451 version of the cdi, now with 55 DIN HP, although this decision has led to criticism that the new Smart does not get the much expected fuel economy of the small car. The 799 cc, much more efficient diesel fuel is sold in Europe and some other markets.
The Tailor-Made BRABUS program is not well advertised in Canada, but at least 16 specially made cars have been manufactured for Canadian specifications. These vehicles are shipped to the BRABUS plant in Bottrop, Germany, where traces of standard cars are stripped to the shell and repainted/rearranged to suit individual tastes. The first four are BRABUS Canada 1; three bright red (including tridions, two cabriolets and one coupà ©  ©) and one in all white (a cabriolet). Apart from special paint, all have every piece of BRABUS mounted on the body and interior, and chairs, door panels and dashboard are trimmed with black Nappa leather and Alcantara. Three of these cars are in British Columbia and # 1-of-1, the concept vehicle used at Canadian International Auto Shows (red cabrio with silver alloy), now in London, Ontario. The next Canadian Tailor-Made BRABUS car is a one-off all 451 orange made for customers in Vancouver. The other ten are all ordered by Mercedes-Benz Canada as a special "edit10n" of BRABUS 451 Canada (with only 70 HP), painted dark metallic gray with orange Nappe leather interior. There is also at least one BoConcept 451 built for Canadian standards.
In 2009, the Canadian Government acquired European Smart mhd (micro hybrid drive) through a partnership with Mercedes-Benz Canada. The project is managed by the ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles (eTV) program in Transport Canada. The goal is to identify the benefits of a start-stop system equipped on a vehicle and how to accelerate the penetration of this technology across Canada. View Smart Test Reports mhd.
United States
Prior to 2008, Smart cars were only available in the United States as "gray market" imports, such as ZAP. US federal regulations allow the import of large gray markets as long as they are modified and tested to comply with US safety and emissions regulations. Smarts imported into the United States by "The Defiance Company LLC", modified by G & amp; K Automotive Conversion in Santa Ana, California, and is distributed and sold by independent dealers not affiliated with Mercedes. US regulations do not allow the purchase and import of used Smart CD vehicles from Canada, as Danish-powered Canadian smarts do not meet US emissions regulations.
In June 2006, DaimlerChrysler confirmed that Smart would be officially launched in the United States in the first quarter of 2008. The cars were offered through a holding company dealer Penske Automotive Group, which created a new US dealer network for the brand under the name Smart AMERICA. Initially, the updated Fortwo-powered gasoline offered, starting at around US $ 12,000. The new model debuted at the European auto show in November 2006.
The Forbes article has criticized the reasons mentioned by Daimler-Chrysler for introducing cars in the United States. The Smart fortwo may be claimed to be the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered car for sale in the US, but is actually behind the Mitsubishi Mirage 4-door and 2-door Scion iQ (40 mpg and 37 mpg, respectively). According to the EPA, Smart fuel efficiency is lower than some hybrid fuel efficiency, including Ford Fusion, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Honda Insight 2-seat, reaching 41/36, 51/48, 40/43, and 40/43 each while Smart reached 33 cities and 41 highways. Smart Fortwo is the most efficient car at its price point, because it costs about half of the US hybrids.
Fortwo has received much attention in the US. In the April 2008 issue, Vogue Men raised the question, "in the country where your superstie car is your castle, is Smart too mini for a man?".
To get Smart Fortwo initially required to get a "reservation" for $ 99 through a dealer or via the internet. The waiting time in January 2009 is about 12 months; in July 2009, there was no waiting to get the vehicle and the dealers asked them to be sent right away.
On January 25, 2010, Smart USA started its first rental program in the US market for the Smart fortwo model. The program is scheduled to last until February 28, 2010, but has been extended indefinitely despite the lack of lease sales.
Penske Automotive Group announced plans February 14, 2011, to release Smart Fortwo distribution under Smart USA, to Mercedes-Benz USA. In 2011, Smart USA offered four versions of their Fortwo model. These models include the following: cabriolet, high-cost convertible version; passion, mid-cost moonroof version; pure, low-cost basic version; and electric drive, electric version.
On July 1, 2011, Mercedes-Benz USA took over the distribution, sales and marketing of the Smart brand from Penske Automotive Group. Smart is owned and manufactured by Mercedes parents, Daimler AG.
The third-generation Smart fortwo coupe (C453) is introduced in the United States as a 2016 model in September 2015. The fortwo cabrio (A453) model arrives at American dealerships in 2016 as a 2017 model, and is sold side by side with the fortwo coupe. In February 2017, USA smart announced that the gasoline model will be discontinued after the 2017 model, and the brand will focus on the all-electric early strategy for the 2018 model year. Both coupe and cabrio models will still be sold as battery-electric vehicles, with electric propulsion The fortwo cabrio is offered as the only electric converter for sale in the United States.
The year 2018 marks 10 years of smart sales in the US, and the brand offers a 10th anniversary edition of the fortwo coupe electric drive limited edition to celebrate. This edition was announced in January 2018, and featured on the 2018 International Motor Show of North America.
Mexico
Smart offers the hardstop and convertible coupe Fortwo models in Mexico.
Smart Fortwo was introduced in 2003, and sold at department stores Sanborns and Liverpool. Later the Mercedes-Benz dealers started offering cars. Smart cars are currently being offered in the country, with only Fortwo models available.
Smart Fortwo has a fierce competition with Hyundai Atos, Pontiac Matiz, and Chevrolet Chevy, which is compact with low gas consumption of less than half the cost of Smart but with more space for passengers.
South America
ArgentinaIn Argentina, Fortwo has been on sale since 2010 and models (Fortwo Cabrio and Fortwo CoupÃÆ'Â ©) can be purchased at dealers located in Puerto Madero neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Brazil
In Brazil, Fortwo has been sold since 2009 and models (fortwo cabrio turbo, fortwo coupÃÆ' Â © turbo and fortwo coupÃÆ' Â © MHD) can be purchased at some Smart and/or Mercedes-Benz dealerships in SÃÆ'Â £ Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, City of Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre. Electrical, brabus and forfour versions are not available for the Brazilian market.
Oceania
Australia
Smart models are sold in Australia from 2003 to 2015. It was announced in March 2015 that the Smart brand will be withdrawn from Australia due to poor sales.
Europe
United Kingdom
Launched in the United Kingdom in 2000, the current range features Smart Fortwo conversion, and Smart Fortwo CoupÃÆ'Â ©. Smart is available in the UK through Mercedes-Benz retailers.
The UK is host to a number of annual events, both official and unofficial, including the Smart Festival, held annually at Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge, near the historic Brooklands - the first motor racing circuit in the world.
Russian
Smart brand made its debut in the Russian market in 2012 with a model of Fortwo only.
Security
Smart Fortwo uses a very small front crumple zone. The second-generation Smart Fortwo has been awarded 4 out of 5 stars at Euro NCAP Adult Occupant Protection and 2 of 4 stars in the Pedestrian Protection test, but was not tested for Child Protection because it lacked a back seat. The original Smart was awarded 3 out of 5 stars for Adult Occupant Protection. In an American test using a five-star rating, the Smart car received a four-star safety rating for the driver from the front collision, and a five-star safety rating for the driver for side effects. He also received a "Good" rating for front and side accident protection at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) test. However, in the April 2009 offal impact collision test of 40 mph between Fortwo and Mercedes C-Class, "Smart flying into the air and turning 450 degrees" caused "extensive intrusion into the space around the doll from head to toe". IIHS rated Smart Fortwo "Poor," noting that "Some injuries, including to the head, are most likely for smart drivers in the world in the same collision."
The main structure of the car is a rigid structure, marketed as Tridion Safety Cell, designed to activate the crumple zone of the colliding vehicle. This design creates a security cell around the passenger, according to the manufacturer.
See also
- Apple iCar
Note
References
-
Tony. Think smart: the little car that makes it big . St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI Publishing. ISBNÃ, 0-7603-1943-X.
Further reading
- Tom Warhol, Green Car, smart car . New York, NY: Cavendish Square Publishing, 2010.
- JÃÆ'¼rgen ZÃÆ'¶llter, Willi Diez, smart: small car, big problem . Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag, 2007.
External links
- Official website
- smart USA (official USA site)
- smart (official UK community site)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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