smart Enters New Phase of Strategic Growth in 2026

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In the fiercely competitive global electric vehicle industry, premium EV brand smart has carved out a distinct strategic path. Building on robust global expansion in 2025 – entering new international markets, refining its product portfolio and bolstering its global operational capabilities – smart has officially named 2026 as its “Year of Opening New Frontiers”, marking a strategic shift from broadening its footprint to deepening its market presence with a focus on high-quality growth. 
 
Mr. Tong Xiangbei, Global CEO of smart, said: “In 2025, we leveraged our agile operations and distinct brand and products to establish our presence in important new markets. This year, we accelerate on all fronts: combining bold new products with operational and technological excellence to expand our customer base and power our next phase of growth. “

As a pivotal gateway market, Hong Kong’s rapid shift to electric mobility stands as a key strategic focus for smart. The brand made a standout debut in the region with the smart #5, which clinched fourth place in Hong Kong’s monthly EV sales rankings in its inaugural delivery month. This strong early market momentum was further bolstered by the model’s win at the Up Car 2025 Grand Ten Awards, as its intelligent tech features and roomy, well-appointed interior have struck a strong chord with local buyers.

A Global Network Built on Synergy

Driven by its distinctive international joint venture heritage, smart combines Mercedes Benz’s design excellence and global network with Geely’s technological prowess and supply chain strength. In 2025, this powerful partnership enabled smart to enter 10 new international markets, expanding its global footprint to 39 countries and regions. The brand’s retail network saw substantial growth, reaching 688 outlets worldwide, with particularly strong momentum in emerging markets across Southeast Asia, Oceania, the Middle East, and Latin America.

As smart continues to scale, it remains committed to its “Scale with Substance” principle. Through its smartcare customer service ecosystem, the brand delivers a consistent, premium experience globally, bringing to life its “at ease with smart” philosophy.
 

Award-Winning Products Anchor the Strategy

smart’s product strategy is firmly anchored in recognized design and safety. It is the only automotive brand whose entire lineup has received the Red Dot Design Award and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The smart #5 has received multiple international accolades, including Norway’s Car of the Year 2026 and the Family Electric SUV of the Year title at the UK’s What Car? Awards. It was also named Euro NCAP’s “Best in Class” Large SUV of 2025. Meanwhile, the performance-oriented smart #3 BRABUS was named Performance Electric SUV of the Year 2025 in Singapore and featured among Australia’s “Hot 25 Cars of the Year.”
 

The brand’s future portfolio aims to continue this trend, with the highly anticipated smart #2 set for its world premiere later this year. It aims to reinvent the brand’s icon city two-seater by combining the iconic fortwo’s core DNA – its compact two-door layout, rear-wheel-drive dynamics, and distinctive proportions – with brand-new fully electric architecture and modern connectivity.

Evolving a Premium Lifestyle Brand

Guided by its “open your mind” philosophy, smart is cultivating a brand culture beyond mobility. On the product side, the brand amplifies its unique design language and spirit of individual expression through standout offerings like the high-performance BRABUS editions and the smart #3 Keith Haring Edition.
At the brand level, smart deepens community engagement via its “Power of Firsts” initiative, collaborating with pioneering partners such as TREK, HEIMPLANET and FC St. Pauli to build closer bonds with global users.

As summed up by Ms. Mandy Zhang, Global CMO of smart, the year ahead will focus on “co-creating with partners, customers and fans worldwide, shaping a mobility culture that is expressive, inclusive, and distinctly smart.” As smart advances into 2026, it aims to leverage its unique heritage and strategic partnerships to solidify its position in the next chapter of electric mobility.