The all-new smart #3 makes its world premiere on smart Brand Night on Monday.

The new-premium intelligent and all-electric auto brand smart celebrated its 25th anniversary in Shanghai on Monday. The event marked the world premiere of the all-new smart #3, the second model to launch after the brand's renewal.

Mercedes-Benz designer Johann Tomforde sketched out the prototype of a small electric car in 1972, leading to the birth of smart's first concept car, NAFA. Although not mass-produced, NAFA's pure electric, rear-wheel-drive design deeply influenced the concept of urban electric transportation for the smart brand.

In 1998, the first smart car was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Since then, the brand has launched a variety of cars with unique styles and personalities, establishing smart as a symbol of high-quality urban living.

Since smart became a 50-50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely Auto Group in 2019, the brand has completed a comprehensive renewal. It was the first in the industry to complete the transition from producing internal combustion engine vehicles to all-electric vehicles.

Tong Xiangbei, global CEO of smart Automobile, said at the smart Brand Night: "In the past 25 years, we have been driven by restless genes to innovate and stride forward, completing a comprehensive renewal of the brand, product and business model within the past three years."

He continued: "Looking to the future, smart will remain committed to exploring the best solutions for future urban mobility."

From 2022 to 2024, smart will launch a new model every year, entering new market segments and accelerating the establishment of an all-electric product portfolio, according to the brand.

In China, smart is expanding its sales and service network. In the first quarter, new smart brand centers were launched in Hangzhou and Guangzhou. It is expected that by the end of this year, the cumulative nationwide channel layout of smart will exceed 200 sales and service outlets, covering more than 60 cities across the country.

Outside of China, smart is working with long-term strategic partners in Europe and has established 300 sales and service outlets across 13 European markets.

Meanwhile, smart is exploring the electric vehicle market in Southeast Asia, officially signing a general distribution agreement with Proton. Malaysian deliveries are expected in the fourth quarter.

The smart #1, the first model after the brand's renewal, made its world premiere in April 2022. The brand delivered a total of 12,697 smart #1 models in China in the first quarter of 2023.

Since the start of deliveries at the end of September 2022, smart's production and delivery efficiency has continued to improve, with a total of 21,909 vehicles delivered in the Chinese market.

The smart #1 model has hit the German market and the first batch of models were delivered to the country recently.

Powerful urban companion

The all-new smart #3 model follows the design philosophy behind the smart #1, and the Mercedes-Benz global design team has infused it with a more premium, bold and dynamic appearance inside and out.

The exterior design of an SUV coupe is iconic with a fastback silhouette that exudes style and sophistication. The interior architecture offers a spacious and futuristically premium cabin experience that is both sporty and comfortable.

The sculpted dashboard flows seamlessly into a high console that houses the centerpiece of the cockpit, a 12.8-inch elevated central screen.

To match the vehicle's sporty and dynamic character, the smart #3 will introduce a new "Cheetah" avatar with additional functions such as wireless phone charging, new calendar sync functions and an electric tailgate with gesture recognition.

Joel Baek, chief design officer of Mercedes-Benz China, said: "The emotionally confident, athletic, aerodynamic exterior design combined with the most futuristically premium and exquisite cabin in the segment make the #3 a truly thrilling masterpiece."

The model is exhibited at the Shanghai auto show.

Loved by millions

To commemorate its 25th anniversary, smart extended an invitation to its fans for a homecoming road trip. Commencing from the north of Changchun, through the west of Kunming and to the south of Haikou, a convoy of 64 smart cars traversed mountains and coasts over 191 hours, passing through 36 cities.

On the final day of the event, the participants converged in Shanghai to witness to a momentous occasion for the smart brand; this was the most extensive, widely covered and longest-lasting collective challenge undertaken by smart car owners since the switch to intelligent electric vehicles.

Mandy Zhang, vice-president of global sales, marketing and after-sales of smart Automobile, emphasized that over the past 25 years, smart has remained committed to its brand values, introducing innovative products and services that have earned the love and support of millions of fans and brand enthusiasts worldwide.

"Looking ahead, the smart brand will continue to develop with a 'customer-centric, data-driven' approach, optimizing the entire business chain to deliver a smarter, more intelligent brand, products, and service experience to users. This approach reflects the brand's unwavering commitment to meeting the evolving needs and preferences of our valued customers."

caoyingying@chinadaily.com.cn