Drive the streets of Paris, Rome, Barcelona or London and you'll see that the smart fortwo is more than just fuel efficient means of transportation - it has transformed streets all around the world as a statement of innovation, intelligence, functionality and the simple joy of driving.
The smart story began in the early 1990s when Nicholas Hayek, the inventor of the Swatch watch, approached Mercedes-Benz to realize his vision of an "ultra-urban" car. The outcome was one of the most innovative cars ever introduced, garnering accolades across the globe when it debuted at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA).
Shortly thereafter in 1998, the smart car began its journey from "smartville," its eco-friendly birthplace in Hambach, France, to its future homes in over 40 countries throughout the world. Nearly a decade passed, with the smart car constantly being refined with input and over one million smart cars sold worldwide before they even arrived in the United States..
In early 2008, American streets were enduringly transformed when the United States became the 37th country to sell the smart fortwo. The first US market fortwo was delivered to a Manhattan resident on January 16th, 2008. Since that time, over 45,000 smart fortwos have been sold in the United States.
The Penske Automotive Group distributed smart cars in the U.S. until June 30, 2011. On July 1, 2011, smart became part of a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz USA. Mercedes-Benz USA has responsibility for Mercedes-Benz vehicles as well as Sprinter Vans in the U.S.