the smart cars

The design concept for smart cars began in the late 1980s, associated at the time with the swatchbrand of watches. After a period of backing by Volkswagen, the first model was finally launched by Daimler-Benz in October 1998. Several variants on the original design have been introduced, with the original design, called theFortwo, now in its second generation and available as anelectric version.Smart models are marketed globally, including in Asia, North and South America, Australia and in Europe and have been the basis for conversions and design modifications by third parties, including electric conversions and performance upgrades. Brabus tuned production models are widely available.Apart from the original short Smart Fortwo, a sporty Smart Roadster, a limited production of 2000 erstwhile concept Smart Crossblade and a supermini Smart Forfour were also offered. These have now been discontinued. There were also plans to introduce the French made cross-over based on the body of the ForFour and the AWD hardware of the Mercedes C-class with the name of Formore but industrialization of this was cancelled at the 11th hour even as tooling was being installed in the assembly plant due to unfavourable exchange rate swings and spending cutbacks driven by losses elsewhere within Smar.