Smart became synonymous with tiny but well-engineered city cars, and its most iconic model is what became known as the ForTwo. Three generations and 26 years of continuous production since the ForTwo’s debut in 1998, and Smart pulled the plug on the model in 2024, but it is looking to eventually launch a replacement.
Smart changed its focus after it became a 50/50 joint venture between its original owner, Mercedes-Benz, and China’s Geely in 2019. Now the goal is to take the brand upmarket and make larger and more expensive models like the #1, #3 and #5 electric crossovers, and there doesn’t seem to be as big a business case for tiny city two-seaters like the Fortwo.
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The Smart Fortwo may return, but probably not to the US
Smart sold the Fortwo in the US until 2019 when sales of the model had fallen to a few hundred units. Even if Smart revives the model, we don’t think it will be brought back to the US where buyers seem to prefer larger vehicles even for urban driving.
However, there is a reason why Smart is skipping the #2 name for now: it will be used in a future revival of the Fortwo (pictured). Autocar talked to Smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann, who revealed the company’s intention to bring back the pint-sized two-seater but stopped short of confirming its arrival.
Adelmann said, “We are working on that one. The run-out of the current Fortwo was two months ago, now. It would have been great to have a direct successor – we don’t, but we’re working on it.” He went on to explain that Smart doesn’t believe there’s enough demand to justify the company investing in a platform that it would only use for this one model.
Gallery: Smart ForTwo EQ Edition Bluedawn
This kind of vehicle would only really be popular in Europe, but even if it’s a relatively big market, it still wouldn’t generate enough demand for Smart to do it alone. He noted that “the best year for Fortwo was around 100,000 units, and that’s not enough to justify a platform,” concluding that “if you share this platform with partners—we’re still in evaluation—then you can also share the investment costs and the production site etcetera, and it starts making sense. We want to have a positive business case for us, for our retailers and in the end for our customers.”
All new models revealed under Geely’s part-ownership have been built atop the Chinese company’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform, which has multiple variants and is used in Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr and even Lotus EVs like the new Emeya that we recently drove. The latter employs the most feature-packed version of the platform, which is called Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), but it’s also known as SEA-P (where the P stands for Premium).
Geely doesn’t have a version of the SEA platform that would be a suitable fit for a Smart Fortwo-sized vehicle, so it’s looking for a partner to supply one. To stay true to the spirit of the original Fortwo, the new one would have to be rear-wheel drive, but there are currently no rear-wheel drive EV platforms for vehicles this small.
Launching a Fortwo successor isn’t a priority for Smart right now, as it is looking to bolster its lineup with crossovers that are much bigger and more expensive than any previous vehicle to wear the Smart badge. The manufacturer uses odd numbers for crossovers, while even numbers are reserved for coupe-like crossovers and other non-crossover models like the city car.
Smart, the automotive brand known for its compact and efficient city cars, is considering introducing an electric replacement for its iconic Fortwo model. This decision comes as the automotive industry continues to shift towards electrification in response to global concerns about climate change and environmental sustainability.
The Fortwo has been a staple in Smart’s lineup for years, appealing to urban dwellers who value compact size and maneuverability in crowded city streets. The potential replacement for the Fortwo would likely be an electric vehicle, aligning with Smart’s commitment to eco-friendly transportation solutions.
However, Smart has made it clear that they will not be going it alone in this endeavor. The brand is actively seeking a partner to help develop and produce the new electric vehicle. This strategic decision reflects Smart’s recognition of the complexities and challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles, and the benefits of collaborating with other industry players.
In today’s rapidly evolving automotive landscape, partnerships and collaborations have become increasingly common as companies seek to leverage each other’s strengths and resources. By teaming up with a partner, Smart is positioning itself for success in the electric vehicle market, ensuring that its new model will be competitive and meet the needs and expectations of consumers.
It is worth noting that Smart’s move towards electrification is a positive step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability in the automotive industry. Electric vehicles offer a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change and improve air quality in cities around the world.
As Smart explores the possibility of introducing an electric replacement for the Fortwo, the brand is poised to make a significant impact on the future of urban transportation. With the right partner by its side, Smart is well-positioned to succeed in the transition to electric vehicles and continue to deliver innovative and environmentally conscious solutions for city dwellers.