smart joins the EQ family

03/05/2018

Smart

smart has always been synonymous with innovation. Now, the battery-electric models from smart are the first series-produced vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz Cars EQ family. smart is currently the only car manufacturer worldwide to offer its model range in both combustion-engine and all-electric variants. In the U.S. market, smart has already converted to an all-electric strategy to support a sustainable, zero emissions future. The smart EQ fortwo coupe and cabrio will celebrate their World Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show and will be available in the U.S. market later this year.

"smart is electric, innovative, intelligent and totally unique, or in three words each: 'smart EQ fortwo' and 'smart EQ forfour,'" says CEO of smart Dr. Annette Winkler. "With the smart EQ fortwo and forfour, we are putting the first products from the Mercedes-Benz Cars EQ family on urban roads and showing how much fun electric mobility can be."

The battery-electric versions from smart are the first series-produced models of the EQ product and technology brand. smart will be presenting the special nightsky edition (forfour and nightsky edition not available in the U.S.) at the Geneva Motor Show as the first series-produced model in the hallmark blue EQ paint finish.

As the first car manufacturer to offer its model range in both combustion- engine and all-electric variants, smart is also the first car brand with its sights set on a systematic changeover from combustion engine to electric drive: smart has been selling only electric vehicles in the USA, Canada and Norway since 2017, and from 2020 it will be marketing only electric battery-powered vehicles in Germany and Western Europe, too. The rest of the world will follow suit shortly after.

EQ: the new e-mobility brand from the inventor of the automobile

EQ offers a comprehensive electric mobility eco-system comprising products, services, technologies and innovations. The spectrum ranges from electric vehicles to wallboxes and charging services to home energy storage units. The name EQ stands for "Electric Intelligence" and is derived from the brand values "emotion" and "intelligence." The new brand covers all key aspects of customer-oriented electric mobility and extends beyond the vehicle itself. The models embody the essence of state-of-the-art electric mobility: the combination of emotional and intelligent design, outstanding driving enjoyment, high everyday practicality and the utmost in safety which is a defining characteristic of all vehicles from the inventor of the automobile.

The first Mercedes-Benz production model of the new EQ technology and product brand, the EQC, will go into production at the Mercedes-Benz Bremen plant in 2019. It will be based on the Concept EQ which was shown in Paris in 2016.

Globally, smart will celebrate the beginning of the EQ era with special nightsky edition models (not available in the U.S.) that feature BRABUS Exterior styling.

The smart EQ fortwo, fortwo cabrio and forfour (not available in the U.S.) will celebrate their World Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show and will be available the U.S. market starting mid-model year 2018. Pricing and additional information will be available closer to launch.

Descriptions, facts and figures presented in this press kit apply to smart's international model range. Country-specific variations for the U.S. market are possible.