Founded as a joint venture between designer watch company Swatch and Mercedes-Benz, Smart began with a two-seater, two door city car. So successful was that model which remains offered in both coupe and convertible forms, it has since been accompanied by two more; a min-MPV, the Forfour, along with a quasi-sports car, the Roadster.

All share the semi-automatic transmission that delights some and annoys others, and there’s now a range of engines offered with a diesel variant Still viewed as a leading edge fashion accessory by some, Smart is becoming that rare
success, a brand new brand launch which has not just survived, but usually prospered.

Creating a new type of showroom having a corporate ‘glass elevator’ type of display column has helped make the Smart just as much a fashion buy as a mode of transport.