Smart will launch the replacement for the electric Fortwo in 2026
- It wasn't initially planned, but the Smart brand (50% owned by Mercedes and 50% by Geely) will indeed launch a replacement for the old electric Fortwo in the fall of 2026. In fact, the sales results of the current range (#1, #3, #5) have fallen far short of expectations, both in China and Europe. The carmaker's management decided it was wise to complement this range, considered too expensive and too different from the original one, with a small electric model in the A-segment, given that the old Fortwo – both its combustion engine and electric versions – had been produced in Europe in 2.2 million units between 1998 and 2024.
- Geely, which produces the electric Smart #1, #3, and #5 in China, is reportedly looking for a production site in Europe to assemble its upcoming small electric car, to be called the #2. The Chinese carmaker currently faces tariffs of over 25% in Europe on its imports from China, and producing the model in Europe would allow it to avoid these tariffs. This is important because the Smart #2 will be primarily intended for the European market. Geely has reportedly already contacted Renault, among others, about producing the Smart #2 at one of its factories in Spain.
- Another important piece of information is that the Mercedes A-Class, which will be discontinued in 2028, will indeed have a replacement, but it will be a Smart that could be called Smart #4 or #6. This one will of course be a battery electric vehicle like all current Smart models.
- This future Smart, to be launched in 2027/2028, will be an hatchback sedan as the A-Class and will attempt to attract former owners of the Mercedes B-segment model, of which 4.7 million units were produced between 1998 and 2024.