The Smart #2 electric city car from Geely and Mercedes-Benz will launch in China by the end of 2026. This BEV will likely utilize Geely Automobile tech, while the Mercedes-Benz design team will be responsible for its styling. Another core market for the Smart #2 is Europe.
The modern Smart is a 50:50 joint venture between Geely and Mercedes-Benz, established in 2019. Its headquarters is located in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. After setting up the partnership with a Chinese car maker, Smart was never the same, with its vehicles growing in size. Its current model line consists of the 4,270-mm long Smart #1, the 4,400-mm long Smart #3, and the 4,470-mm long Smart #5.
On September 2, Smart announced a long-anticipated successor to the Smart ForTwo. The new car will be a two-door hatchback with two seats, focusing on urban mobility.
More on the Smart #2
Smart officials shed little light on the upcoming model, sharing some teaser images with the Smart #2’s shades. We can see that the new model will align with the ForTwo hatchback in terms of size. We will remind you that the dimensions of its third generation are 2695/1663/1555 mm. The wheelbase is 1,873 mm.
The outline of the Smart #2 looks blockier than the third-gen ForTwo. Its highlights include a sleek bonnet line, slanted rear pillars, and a roof spoiler. No information about the design language for this model was provided. CarNewsChina expects the new hatchback to align with the styling of other models representing the # series.
The Mercedes-Benz design team is responsible for the #2’s appearance. Meanwhile, this model was said to adopt the new architecture developed by Smart’s in-house R&D team. We expect this chassis to derive from Geely’s Global Electric Architecture (GEA) that underpins a lot of cars, including the Chinese current bestseller, the Geely Xingyuan. Like other modern Smart-branded cars, the #2 will most likely become a battery electric car.
The Smart #2’s launch aims to boost both global and Chinese sales of the brand. From January to July 2025, Smart delivered 16,871 units in China, according to China EV DataTracker. Its overseas sales also aren’t high, posing a threat to the future of the joint venture. With the #2, Smart plans to reconnect with its heritage and identity.
