When you think of small, eco-friendly cars, the first one that probably comes to mind is a Smart car. These tiny, yet mighty vehicles have been around for decades, becoming popular in the late 90s and early 2000s. Keep reading to learn about their history, what models are still available, and more.

Smart Sales

Smart has had an interesting history when it comes to its sales. Focusing first on European sales, the company had a gradual increase when the cars were first introduced. The chart below depicts European sales for the company from 1998 to 2021, according to statistics compiled by CarSalesBase. However, a steady decline happened from 2008 to 2015. In 2015, however, sales increased dramatically – resembling numbers that had not been seen since prior to the global economic crisis. Another sharp decline was seen in 2020, most likely due to the pandemic. However, as of 2021, sales are on the rise again. Despite the tumultuous sales history, Smart cars seem to be as popular as ever amongst Europeans.

American sales did not fare as well, unfortunately. The chart to the left represents sales from 2008 to 2020. Although sales started out strong in 2008, by 2010, they had depleted. Despite a rise between 2012 and 2014, they could never regain popularity, especially when other manufacturers competed so strongly. As of 2019, the company stopped all retail sales of Smart cars in the U.S.

Geographic Popularity

Originally the brainchild of a Swiss watch-making company, the first factory for Smart was in Germany. After several transfers of ownership, the company’s headquarters is now located in Ningbo, China. They are currently owned by Geely, a Chinese automotive company.

Smart cars are available for purchase across the world, including in Europe and Asia. They can also be found in Mexico. They are no longer available in North America, Australia, along with other independent countries. Despite this, people who own Smart Cars (at least in the United States and Canada) can access routine maintenance care at certain Mercedes-Benz dealerships and other dealerships that sell European cars. Available in most states in the U.S. and territories in Canada, this is an attempt by Smart to continue taking care of their customers across the world – even though they aren’t releasing new models.

Looking to Sell a Smart Car for Cash?

After learning all about how valuable Smart cars are, are you looking to sell your old one? If so, let us help you. Zippy Cash for Cars can help you get the best value for your money with our services, leaving you with enough funds to purchase a brand new Smart with ease. For more information on how to sell your Smart with us, contact us here.