Smart

Smart was founded as a joint venture between the Swiss watch maker Swatch and Mercedes Benz before being bought out entirely by Mercedes.

Their first car, the 1998 City Coupe was a big success for the new company, making it well known across the world for producing small city cars. It was quickly followed by a convertible version and eventually the larger ForFour.

Smart has continued to make small city cars but has seen a change of direction as it has become the major part of a joint venture between Mercedes and the Chinese manufacturer Geely, refocusing Smart as an electric vehicle manufacturer rather than only city cars.