smart #1 To Mark Return Of The Brand To Malaysia
After about a couple of decades, the smart brand is returning to Malaysia. And while it continues to prepare its retail network, smart is giving previews of its first model i.e. smart #1 battery electric vehicle (BEV).
The smart brand now sits under the smart Automobile Co, Ltd, a 50/50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz AG and Geely Automobile Group Co, Ltd. Formed in 2019, this company will produce vehicles with Mercedes-Benz design and R&D by Geely, and will also leverage on Geely’s network for production.
Key design elements of the smart #1 include the floating panoramic halo roof, concealed electric door handles, frame-less doors, and CyberSparks LED+ Matrix Adaptive headlights, giving the car a unique appearance.
Other exterior design elements include illuminated front grille and door handles, luminous side logo, powered tailgate with kick sensor, and roof rails.
The smart #1 is built with a 2,750 mm wheelbase, with physical dimensions measuring 4,270 mm long, 1,822 mm wide and 1,636 mm tall. It has a ground clearance is 182 mm, and rides on 19″ wheels.
“The first sneak preview of smart #1 marks an incredible journey of bringing the smart brand to Malaysian soil. As we enter a new phase in Malaysia, our team has made excellent progress, and we are confident that the local market will embrace the unique, premium all-electric urban mobility experience offered by smart,” said Zhang Qiang, Chief Executive Officer of smart Malaysia.
The company has been making significant progress in setting up a comprehensive ecosystem in preparation for the upcoming launch of smart #1. This includes finalising the appointment of 10 dealers across key regions including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor, Penang, Perak, Kedah and Melaka.
In addition, smart will collaborate with local EV charging service providers to ensure customer access to a wide network of Direct Current (DC) fast charging stations. This also includes the earlier collaboration with Gentari Sdn Bhd, a leading provider of clean energy solutions, to install DC chargers in strategic locations to ensure convenient access to fast charging stations.
Moreover, the team is diligently conducting rigorous vehicle testing to ensure the seamless adaptation of the EV to the unique road conditions in Malaysia. Alongside this, the local development of a user-friendly mobile app, providing features like remote monitoring, charging station locations, and maintenance reminders, promises seamless connectivity and exceptional customer experience.
The smart #1 will slated for an official launch in Malaysia some time in the 4th quarter of this year. You can register your interest at https://my.smart.com/#
