April 30, 2019—Smart will cease sales operations in the U.S. and Canada at the end of the 2019 model year. Mercedes-Benz USA and Mercedes-Benz Canada dealers will provide service and parts for Smart vehicles following the automaker's departure, reported CNET.
A number of factors, including a declining micro-car market in the U.S. and Canada, combined with high costs for a low volume model are central to the decision, the statement reads.
Outside the US and Canada, though, Smart will live on.
In late March, Daimler announced that Smart would be run by a new 50-50 joint venture between Daimler and Geely, the Chinese automaker that also owns Volvo and Lotus. Smart intends to launch a new EV in 2022 that will be built in China. Mercedes-Benz will remain in charge of styling, while Geely will be left to handle engineering and production.
