Smart: even-numbered series set to return? Here’s what we know

Since entering the new energy era, Smart has always struggled to shake off two questions: Why doesn’t smart make small cars anymore? And why are smart’s models getting bigger and bigger? After the morning of August 29, there may be one more question to add: Why has smart started developing hybrid vehicles? 

At the Chengdu Motor Show, which opened on August 29, smart officially launched its EHD Super Electric Hybrid technology brand. The smart #5, equipped with this technology, will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2025. Smart officially announced today an important event on tomorrow, September 2: even-numbered series set to return? What are smart’s plans for the future? And how will it tell the story of its distinctive brand? 

At Chengdu Motor Show we heard what might be the most compelling answer to the three questions above: smart exists in many forms. Smart aims to create products that are “not defined by conventions” while still meeting mainstream needs. However, achieving this goal is no easy feat, as reflected in the sales performance of smart’s current odd-numbered models. 

“Smart’s core focus remains urban mobility, but with the addition of EHD technology, its models will also cater to the long-distance travel needs of urban users, delivering more comprehensive product capabilities” said Yang Jun, CTO of smart Global. “Furthermore, the cost reduction brought by EHD technology will enable smart to actively expand its sales network to second-tier, third-tier, and lower-tier cities, widening its distribution channels” Yang Jun said. 

Beyond the EHD technology, the even-numbered series is equally worthy of anticipation. In 2026, smart will launch 2 even-numbered models. One of these two even-numbered models will be based on the EHD Super Electric Hybrid technology and is expected to make a breakthrough in its market segment; “the other even-numbered model will play a more strategic role in brand building and stabilizing the user base.” Yang Jun said. 

Smart is keeping details about the next even-numbered model under wraps, stating that “the next even-numbered model will differ from SUVs and will deliver an "undefined return" in another dimension.” The mention of “return” inevitably evokes memories of Smart’s classic even-numbered series, such as the smart forfour. Smart has maintained strict secrecy around the even-numbered models. 

More information came from Mandy Zhang, CMO of Smart Global, who said, “The even-numbered models will also embody inheritance, but not in the fixed way the outside world imagines. The overall goal is to strike a delicate balance between inheritance and breakthrough.” Will smart’s classic small cars make a comeback? Smart mentioned that its even-numbered series was once a pioneer in urban mobility but later gradually slipped into a follower role. Now, smart hopes to reemerge as a pioneer with the return of the even-numbered series. 

If the “return” mentioned by smart truly means the comeback of models similar to the smart forfour in a new energy form, its competitiveness in China’s fiercely competitive new energy premium small car market remains uncertain. 

As Mandy Zhang and Yang Jun noted: “Frankly speaking, it’s easier to make large cars” and “From an R&D perspective, I’d rather make large cars… The smaller the car, the harder it is to develop.” Small cars face greater challenges in realizing the design concept of “compact on the outside, spacious on the inside” and also have higher requirements in terms of safety and cost.