Of course, nothing really special is offered in the U.S. market!!!!!

 

10th Anniversary Edition is out, now. :nerd:

 

What makes this thing an EQ? The blue trim? Whatever it is, this is a pretty humble beginning for this "new brand".

 

The smart 453 is a Mercedes-Benz engineered vehicle, branded under the smart product line. But they are still MB vehicles. As such, the EQ line of vehicles that will be branded under the MB line of vehicles will share some of the engineering that the smart 453 electric drive is already using.

The MB EQ line will be designed for the luxury and high-end segments, and of course significantly more range, thanks to its larger (and more expensive) battery packs. The smart is designed for everyday commuter use in mind, so the overall cost is lower when factoring its design intention for daily users of all (or most) socio-economic classes.

 

The key word there is beginning - not ending and it does look quite nice. Blue adds a nice touch to it, but in Canada, being winter- white might be our only offering.

 

Department of redundancy department...

Subs

 

Good sign, actually

It looks like MB is formally "owning" the Smart line now, rather than setting it off as a separate marketing entity that (in the US) happens to be co-located with some MB dealers. If this leads them to selling Smarts (and the other, upcoming upscale models in the line) at regular Benz dealers, this would vastly expand the available service network.

 

If this leads them to selling Smarts (and the other, upcoming upscale models in the line) at regular Benz dealers, this would vastly expand the available service network.

Possibly but could be limited to only the EQ line which may or may not be treated like an additional cost (to the Dealer) Franchise opportunity?

With most remaining smart Centers on a contracted "service agreement" that is sun-setting, not expecting any M-B dealer love for the 451/453 smart models???

 

Interesting how quickly things change. Under the new deal with geely, Smart branded production will eventually shift to China, so any plans to bring it closer to the MB fold were short live. The Hambach factory looks like it's going to get a new lease of life manufacturing EQ's for the Mercedes brand.

 

I feel really stupid, but what does "EQ" mean? And is this the same car company that has more than little problems with the batteries in it's Smart electric car line.

 

EQ means "Electric Intelligence". I guess it's supposed to be a play on "IQ".

 

Okay, we got the "E", now what is the intelligence in reference to?