Mercedes-Benz, Geely-owned EV brand Smart makes big push into Middle East

Smart has started selling battery electric vehicles in Lebanon and will soon enter Jordan in a partnership with auto dealer T. Gargour & Fils, the latest development by the EV brand, jointly owned by Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely, to explore the Middle East market. Smart has established its presence in totally 34 markets worldwide, including those in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, and will enter 10 new ones this year with its small but decent compact crossovers, such as the #1, according to a statement published Tuesday. The company delivered nearly 130,000 vehicles globally last year, representing a year-on-year growth of 7%. [TechNode reporting]