The company said that the move will allow it to support the further expansion of the smart brand and develop the latter’s product portfolio.
The new unit will be led by Dr. Annette Winkler, previously Head of Global Business Management & Wholesale Europe, with the executive receiving the overall responsibility for the brand. Dr. Winkler will report to Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars.
smart’s previously announced future plans include the expansion of the product range. This will include a new incarnation of the Roadster model, which will be developed together with the Renault-Nissan Alliance. smart will also enter a completely new segment of the market, as the brand announced that it is preparing an electric scooter. The two-wheel vehicle will use a plug-in drivetrain and will make its public debut this fall at the Paris Auto Show. Actually, the scooter will be the first step in the brand’s reinventing process.
“The focus on the smart brand and the segment-specific orientation will be strengthened by assignment of the relevant functions from Development, Production and Sales to the new unit. At the same time close cooperation with the Mercedes-Benz Development, Production and Sales Divisions will ensure that relevant synergies continue to be consistently utilised,” stated the press release.
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