smart Enters Latin America in New Chilean Partnership with Kaufmann Group

• smart has announced its entry into Latin America and the start of a new general distributor partnership with Kaufmann Group in Chile.
• The partnership leverages Kaufmann Group's extensive experience in the automotive sector and strong presence in the EV market.
• The smart #1, a premium compact urban SUV, together with the smart #3, an SUV coupe, are expected to launch in Chile later this year, with deliveries to customers beginning in December 2024.

(September 30, 2024, Hangzhou/Santiago) smart, the premium intelligent all-electric auto brand, today announced a significant expansion into Chile through a new partnership with Kaufmann Group, a renowned family-owned independent distributor with over 70 years of experience in the Latin American automotive industry. The collaboration represents the renewed smart brand's first entry into Latin America and the introduction of smart's premium, new-generation all-electric portfolio of product offerings to the region, a significant milestone in the brand's history.

As an established automotive market leader in Chile, Kaufmann Group operates 31 branches and manages the nation’s largest Mercedes-Benz dealership network. The first two vehicles released by the renewed brand, the smart #1, a premium compact urban SUV, together with the smart #3, an SUV coupé, are expected to launch in Chile later this year, with deliveries to customers beginning in December 2024.

Mandy Zhang, Global CMO of smart Automobile said, " We have witnessed the rapidly growing trend of the Chilean new energy vehicle market and are excited to bring our intelligent and all-electric vehicle portfolio to the customers here. The partnership with the Kaufmann Group enables smart to enter Chile, the brand's first Latin American market. Leveraging the remarkable track record and local knowledge of the Kaufmann Group, smart will keep on opening your mind and captivating Chilean customers with the unique charm of its premium brand and product experiences."

Cristian Contreras, Chief Strategy Officer of Kaufmann Group said, “Partnering with smart is precisely in line with our strategic goals and strengths within the electric vehicle domain in Chile. We are excited to introduce smart's premium, intelligent all-electric vehicles to our customers. We are certain that these models will receive a hearty welcome from customers who are in pursuit of more environmentally friendly propulsion, greater efficiency, as well as outstanding technology and safety features in the premium segment. With the support of Kaufmann, which boasts the largest network of its own branches in the country, it is the perfect addition to provide the best sales and after-sales experiences and guarantee the success of the brand's product offerings.”

With the recent world premiere of the bold and boxy smart #5 in Byron Bay, Australia, smart continues to push the boundaries of premium electric mobility. The partnership between smart and Kaufmann Group marks the latest chapter in smart’s continuing "China-Europe, dual home" global development strategy. Stay tuned for more details on the rollout of smart vehicles across Latin America.