Five years of living smart in the city

Mercedes-Benz held the LIVE smart China 5-Year Anniversary Concert at Shanghai Stadium. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Mercedes-Benz's iconic lifestyle brand smart car has established itself in China over the past five years as the trendsetter in urban mobility.

The innovative two-seater embodies carefree enjoyment of city life with its original design and compact dimensions.

"Smart loves China and China loves smart. It has inspired our team during the past five years," said Annette Winkler, global head of smart at Daimler AG.

"We entered China in 2009, now our beloved country has become smart's second largest market in the world. The high brand value recognized by Chinese consumers and our 60,000 smart owners makes us confident to try everything to develop the brand for further success."

True to the smart spirit, the company held the LIVE smart China 5-Year Anniversary Concert at Shanghai Stadium, with the largest gathering of smart owners and fans in history throughout the world. The concert featured famous pop stars Li Yuchun and Hua Chenyu.

A total of 50,000 attendants, of which more than 10,000 are owners invited by smart, took part in the event. The passion and energy of smart fans were further unleashed when two new special edition models took the spotlight for their market launch.

Featuring a unique China red design and limited to five units, the smart 5th Anniversary edition pays a resounding tribute to the five-year success of smart in China.

The smart 2015 New Year edition, on the other hand, is limited to 666 units - a truly auspicious number for the Chinese. It is available at the attractive price tag of just 128,888 yuan ($20,844), continuing smart's tradition of launching tailor-made editions in the spirit of the Chinese New Year.

Enjoying the night's festivities, Winkler said: "Since its establishment more than a decade ago, the pioneering smart brand has not only created unprecedented urban mobility solutions, but also set a global trend of individualization that emphasizes urban styles and lets owners and fans alike become 'lifestyle artists'.

"This creative DNA is the reason smart has been so popular since first entering China five years ago. Customers' love for smart and the fact that China and smart represent a perfect match have yielded scores of ideas and innovations, and together they have created a unique and modern urban lifestyle."

"A pioneering brand born for the city, smart comes with big ideas and infinite imagination," added Daniel Lescow, Director of smart Operations at Beijing Mercedes-Benz Sales Service Co Ltd.

"As the final stop of our smart times 2014 party, the LIVE smart five year anniversary concert showcases our brand's creative spirit and unabashed passion for city life that we share with smart owners and fans. This evening marks a most exciting encounter for the smart brand, and will be remembered dearly as we continue to grow together!"