Geely‘s Smart, a brand known for its compact city cars, is facing challenges with its strategy to “grow bigger.” Despite confidently dismissing criticisms about increasing vehicle sizes in February, market data suggest consumers aren’t embracing this direction, with unsold inventory now being liquidated through used car channels at steep discounts, as reported by Yuan Auto.
According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and the Passenger Car Association, Smart sold 29,986 new vehicles in the past year (March 2025 to February 2026). The smallest and longest-available model, the #1, accounted for approximately 64% of sales, while the progressively larger #3 and #5 models represented just 14% and 22% respectively.
The #5, Smart’s largest and flagship model, heavily promoted in 2025 (particularly the plug-in hybrid version launched in October 2025), has notably underperformed. Yuan Auto reported that brand-new, unregistered Smart #5 vehicles are being sold through a used car platform in Chongqing at prices 100,000 yuan (14,500 USD) below the official recommended price.
“These are all Smart #5 long-range luxury versions with an official price of 269,900 yuan (39,100 USD), now available for just 169,800 yuan (24,600 USD). They’re from late 2024,” a platform employee told Yuan Auto, adding that prices could be negotiated even lower for trade-ins or financing customers.
This liquidation isn’t surprising for a model whose monthly sales have consistently remained in the three-digit range. What’s concerning is Smart’s persistence with increasingly larger vehicles despite the #1 consistently outperforming its larger siblings.
Even more worrying, Smart’s next major release is the #6 – an even larger vehicle than the #5. According to regulatory filings, this plug-in hybrid sedan approaches 5 meters in length with a wheelbase of 2,926mm, the longest in Smart’s lineup. The #6 will compete directly with the Xiaomi SU7 and Tesla Model 3 in the 200,000-300,000 yuan (29,000-43,500 USD) segment, where no manufacturer has yet successfully challenged these two dominant models.
Meanwhile, the #1, Smart’s bestseller, has seen four iterative updates since its June 2022 launch, but these have primarily involved price reductions and minor configuration adjustments rather than significant improvements to design, battery technology, or driving assistance features. The 2026 #1 model still offers the same 150kW maximum fast-charging capability as the 2022 version, while comparable competitors like the Lynk & Co Z20 (also built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture) now support up to 300kW fast charging.
After the #6, Smart appears to be returning to its roots. According to Smart Global CEO Tong Xiangbei, the upcoming Smart #2 will feature a two-seat design built on a new all-electric platform and is expected to debut at the Beijing Auto Show in April, with both hardtop and convertible versions to be released starting in late 2026.
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