The Smart #1 will also be available in Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal, and the Smart #3 will be officially launched and deliveries will begin in Europe early next year.

(Image credit: Smart)

Mercedes-Geely joint venture Smart has launched the Smart #1 in Switzerland and Spain and started deliveries of the electric SUV there, after the model opened volume deliveries in Germany and France.

The Smart #1 will also be available in European markets including Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal, and the Smart #3 will be officially launched and deliveries will open in Europe early next year, the company said in a press release today.

The Smart brand was born in 1998 and was aiming the micro-premium car market for mega-city travel.

Smart now has nearly 300 sales and service outlets in 13 European countries, it said.

On July 13, Chinese lithium giant Tianqi Lithium announced it had led a Series A round of financing in Smart for $150 million, giving the company a valuation of $5.3 billion.

Chinese lithium giant Tianqi leads Series A funding in Mercedes-Geely JV Smart with $150 million