Smart Thinking

The story of smart is an epic tale of genius, inspiration, hope, disappointment, disaster and ultimate triumph. Funky, stylish and fun, smart is the youngest and most exciting brand of car on the market - and it has revolutionised the way we think about cars and the way we use them. It has put much-needed fun back into driving, and even city motorists smile when they're at the wheel of a smart. But it nearly didn't happen at all. The revolutionary design was the product of the genius who invented the Swatch watch, saving the near-bankrupt Swiss watch industry in the process. But these visionary ideas proved too radical and the tiny two-seater almost died at birth when a succession of backers lost their nerve. The sensational story of smart traces the decade-long history of this ambitious project, talking to key figures from every stage of the programme and building a vivid picture of an idea ahead of its time.- Inside information from within VW, never before published- The real reasons VW Group dropped the program and DaimlerChrysler picked it up- Secret approaches to other carmakers- What happened? The guiding light of the project speaks out for the first time- Full and frank interviews with today's leading authorities- Smart design - today, tomorrow and in 2010- Not so much a car, more a way of thinking: what the brand experts thinkAbout the AuthorTony Lewin has spent most of his working life driving cars, analyzing them and reporting on the ups and downs of the global enterprises that build them. As a business writer and editor of Financial Times Automotive World he has kept a constant watch on the world's top carmakers for many years. Today, Lewin divides his time between business journalism and books. In 2003 he published the widely-acclaimed How to Design Cars Like a Pro.