Long known for its unabashed individuality and innovative design, smart provides fans with a driving experience found nowhere else.

The brand has been particularly successful in China, and is celebrating its 5th anniversary in the country this year.

With small, agile vehicles perfectly suited to China's urban centers, smart continues to strike a chord with forward-thinking, trendy Chinese consumers.

Since entering the market in 2009, smart has sold an impressive total of 55,000 units. This translates into an average annual growth rate of 89 percent, putting the iconic brand in solid position in the world's biggest auto market.

According to figures released by the company, smart now boasts 138 outlets in 72 Chinese cities. Together, these have brought the smart experience to a growing number of customers nationwide, and the brand will continue to forge ahead steadily in the coming months.

Much of smart's rapid growth can be traced to its expanding array of vehicles, and the brand constantly finds ways to showcase its distinctive character.

This is especially the case with its many special edition vehicles, which remain extremely popular with fans.

The company has already unveiled its 2014 new year edition and will launch the smart BoConcept edition at Auto China 2014.

Featuring a fresh exterior and home-like interior, the smart BoConcept is sure to continue the success of its predecessors.

The smart electric drive has also developed a dedicated following. It remains the first and only imported full electric vehicle launched by a European automaker in the Chinese market, and charms admirers thanks to its zero-emission, eco-friendly approach to urban mobility.

But an exciting lineup hasn't been the only factor in smart's success. The company has also taken advantage of social media and e-commerce platforms to pioneer new marketing strategies.

Last year, smart became the first automaker to sell cars through a micro-blog platform.

Now, the company will become the first automaker to conduct sales via WeChat, where it will sell the smart BoConcept, and will continue the company's innovative use of China's largest social media platform.

The company's official WeChat account went online on April 14, 2014 to further enrich its customers' brand experience.

Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the platform provides information on the entire smart model range, vehicle appointments, and the company's extended financing programs. It also helps customers conveniently locate dealers, book test drives, and access the latest smart news and updates.

A pioneer through and through, smart continues to show what happens when you truly "open your mind".

lifangfang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/20/2014 page17)