Love it or hate it, the Smart Car is about to take the United States by storm. Expected to enjoy significant buzz ramping up to its 2008 U.S. release by Daimler Chrysler, the Smart Car is a very unusual, if not ingenious, use of a very small amount of space.

The original project to build this car was supported by Swiss watch maker, Swatch, and was then nicknamed the 'Swatchmobile.' The name, 'SMART' was derived from the combination of Swatch-Mercedes, and ART.

Because Swatch had no experience making automobiles, they sought out Volkswagen to attempt an alliance. Plans with Volkswagen never fully developed, so Swatch approached then Daimler-Benz.

In 1994, a joint-venture was struck with Daimler-Benz and Swatch, and they developed a new factory complex in Hambach, Lorraine, France, which they dubbed, 'Smartville,' where it was entirely devoted to the design and production of the new SMART vehicles.

The final car design that they developed was far over budget and disappointed Swatch CEO, Nicolas Hayek. The joint venture experienced heavy losses and Swatch pulled out.

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In 2006, DaimlerChrysler announced that it would completely redesign the model called the 'ForTwo' to debut in Europe in 2007.

The 'ForTwo' continues to be the primary focus of the company, after abandoning plans to pursue the 'ForFour' (which would seat four and be slightly larger), the 'Roadster' (a convertible), and the 'ForMore' (a small off-road vehicle concept).

The SMART ForTwo is currently sold only in Europe and in Canada, where it was introduced in 2004, and sold through Mercedes-Benz dealerships. All SMART vehicles being sold in the U.S. today are considered grey market, because they are originally purchased in Europe, and then modified to meet pollution and safety requirements. As of June 2006, DaimlerChrysler is involved in a lawsuit against these entities. Because all Canada-sold SMART cars are diesel-powered, they do not meet U.S. regulations for emissions and, thus, cannot be purchased in Canada, and then re-registered in the U.S. for use here.

In June 2006, DaimlerChrysler announced that it plans to sell the new SMART ForTwo in 2008, through the United Auto Group, a dealership holding company.

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The popularity of SMART cars extends beyond the mainstream, and into movie and television production, where it has starred in Agent Cody Banks 2, The Pink Panther, The Da Vinci Code, Scary Movie 4, as well as in a commercial launching the Nintendo Wii.