Though the Smart Car is sold in many countries around the world, it had never been offered by the manufacturer – smart GmbH™ - in the United States.

Because of its popularity abroad, a movement began in 2003. Enthusiasts started talking about whether it would be possible to take a smart fortwo and “convert” it to meet U.S. Safety and Emission Standards.

If an auto manufacturer has not initially designed a vehicle to meet these standards, it is considered a gray-market vehicle and may only be imported through an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) or Registered Importer (RI). Further, only an RI can make alterations that meet federal standards for road safety, provided the RI has applied for and received federal approval. The application for approval must outline what is required to make the car compliant.

The application is examined and tested on vehicles for which approval is sought to ensure the design plan is valid. All federal safety branches involved in approving the application must agree that the RI’s modifications are sufficient. This process can take many months and, in the case of the smart fortwo, it took three years.

More than 20 specific modifications were made to the smart’s safety components and emissions system. In late 2005, the approval was finally granted. G&K Auto Conversion has unsurpassed industry credentials and has performed more than 8,000 automobile conversions since 1981.  The 2002-2007 model year smart fortwos have federal approval and have been available to the U.S. consumer since April 14, 2006.

It should be mentioned that six states have emission rules requiring a converter or manufacturer to pay large fees for "blanket exemptions." Due to the limited number of Smart Cars, that would have been too costly for the converter. So he chose not to do it. Therefore, this original Euro-design Mercedes engine Smart fortwo cannot be titled in the states of Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, New York,  Massachusetts, and California (special rules apply in California. Contact us for more information if applicable).