* Swatch, a Swiss watchmaker known for its colorful and innovative designs.
* Mercedes-Benz, a German luxury car manufacturer.
The idea for Smart originated with Swatch founder Nicolas Hayek in the early 1990s. He envisioned a small, affordable, and environmentally friendly car designed for urban environments. He partnered with Mercedes-Benz to develop and manufacture the car, which debuted as the "Swatchmobile" in 1994.
The company was officially named "Smart" in 1998 and has since become a popular brand for city dwellers around the world.