Biggest worldwide concentration of smart cars takes place in Cascais from the 17th to the 19th of July

After having beaten the applications from the United Kingdom and Austria, Cascais is the stage of the largest worldwide concentration of Smart cars and promises to drown the streets of the town in colour while it celebrates 650 years.

In a festive atmosphere at the Bay of Cascais, test-drives, tuning, concerts, several competitions, and a volleyball tournament will take place along with the presence of the brand's car stands.

The highlight of the event will be the Smart Parade between the Autódromo do Estoril (Estoril Racetrack) and Cascais, where the organisation hopes to enter into the Guinness Book Of World Records with the largest parade of Smart cars in the world, with 1,600 cars. At this time, all Smart car drivers will be invited to participate in the party!
During Smart Times, the centre of town will be reserved for Smart cars between the Jardim Visconde da Luz roundabout and Centro Cultural de Cascais (Cascais Cultural Centre) roundabout.

“It is definitely one of the events which fits into our territorial profile: a prestigious brand, an innovative concept, a demanding consumer ... all summed up with a destination of choice: Cascais”, states Carlos Carreiras.

For the Mayor of the municipality, “after having applied and won against large cities, and in the year in which it celebrates 650 years, Cascais welcomes the brand with a global presence and which promises to give a high return to the region. The Câmara Municipal de Cascais (Municipal Council of Cascais) has a strategy to capture international events which are able to promote our destination in tourist markets and which especially, act as a boost for prosperity and which provides more local jobs”.
“Our strategy has been successful and proof of this is the record number of tourists which Cascais has beaten in the last three years”, Carlos Carreias added, stating that, pertaining to Smart Times Cascais, an economic impact of 10 to 15 million Euros is expected”.

“There is no town like Cascais, as there is no car like this one in the world”. Words from Anette Winkler, head of Smart worldwide, who confirms the good choice of the “Smart community” who voted for the destination of Cascais. Another reason which led to the selection of Cascais was the fact that, in Portugal, there are approximately 50,000 Smarts, and in Lisbon, 1 in every 100 inhabitants has a Smart.

In an extremely important year for Smart with the arrival of new models to be announced soon, this event will accentuate the enthusiasm of fans and supporters of the brand which has more than 1.7 million cars, 50,000 of which circulate in Portugal, making Portugal no. 2 in the market share in this segment.

And if, given the size of the continent, China hosts four Smart Times events each year, Europe will only have one this year: in Cascais.

Facts
- 1 Smart per 100 inhabitants in Lisbon
- 1.7 million Smarts sold throughout the world
- 50,000 Smarts circulating in Portugal
- An economic impact of 10 to 15 million Euros expected

Planned Activities
 - “Smart Parade” – A monumental parade of Smarts starting at the Estoril Racetrack driving along the main roads of the municipality. The objective is to manage the largest parade of Smarts in the world and register the brand in the World Guinness of Records;
- Participate in the election of the next country to organise the event “Smart times 15”;
- Vote for the best cars in the various competing categories: best sound system, best transformation, coolest, etc..;
- Barbeques on the beach, parties, concerts, experiences and much entertainment will be included in the programme set up by Smart and Camara Municipal de Cascais (Municipal Council of Cascais).