Published 24 August 2026
Monarch Mobility, the UK manufacturer behind the Smarti range of folding mobility scooters, has taken its North American expansion to one of the most visible advertising sites in the world. The company’s Smarti Plus auto folding scooter is currently appearing on the digital billboards of New York’s Times Square, alongside global consumer brands, as part of a campaign supporting its growing US operation.
Martin Sampson, Managing Director of Monarch Mobility, described the campaign as a significant milestone for the business that reflects the growing strength and visibility of the brand. The firm has 25 years of experience manufacturing scooters, wheelchairs and lifts in the UK, and is now taking that portfolio to American customers.
How the US operation is structured
Monarch USA is led by chief executive Kane Fullalove and runs from a base in Austin, Texas, with nationwide distribution handled through a logistics partner in Dallas. The company made its American debut in March 2026 at Medtrade, the annual trade event for the home medical equipment industry, where it showed a streamlined portfolio built around lightweight products. Monarch says more than 80 trade partners across the United States are now actively selling its products, and that the business is on track to hit its targets for its first full year of operation.
Why the Smarti Plus is fronting the campaign
The Smarti Plus is the product Monarch has chosen to lead with, and the reasoning is easy to follow. The scooter weighs 16kg without its battery and folds and unfolds automatically at the touch of a button, which removes the bending and lifting that puts many people off a manual folding model. It has a 4mph top speed, a class 2 pavement rating, rear suspension, NFC keyless start, USB-A and USB-C charging, and a quoted battery range of 9 miles. Monarch lists a recommended retail price of £2,895, with a VAT relief price of £1,345 for eligible buyers, and the model is approved for the Motability Scheme.
Auto folding scooters have become one of the fastest moving parts of the UK market, largely because they solve the boot loading problem that limits how often people actually use a portable machine. If you are weighing up a folding model, our guide to mobility scooters explains the class 2 and class 3 distinction and what the headline weight figures really mean once the battery goes back in.
What it means for UK buyers
A British manufacturer expanding overseas does not change UK prices overnight, but it matters for buyers in two practical ways. Greater scale tends to support a longer product life, which affects spare parts and replacement battery availability years after purchase. It also tends to strengthen the dealer network, because manufacturers with growing volumes have more reason to invest in trained engineers and service cover. Both are worth asking about before you buy, alongside the usual questions on warranty length and servicing intervals. The same logic applies across the market, from powerchairs through to stairlifts, where long term parts support is often the difference between a repair and a replacement.
Monarch has also rebuilt its UK website as part of a wider push to support its authorised retail partners and improve the customer buying journey. Its products are sold through independent dealers rather than direct, so the quality of the retailer you deal with still shapes most of the experience. Our directory of UK mobility companies carries reviews of hundreds of suppliers, and it is worth checking a dealer’s record before booking a home demonstration.
Sources: THIIS Magazine and Monarch Mobility.
Related guides on Review Mobility
- Mobility scooters: the UK buyer’s guide
- Wheelchairs explained
- Mobility aids and equipment
- Find a mobility company near you
Published 24 August 2026