A behind-the-scenes YouTube clip shows a forklift hoisting the Ford Expedition, which weighs 7,000 pounds, on top of the Smart car's frame. In the ad, the Smart car is unbowed by the weight.

Now, at Verra Mobility, I'm observing a similar revolution in the automotive industry. Cars are evolving from mere modes of transportation to sophisticated, connected computers on wheels.

When most Americans think "Smart Car," they picture a Smart ForTwo – the tiny, upright city car that was first offered in the US for the 2008 model year and lasted up until 2019 when the Smart ...