The MSX 2 introduced hardware vertical scrolling but it wasn't until the MSX2+ that the MSX could do proper hardware horizontal scrolling; the video card makes software scrolling very difficult, so only as of the MSX2+ and later is smooth scrolling available.
According to Kazuhiko Nishi, the creator of the MSX standard, the MSX sold about 3 million units in Japan and 1 million units overseas. [https://diamond.jp/articles/-/253320 Source (JP)]
The MSX was perhaps to Japan what the CPC was to France (keeping to the proportions of course).