DaimlerChrysler has pushed back into 2006 any decision on whether to launch its Smart minicar brand in the United States, according to AIADA. “The decision will be made only next year,” Smart spokesman Heinz Gottwick said late on Monday, Dec. 19, noting that a review of its sales and marketing network could last a few more weeks. A decision that was originally set to be made the end of 2005 may now emerge at the Geneva car show in late February. DaimlerChrysler has been considering for months whether to expand the loss-making Smart brand to the U.S. market. The automaker currently sells the cars in much of Europe and Canada. It has held out the prospect that the successor to the two-seat ForTwo model planned for the second half of 2007 may get a U.S. launch. In November, we reported that Chrysler was considering selling-off at least part of the Smart company or perhaps the entire company. The Leftlane Perspective: Bring something along the lines of the Brabus Smart car to the U.S., and the brand will get respect from enthusiasts. Smart should also consider a slightly larger car along the line of BMW’s Mini. Should Smart come to the U.S.A? Post your opinion in our comments section.
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12/21, 9:56 PM
posted by:
Horatio
Smart should come to the USA. Just look at the sucess of the Scion and Mini brands, Smart would be DaimlerChrysler’s answer to the “funky” small car brands, which sell strongly in the U.S. As for a bigger model, consider a new Smart Forfour.
12/21, 11:29 PM
posted by:
Tom
I really think that there is a place in the product lineup for Smart here in the US. It would not compete against anything in the lineup and is different enough to sell a bunch of. We have 4 vehicles at home and my wife has put over 30,000 miles on her ‘05 Town & Country minivan… a lot of them just hauling herself to work or transporting one of our kids to soccer/whatever. I’d buy one just to save putting the miles on the more expensive car.
12/22, 11:15 AM
posted by:
mynewsonline
I have it from a good source, smart will come to the USA. They will build versions with knee protection. A feature only needed on the american continent.