Smart Could Consider Alternate Engines
July 10, 2007

Smart USA President Dave Schembri told the Automotive Press Association in Detroit today that before the microcar company considers selling new models beyond the already planned Fortwo, it would consider selling alternate powertrains in the Fortwo.

No models beyond the 1.0-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine-powered Fortwo are planned. The Fortwo is expected to achieve at least 40 miles per gallon when the federal government certifies it, Schembri said. However, Schembri added, Smart would consider electric, micro hybrid and diesel versions in the future before it added more models.

Smart, a division of Mercedes-Benz, already sells a diesel model. The company recently announced it was testing a fleet of electric-powered Smart cars in England. Smart offers no micro hybrid, a system that augments a combustion engine with hybrid technologies such as a stop-start function, an efficient generator and/or regenerative braking, not electric power for propulsion.

Smart USA, a division of the Penske Automotive Group and the U.S. distributor for the Mercedes-built vehicle, will begin selling the Smart Fortwo -- two-seater available as a coupe and convertible and in three trim levels (Pure, Passion Coupe and Passion Cabrio) -- in January.

Smart is in the midst of a nationwide road show to introduce consumers to the tiny car that is a scant 8.8 feet long. That “Street Smart” road show, which will include 7-day stops in 50-plus cities, started in May and already has introduced the car to 18,000 consumers. Of those, 10,000 have taken test-drives, Schembri said. Even before the road show, Smart had more than 20,000 reservations and $99 deposits in hand through a reservation order made online in the spring.

Smart also is in the process of establishing dealers, of which about 40 to 70 will be operational by January. Among those will be a dealership in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, which will also serve as Smart USA’s corporate headquarters, just up the street from Penske offices.

Schembri also said the road show and reservations have shown there’s a market for the Smart microcar beyond the expected urban centers. He said the company recently decided, based on consumer and dealer interest, to open dealerships in Jackson, Mississippi, and Omaha, Nebraska.

Posted by Michelle Krebs at 10:36 AM under Companies , News , Technology | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine