WASHINGTON, D.C. — Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche confirmed on Tuesday that the Smart Fortwo will go on sale in the U.S. starting in January.

He also said he could "well imagine a large-scale project in cooperation with a partner city in the U.S. to test the electrically powered Smart Fortwo, similar to the project that is currently running in London," according to a statement by Daimler.

Previously, Smart had only said that the Fortwo would arrive in U.S. showrooms in the first quarter of 2008.

Zetsche formally introduced the Fortwo to the U.S. market at a press briefing here on Tuesday. The minicar makes its debut with a three-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine. "Other engine types and sizes, including Brabus modifications, may become available in the next few years, though no specific timeline has been outlined," according to the Smart USA Web site.

What this means to you: Now you know exactly when you can get your hands on the Smart car. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent

Smart Set for January Launch in U.S.

Seems like I've already seen a few around. The local Subway has one as a promo car.

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