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They're Coming To America: Smart And UnitedAuto Group Agree To General Distributor Agreement... Today!


In U.S. smart-related news, Ulrich Walker, president of smart, and Roger Penske, chairman of UnitedAuto Group (UAG), agreed on terms and conditions for bringing the smart fortwo to the United States, both signing a General Distributor Agreement (GDA) yesterday. The GDA, which outlines the allocation of functions, market launch, sales activities, after sales, service and communications of the mini-car comes just four months after it was announced the smart would be coming to the states.

"This is absolutely the right car in the right place at the right time. It embodies the unique combination of a lifestyle and design oriented vehicle that is ecologically appealing,” says Ulrich Walker, president of smart. “smart is uniquely designed, offers the lowest cost of ownership and is very fun to drive.”

Although there's still no word what dealerships will be carrying the smart brand, official confirmation is expected to be given in the second half of 2007. Actual smart vehicles are expected to be available starting in the first quarter of 2008.

To learn more about the smart and its impending U.S. launch, keep reading for the full press release.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


smart and UnitedAuto Group agree to General Distributor Agreement

Böblingen, Nov 02, 2006
Ulrich Walker, president of smart, and Roger Penske, chairman of UnitedAuto Group (UAG), agreed on terms and conditions for bringing the smart fortwo to the United States. Yesterday both parties signed a General Distributor Agreement (GDA) just four months after it was announced smart would be coming to the USA. The GDA will regulate all future USA-based smart activities.

After evaluating and defining all stages for distributing smart in the USA, the GDA was established to determine the detailed market introduction strategy. The GDA outlines the allocation of functions, market launch, sales activities, after sales, service and communications.
The launch of the successor to the current smart fortwo in the USA, follows the success of the smart fortwo in Europe where more than 750,000 vehicles have been sold. The increasing demand for affordable and fuel efficient small cars in the USA make it the right time for the launch of smart in the USA.
“This is absolutely the right car in the right place at the right time. It embodies the unique combination of a lifestyle and design oriented vehicle that is ecologically appealing,” said Ulrich Walker, President of smart. “smart is uniquely designed, offers the lowest cost of ownership and is very fun to drive.”
Additional attributes of the vehicle include an ingenious safety management system including the Tridion safety cell, (which forms the unique design of the car), Electronic Stability Program, ABS brakes and four airbags. “We are very excited to represent smart in the United States. The reaction to the announcement, made earlier this year, has been fantastic,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of UnitedAuto Group. “This is a vehicle that people gravitate to and it provides solutions to a variety of transportation issues that we face every day in the United States.”
smart dealerships are expected to be announced in the second half of 2007. Dealers selected for smart stores must demonstrate a passion for the brand, commit to new and non-traditional dealership processes and have a proven record of outstanding customer satisfaction, as well as other criteria. Vehicles will be available in the USA in the first quarter of 2008

About UnitedAuto
United Auto Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 319 retail automotive franchises, representing 41 different brands, and 27 collision repair centers. UnitedAuto, which sells new and previously owned vehicles, finance and insurance products and replacement parts, and offers maintenance and repair services on all brands it represents, has 170 franchises in 20 states and Puerto Rico and 149 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom and Germany. UnitedAuto is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has over 15,000 employees.
About smart
Since October 1998 the smart fortwo has attracted more than 750,000 customers in 36 countries. As a brand of DaimlerChrysler, smart benefits from the parent corporation's technical expertise and extensive experience in the automotive business. The successor to the smart fortwo will be launched in Europe next year and will be available in the USA for the first time the following year.
smart, as one of the youngest car makes on the market, stands for innovation, functionality and joie de vivre and especially appeals to customers who are interested in new, clever and trend-setting solutions in the automotive sector. smart drivers are characterized by attitude, not by age, profession, gender or any other 'traditional' criteria clustering groups of people. smart people are open minded, question the existing and live consciously.

Cautionary Statement UAG
Statements in this press release involve forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements pertaining to successful completion of the proposed distributorship and dealership network on the terms described above. The actual results may vary materially from those planned because of risks and uncertainties, including external factors such as interest rate fluctuations, changes in consumer spending, economic conditions and other factors over which management has no control. These forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with additional information about UnitedAuto’s business, markets, conditions and other uncertainties which could affect UnitedAuto’s future performance, which is contained in UnitedAuto’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is incorporated into this press release by reference. This press release speaks only as of its date and UnitedAuto disclaims any duty to update the information herein.
Cautionary Statement DaimlerChrysler
This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views with respect to future events. The words “anticipate,“ “assume,“ “believe,“ “estimate,“ “expect,“ “intend,“ “may,“ “plan,“ “project“ and “should“ and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: an economic downturn in Europe or North America; changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and in raw material prices; introduction of competing products; increased sales incentives; the effective implementation of the New Management Model for DaimlerChrysler and the CORE program; including the new business model for smart at the Mercedes Car Group; renewed pressure to continue cost reduction efforts in light of restructuring plans announced by General Motors Corporation and Ford Motor Company; supply interruptions of production materials resulting from shortages, labor strikes or supplier insolvencies; the resolution of pending governmental investigations; and decline in resale prices of used vehicles. If any of these or other risks and uncertainties occur (some of which are described under the heading "Risk Report" in DaimlerChrysler's most recent Annual Report and under the heading "Risk Factors" in DaimlerChrysler's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission), or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, then actual results may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date on which it is made.

Copyright © 2006, DaimlerChrysler AG

DaimlerChrysler's Smart USA has begun taking reservations for its Smart ForTwo compact car, which will be available for the first time ever in America in 2008. Reserving the right to buy a Smart hardtop or convertible will costs $99.
The "Pure" entry-level model will start at $12,000. A better-equipped "Passion" model at $14,000 will add a stereo system and other convenience features. The convertible is only available in "Passion" guise, for $17,000.
The "Pure" comes standard with a 5-speed automated manual transmission with manual or automatic mode, central remote locking system, 2-spoke leather steering wheel, radio-ready console, and more. Air conditioning, power windows and alloy wheels are optional.
The "Passion" model includes a panorama roof, alloy wheels, air conditioning with climate control, 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with shift paddles, power windows, electric and heated side mirrors, and AM/FM radio with CD player.
Exterior color choices will include Metallic Blue, Metallic Silver, Deep Black, Crystal White, Light Yellow, or Metallic Red for the main body panels, and black or silver for the "safety cell." The interior will only be available in grey.



Source: LeftLaneNews

Now all they need to do is get some environmentally-concious Hollywood celebs in them and they'll sell like hot cakes.

I will be intrigued to see how well these sell in the US ...I have my reservations about their potential for success ...but we'll see.

While I'll be the first to point out that Canada & the U.S. have different vehicle tastes, the ForTwo sells fairly well, here.

I wonder if it'll be powered by the diesel motor we get, here in Canada...

I don't see this being a big hit here like the Mini is, but I think it will find a fair number of buyers especially in major cities. I think they're making a mistake though by giving us one of the weaker engines, it should have been the opposite. The turbo version should at least be an option.

M

There are a lot people that are saying that Smart is going to fall right on its cute little face in the U.S. They insist that even all together, the combination of urban hipsters, Europhiles, and tree-huggers will not be enough to get Smart the sales it needs in the States.

I happen to think they'll do OK, at least for the first few years, and then it depends on what new product they have subsequent. I am not unique in this perspective as new-car dealers (not exactly a bohemian bunch) have lined up in record numbers to get a Smart franchise.

Just what are those numbers, the skeptical might ask?

Automotive News says that over 1400 new-car dealers have applied for the 30-50 slots Smart has available. Whatever you think of dealers as human beings, they are good business people, and they obviously think Smart has a pretty good future in the United States.

Wow, that is a lot of dealers. Maybe they know something we don't. I think they'll do ok, if not a runaway success like Mini was. The thing is though, unless the sales are off the charts it will be labeled a failure by the press and you know what happens from there. Who knows they might be all over the place in matter of months. I know I couldn't be in charge of this, my nerves would be shot waiting to see what happens the first day they go on sale.

M

I'm sure the smaller dealers that got a Smart franchise are on pins and needles. If you're already a DaimlerChrysler dealer, then it costs $300,000 USD franchise fee and a dedicated amount of square feet in your showroom with a separate entrance and separate sign. Then there are whatever expenses you incur in parts and service to meet Smart requirements, and of course, the capital financing for the cars themselves.

If you're not a DaimlerChrysler dealer (say, BMW-Mini dealer or a Honda dealer), the franchise fee is higher, and you are required to house the Smart franchise in a stand-alone building.

So, yeah, for a low-volume dealer, that's a pretty big investment. For a mega-dealer or a high-volume single-point dealer, it's not so anxiety-inducing, but for a small dealer, it could make or break his 2008 calendar year in terms of net profit.

Yep all true. I'd love to see the little, itty-bitty alignment rack for this car.

M