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Production of the smart fortwo electric drive Begins in Hambach
Daimler Press Release - 11/19/2009
*·Production of 1,000 units begins
*·First European electric vehicle fully operational
in everyday use
*·Available to the general public as of 2012
Hambach, France / Stuttgart, Germany --- This week, Daimler AG started production of the smart fortwo electric drive at the smart plant in Hambach, France. In a first step, 1,000 vehicles will be provided to customers participating in various mobility projects in major cities in Europe and the U.S., in order to generate broad feedback on electric driving under everyday conditions.
Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director of the smart brand: “With the start of the series production of the smart fortwo electric drive, the Hambach plant enters a new era – at the same time, the smart fortwo emphazises its pioneering role on the way to individual mobility with local zero-emissions in cities and urban areas. Its innovative battery-electric drive makes the smart fortwo electric drive the ideal vehicle for the city: it combines responsibility to the environment with driving fun and joie de vivre in a virtually perfect manner.”
The second-generation smart fortwo electric drive started now is equipped with the most modern lithium-ion-battery. As of 2012, the smart fortwo electric drive will be produced as a regular part of the smart product portfolio and will regularly be sold through the smart sales network. First Milestones in 2007 and 2008
The smart brand has taken a pioneering role in electric mobility since 2007. Back then, 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation went into practical customer operation under everyday conditions of city traffic in London. Feedback from this project has been very positive right from the start and confirmed the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.
Just one year later, the company introduced the second generation - which is now being produced - with an even more advanced electric drive and an innovative, highly efficient lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including higher performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. In addition, a smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at a regular household power outlet. A story of success: The smart Plant in Hambach
The smart plant in Hambach was inaugurated in 1997. Since 1998, it has produced the smart fortwo, since 2007 in its current generation. In 2008, more than 800 employees of the plant and some further 800 people employed by seven system partners produced about 140,000 units of the smart fortwo. In September 2008, the brand celebrated its tenth anniversary along with the 1-millionth smart fortwo produced at the Hambach plant.
The Hambach plant has represented an innovative production concept since its beginning: The assembly line in the shape of a plus sign has been designed to optimally meet the demands of assembly and logistics and ensures highly efficient production processes. This principle enables the system partners to supply modules directly to the assembly line, which reduces transport and logistics efforts to a minimum and hereby also provides an advantage regarding ecological aspects. In addition, the environmentally friendly and cost effective paint shop, an energy concept with numerous savings opportunities and the construction principle of the vehicles ensure that the ecological product responsibility of the smart brand is translated into the production. About smart
Environmental friendliness and contemporary functionality have been defining features of the smart fortwo ever since it was launched more than ten years ago. Since then its innovative concept has combined sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half meters, the extremely compact and fuel-efficient vehicle brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its distintive design made smart an automotive lifestyle icon which shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.
Today, smart is present in 41 markets around the globe, with most recent market launches in China and Brazil. Germany, Italy, and the U.S. are key markets.
smart is the producer of one of the most economical and environmentally-friendly vehicles sold anywhere in the world - the smart fortwo. smart continues its commitment to the environment with the introduction of the smart fortwo electric drive. This vehicle further demonstrates the pioneering role of the smart brand. As an electric vehicle, it is virtually emission-free, highly efficient and quiet. It represents sustainability at its highest level.
In 2007, smart initiated a pilot project in London, England, to test the smart fortwo electric drive. smart leased 100 electric smart fortwo vehicles to everyday commuters to gain real-world experience and determine the technology’s long-term sustainability. The project has proven to be very successful with customers giving very encouraging feedback.
The smart fortwo electric drive is expected in the United States in late 2010. The 2010 launch will be a pilot program in select cities and vehicle production will be limited. Series production is expected in calendar year 2012.
The smart fortwo electric drive series will be equipped with a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries, including its compact dimensions, high performance, shorter charging times and higher reliability.
The smart fortwo electric drive can be produced without the loss of passenger or cargo space. The drive motor replaces the engine and the battery fits in the space currently occupied by the fuel tank.
smart USA does not have information regarding battery range or vehicle price at this time.
smart USA is not taking reservations for the smart fortwo electric drive at this time nor do we have a waiting list. Please visit smartUSA.com often for updates regarding the smart fortwo electric drive.
people are not buying smarts (nor much of anything else) because there is a lack of financing, dollars and wages are falling...overall deflation of the American economy...not quite a depression...not yet...
I was about to forward this thread to you Wallace. I do await to see what the Electric Smart is all about and more importantly, how well it will do in the US. I don't think id get one myself, well not now anyway. I am still paying off Mr Blue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrumbarger
I am willing to buy several (at least 3) RIGHT NOW.
people are not buying smarts (nor much of anything else) because there is a lack of financing, dollars and wages are falling...overall deflation of the American economy...not quite a depression...not yet...
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