smart USA's latest Press Release

[SMART]

smart USA Delivers 10,000th smart fortwo in the United States

Innovative Vehicle Reaches Significant Sales Milestone in Less Than Six Months

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG), delivered the 10,000th smart fortwo at smart center Bloomington, in Bloomington, Minnesota. This sales milestone was accomplished in less than six months from the initial sales launch of the vehicle in the United States.
The vehicle is attracting an overwhelming number of buyers who want a solution to high gas prices, a way to reduce their environmental footprint, plus a vehicle that offers urban mobility on congested city streets in a package that is fun to drive.
“This is a landmark sales figure in a very short timeframe, demonstrating that increasing numbers of U.S. drivers are discovering all that the smart fortwo has to offer,” said Dave Schembri, president of smart USA. “The smart fortwo has the opportunity to change the landscape of our highways by offering a powerful combination of fun-to-drive aspects, safety innovations and functionality – all with great fuel economy.”
The smart fortwo went on sale in the United States in January 2008, and is available at 69 smart centers in 31 states.
Further information about smart USA can be found at www.smartusa.com.
ABOUT the smart fortwo and smart USA
smart USA Distributor LLC, headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto Rico and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. The smart fortwo is a brand of and is manufactured by Daimler AG. This technologically advanced vehicle achieves 41 mpg on the highway and is an ultra-low emissions vehicle, as certified by the State of California Air Resources Board. The vehicle is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide and comes equipped with many functional and safety features found in most luxury models. smart is currently sold in 36 other countries, and more than 900,000 smart fortwos have been sold since 1998. The 2008 smart fortwo is available in three trim levels ranging in price from $11,590 to $16,5901. For more information visit the smart USA website – www.smartusa.com.
1 For 2008 models. Excludes tax, title, registration, destination charge, options and other dealer fees.
smart is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.
ABOUT PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
Penske Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., operates 307 retail automotive franchises, representing more than 40 different brands, and 27 collision repair centers. Penske Automotive Group, 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 159 franchises in 19 states and Puerto Rico and 148 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom. Penske Automotive Group is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has approximately 16,000 employees.



smart USA
Ken Kettenbeil, Director, Communications, 248-648-2582
kkettenbeil@smartusa.com
or
Penske Automotive Group
Tony Pordon, Senior Vice President, 248-648-2540
tpordon@penskeautomotive.com

[jwight]

So, they'll do at least 20K for the first 12 months, as estimated. Any info on increasing monthly deliveries to the dealers? The number of cars will have to continue to rise if the target is 25K as originally reported.

[JPaul]

Remember that, at the onset of import, most cars went to demos and floor samples.
3.476 cars through March
2.683 cars in April
2,695 cars in May
So, I support the 24,000 projection.

[jwight]

Did you notice this:

1 For 2008 models. Excludes tax, title, registration, destination charge, options and other dealer fees.

I think that's a change from their original wording and now takes into account the dealer "doc" fees.

[ChiSmart]

That is just great.... So where is mine that I reserved over 12 months ago. Surely, they should be able to cover those that reserved last year early on. It's sad that some consumers that did not put up the $99 are getting oraphans and those that followed the process are stuck waiting, and waiting and waiting. Smart should have anticapted the demand of this car. Very disappointed in the process of waiting. DDE indicates Oct. 08 - Dec. 08. Reserved in June 07. 1 1/2 year wait is ridiculous!!!!!!!

[Big Panda]

also, on a related note, i got this email today:


"Dear smart Enthusiast, smart USA is exploring the possibility of offering alternative engine options, such as an electric, diesel, or micro hybrid engine in the future. Unfortunately, the details have not yet been finalized. As this information becomes available, it will be posted on www.smartUSA.com. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us via email or by phone at 1.800.smartUSA. Thank you for your interest in smart USA. You will be hearing from us soon! Daniel Moore Customer Service 1.800.smartUSA smart USA - open your mind to the car that challenges the status quo "

i'm curious as to 'what' they decide and 'when' their decision will be put into production. probably too late for the one i currently have 'reserved'.

in any event, it's a ANOTHER step in the right direction.......

[sheila121]

Why the wait? I just went to my dealer and he had 6 on his show room and 2 for test driving. Why not sell what he had sitting around like most car dealers. I mean if someone wanted it. I tried but could not.

[smartiePrincess]

Originally Posted by ChiSmart

That is just great.... So where is mine that I reserved over 12 months ago. Surely, they should be able to cover those that reserved last year early on. It's sad that some consumers that did not put up the $99 are getting oraphans and those that followed the process are stuck waiting, and waiting and waiting. Smart should have anticapted the demand of this car. Very disappointed in the process of waiting. DDE indicates Oct. 08 - Dec. 08. Reserved in June 07. 1 1/2 year wait is ridiculous!!!!!!!

If your tired of the wait. You can always adopt a poor orphan.

smartiePrincess

[curtis]

Jeepster, my dealer told me the Smart 451 was designed to possible be retrofitted with an electric or hybrid type motor, he had just return from some training seminars with Smart USA. Was anyone else told this or has anyone heard of this?

[rawlus®]

Originally Posted by sheila121

Why the wait? I just went to my dealer and he had 6 on his show room and 2 for test driving. Why not sell what he had sitting around like most car dealers. I mean if someone wanted it. I tried but could not.

the showroom models are either dealer showroom models (if they sell those, what are people going to look at in an empty showroom?) or orphans waiting for the buyer to come in or orphans for sale (assuming there's no list)

the smart model does not follow the traditional model of a lot full of cars waiting to be bought. i don't know if it will ever be like that model. right now, demand exceeds supply by a significant margin.