An unpredictable optimist is a person who gets chased up a tree by a big, bad, hungry bear and enjoys the view.  The undying optimist are all you spirited Smart car devotees, who have waited these many years, singing the Smart cars praises and keeping the Smart wheels turning. For those of you who have not been following the saga, it went something like this.

As far back, as 1990's the Swatch and others maintained "think tanks" in the U.S., pertaining to the original smart mcc (micro compact car) before building the plant and years before building their first car.

On April 26, 1997, it was reported the car would go on sale in Europe in April 1998, although, plans were postponed to bring the car to the United States, at this time. 

In October 1998, following a six-month delay, the Smart city coupe went on sale in Europe. When the Smart  debuted, it was regarded as a publicity stunt.

The Smart was described as eccentric, economical, and somewhat entertaining.

In 1998 the car made its first American appearance as Official Timekeeper for the Goodwill Games in New York.

The joint venture between Swatch and Mercedes experienced severe losses, and in November 1999, Swatch sold its remaining 19 percent involvement in the project to DaimlerChrysler. Rumors flourished that a small number of cars would be available in 2001.

In 2002 the car was placed on exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), in New York and is still there today! 

The first semi-certified Smart cars (above) imported to the United States were imported by eMotion Mobility, a company established by Donald Panoz, with DaimlerChrysler's and the state of Georgia's approval to build an electric version of the Smart. 

Atlanta-based eMotion Mobility introduced its prototype all-electric Smart car in 2002.

The company had planned to import 2,500 Smart car glider models, but in January 2004, eMotion Mobility ceased operations. We helped sell some of the Smart bodies and Solectria electronics, some were sold on eBay. 

Sources from Mercedes-Benz smartUSA division said "a good chance the Smart could migrate to America by 2004." On Nov. 7, 2002 Smart brand said that the Smart could sell well in urban markets in California, Florida and the East Coast. We agreed!

By 2003 we were confident the Smart was definitely going to be sold in the United States. Early 2004 we were told that the "small SUV called the ForMore would be introduced by Smart brand to the United States in 2006.

We prayed this would not be the case. Smart re-calculated the ForMore, and all advancements were placed on hold and their SUV was never built.

In 04 Smart USA, who at that time was a division of Mercedes-Benz, was to sign up 80 dealers who would begin selling the Smart in the United States by September 2006.

Smart setup a huge display at the 2005 Detroit auto show, all indications pointed to the car coming State side. However, right behind this they shelved plans to bring the Smart brand to the United States. Then reported a final decision would come in April. In April a restructuring of Smart's finances would eventual allow the U.S. rollout. Mercedes-Benz in Nov. of 2005 was still evaluating whether to bring the Smart to the United States.

In Dec of 2005 it was learned that a deal was in the works with Roger Penske’s United Auto Group for the sale, distribution and servicing of the Smart cars in North America. In June of 2006 the news was released to the public that United Auto Group would be the official dealer for the cars. Nov 02, 2006 Ulrich Walker, president of smart, and Roger Penske, chairman of UnitedAuto Group agreed on terms and conditions for bringing the Smart to the United States and signed a General Distributor Agreement just four months after it was announced Smart would be coming to the USA.

Jan 05, 2007 the production of the new Smart Fortwo was started. The new Fortwo can be ordered from European dealers in mid January and will be available from dealers around April.