Smart Car of America - Smart Commemorates First Decade

Smart Commemorates First Decade

The instantly identifiable Smart fortwo is celebrating its 10th year on our roads. The history of the car begins in 1989 when the two partners Swatch and Mercedes-Benz established the Micro Compact Car AG, headquartered in Biel, Switzerland. On July 2, 1998, a new concept vehicle rolled off the assembly line. It was called the smart MCC, now called the the smart fortwo.

smart car celebrates 10 years

smart fortwo - instantly recognisable

Love it or hate it, the iconic smart fortwo is celebrating 10 years on our roads.

Since it went on sale a decade ago, the fortwo has gone on to win over more than 900,000 smart enthusiasts in 37 countries.

The history of the car begins in 1989, when Nicolas G. Hayek, the inventor of the Swatch, won the interest of Mercedes-Benz to create a small car for city driving.

The two partners established the Micro Compact Car AG, headquartered in Biel, Switzerland.

The smart fortwo (known as the city coupe at the time) celebrated its world premiere at the 1997 IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt.

Sales of the fortwo commenced in October 1998. In the same year, smart became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz AG (now Daimler AG).

The cute two-seater has since gathered something of a cult status, and is the only automobile currently in production to be displayed at New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Since beginning of 2008 the smart is being successfully sold in the U.S. and starting from mid 2009 it will also be available in China.

For 2010 the first smart electric drive of the current vehicle generation is planned.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "The smart fortwo is a unique car that combines driving pleasure with lifestyle and exemplary fuel efficiency.

"Had we not invented it ten years ago, we would have to do so now."

Source: www.newcarnet.co.uk
http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/smart_news.html?id=8278