Hopefully this article will help clear the air regarding the countless questions we receive daily regarding the Smart.

Unlike your typical car, the Smart and other ingenious super-mini vehicles are becoming more and more popular. With fuel prices rising, clever super-mini vehicles are in high demand world-wide.

If you're one of those who have made the decision to purchase an intelligent Smart car, you're not alone and all Smart aficionados should know basic information concerning the Smart and the dealer procedures.

Most are aware that demand for the Smart car is higher than the supply and the fact is there will not be adequate inventories available, through the 74 smart USA dealers for 2008.

Reports reveal the Smart will be offered in major metropolitan markets first and slowly expand to smaller ones.

The Smart dealers , hand picked by the Penske Auto Group and Mr. Schembri, President of smart USA all paid $350,000 for the privilege of selling the Smart. Fixtures and graphics for the dealerships cost up to an additional $85,000 and as much as $1,500 a month in fees.

Their expenditures do not include the new individual showrooms or facilities they are building.

Two-thirds of the Smart dealerships are Mercedes stores. Roughly 15 non-Mercedes dealers will also be selling the Smart. Nine (12%) of all the Smart stores are owned by the Penske Automotive Group.

Mr. Schembri, President of smart USA expects the "average Smart dealer to sell more than 200 vehicles in the first year." He also said dealers will be profitable within two years.

PAG and smart USA will not be offering any incentives, nor will dealers.

The finance arm for the Smart will most likely be Daimler Financial?

Each Smart dealer will receive 6 in-house Smart cars, 3 for their showroom, 1 tricked out Smart for display and 2 demonstrators.

These cars can not be sold. Each dealer also buys a tridon safety cell display at a cost of $8,500.

The Smart dealer's margin is 7% with an additional 2% for each car retailed and delivered in the dealer's area.

Smart USA charges each Smart dealer $50.00 for a reservation (lead) that results in a new car delivery in 2008. Which, smart USA acquires from their marketing arm (smart1) Internet Brands.

There are no plans for fleet sales.

Exact figures on sales volume has not been announced however an initial 5000 cars are on their way and should be delivered by the end of the first quarter of 2008.

Many dealers will have individual showrooms (like the Mini Cooper) that share service areas.

The Smart dealers that are selling the cars are in complete and total control of the sales transaction.