Production of the Smart Fortwo all electric drive began this week at the Hambach, France plant. Production of 1,000 units will be completed within the next few months. These are the first European electric vehicles that are fully operational for everyday use. Daimler AG tells us that these cars will be available to the general public for the model year 2012. The Smart Fortwo is now available in 41 markets around the world. Most recently with launches in China and Brazil, the Germany, Italy, and the U.S. are key markets.

Many of you are asking whether the Smart Fortwo launch, was a triumph, or a disappointment! Motor Trend stated "consider the lack of the smart fortwo's success." People either love or hate their Smarts and there's not much in-between, but on an objective basis we can't find fault with the use of the term "lack of smart success". This in no way however reduces our enthusiasm for the Smart or SCOA's continued optimism and anticipation for the long term success for the brand. We believe four-doors are not mandatory .

The GGI European Tuning Company of Miami, Florida is the exclusive North American distributor for Carlsson body kits for the Smart Fortwo and will sponsors event called Smart at the Top. This event is where the exciting trendy, witty, park-my-car-wherever-I-want, environmentally conscious smart fortwo owners of South Florida will come together. GGI and www.smarttuningaccessories.com will be giving away a Carlsson Smart Body Kit valued at $9,000, 10 sets of Continental high performance tires and access to 30 Carlsson Smart Body Kits at discounted prices.

The road for the Smart's U.S. launch had not been a smooth one with many road blocks and hurdles to overcome. Early in 2004, rumor had it that an SUV called the Smart ForMore would be introduced to the United States in 2006, by smartUSA, which was still a division of Mercedes-Benz. They began courting dealers to sell the Smart ForMore in the United States.

smart USA has launched their online store at www.smartUSAgearstore.com. Nothing special to report and many members are asking if this is the EXACT same EURO (smartware) product carried by smart centers being remarketed by smart USA through Cintas? Unfortunately, the merchandise available from www.smartUSAgearstore.com isn’t genuine smartware like that offered to the smart enthusiasts of Europe. If you want authentic smartware from Europe go to www.wellsmart.co.uk.

There are few companies that can make the Smart car even smarter! One such company which specializes in making great vehicles even greater is Lorinser! Lorinser makes automobiles that live up to the highest standards and their corporate philosophy is "Perfecting what is already precious." According to Sportservice Lorinser "when perfect design meets powerful performance and breathtaking curves unite with race-car engine performance, you have arrived. You have arrived in the world of Lorinser."

“The smart Festival” was held on September 12th 2009 at Mercedes-Benz World, of Brooklands, UK. This was the world's biggest-ever single day gathering of smart owners. The entire event was handled by Thesmartclub.com. They dealt with all online registrations, event applications and logistics. Mr. Al Young, Chairman & Managing Director of thesmartclub.com told SCOA this one-of-a-kind event was a gigantic success.

USA Today reports that the eight-foot, eight-inch Smart ForTwo has the most crush-resistant roof and the Chevrolet Aveo has the weakest among 2009 micro and minicars. The Smart earns the highest rating of good compared with acceptable for the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris. The Aveo is rated marginal, the institute said. (That's the Smart, left, with a metal plate pushing against one side of the roof.)

smart USA is promoting a $99 monthly payment for a 2009 Smart Pure, with the Cash for Clunkers incentive when applied to a Smart Fortwo. But read the fine print. There is a asterisk saying the $99 payment is for a balloon note, an uncommon form of payment for the purchase of a car. According to smart USA the Smart Fortwo is the most economical non-hybrid car available in America getting 33 mpg city and 41 mpg Hwy.

This is one of the nicest RV rigs you'll find on any highway. It's the conception of the Mitchell family and includes a SportChassis by Freightliner, an Elite Suite fifth-wheel by DRV and of course a Smart Passion. Mr. Mitchell, who recently attended and showed his stuff at a Freightliner event, was kind enough to write a great article about his Smart car transformation. Hopefully he'll tell us more about his impressive achievement and his Smart car travels? You'll note he tows his Smart with all wheels on the ground.

To rev-up excitement in the US, smart USA and the Penske Group used a very resourceful and—what many thought—a successful advertising strategy to market the Smart when it finally made its way to the US. They truly created a Smart buzz, using the popular word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing method along their unique cross-country tour. Now, with new concerns about safety from consumers, Smart USA is asking Smart car owners to assist them by, once again, using WOM.

Smart Madness offers the largest, in stock inventory of smart parts and accessories for your smart car. Smart Madness is a great place to shop, for when you are simply looking for Smart Car Parts and Accessories and ideas on how to make your Smart Car truly yours. If you are ready to give your Smart Car a new, fresh, one of a kind, custom look you have found your One Stop Smart Car Shop. It does not stop there. We invite you to check out the cool Smart Car trends from the latest in styling products like body kits and spoilers, custom interior and exterior accessories, Smart Car genuine replacement parts, safety equipment, fun clothing to show off your Smart Car attitude, to even outdoor gear like bike and ski racks.

For anyone in the Midwest, USA, Canada, or anywhere else is invited to attend the 1st Annual Midwest Smart Car Rally. All ages are welcome, as well as all smart models are welcome! Bring the whole family (Including the smart) for a fun filled weekend at the Wisconsin Dells! The long weekend in central Wisconsin will feature a dinner gathering at the Dell’s largest restaurant; Paul Bunyon’s Restaurant.

Driving at night can be a safer with an auto-dimming rear view mirror. Now Smart Fortwo owner's can have a auto dimming rear-view mirror, eliminating that unsafe and aggravating glare from a cars headlights traveling behind you. As the Smart Fortwo grows in popularity one downside is evident, the car does not have some factory equipment we take for granted. As is the case of a auto dimming rear-view mirror. This great addition for your Smart Car eliminates that dangerous glare and the strain it puts on your eyes from cars approaching from the rear.

Smart center Smithtown is a new smart car dealership serving Long Island, New York and the tri-state area. Located in Saint James, NY, they are proud to be an automotive leader in their community and member of the Competition Automotive Group. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it is a family owned dealership and has been in operation for over 48 years. They tell us whether you are in the market to purchase a new or pre-owned smart passion, smart for two pure, or smart cabriolet, their inventory of smart cars is second to none. They also have pre-owned smarts and rumor has it they will be leasing the smart car at very affordable prices.

With dealerships closing at a record pace, even the newest brand is not receiving immunity. The smart center White Plains has closed its doors for good. We are happy to announce that smartcentersmithtown has many smarts available in every model. Please call them if you are interested in purchasing a smart. Vinny, Mike and Peter will be here to answer any questions at 631-361-4500

If you wax your Smart every few months, you're protecting the car’s paint from fading and road wear. Smart GmbH, the green manufacturer of the car, uses water-soluble paint and clear coat on the Fortwo’s panels and powder coating on the tridion safety cell. There are numerous types of waxes, and some can be abrasive, which can damage the finish of your vehicle.

Most automatic car washes are safe for a Smart Fortwo cabriolet top. But using a car wash with barrel brushes should be avoided. All Smart Fortwo cabriolet owners should use a fluorocarbon repelling system to protect their tops. There are kits developed exclusively for the cleaning and care of a cabriolet roof. Smart Cabriolet Top Care...Your Smart cabriolet top is basically just a piece of cloth that, when driving, gets everything our environment can throw at it. Smart manufacturers are aware of this and use high-grade and heavy-gauge materials for cabriolets.