I guess Penske's not ready to throw in the towel on smart just yet, but a Versa clone? It sounds like a redux of the forfour/Mitsu Colt. Of course, it might just be a bridge model until the new generation arrives. Honda did the same thing with Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport until the Pilot could be introduced.
Penske Auto, Nissan Sign Deal to Sell Smart-Brand Cars in U.S.
"Penske Automotive Group Inc., a large chain of car dealerships, said Wednesday it reached a nonbinding agreement with Nissan Motor Co. to sell a Nissan-made small car in the U.S. market under the Smart brand name.
Penske already sells the tiny two-passenger Smart ForTwo minicar made by Daimler AG, and is interested in a adding a second model to the Smart line in hopes of boosting sales, Jill Lajdziak, president of Penske subsidiary Smart USA Distributor LLC, said in an interview.
The new Smart model, due in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2011, is a four-door hatchback that Nissan already sells in other regions of the world, Ms. Lajdziak said. Nissan itself already offers a car of that type, the Versa, in the U.S. market."
Penske Auto, Nissan Sign Deal to Sell Smart-Brand Cars in U.S.
"Penske Automotive Group Inc., a large chain of car dealerships, said Wednesday it reached a nonbinding agreement with Nissan Motor Co. to sell a Nissan-made small car in the U.S. market under the Smart brand name.
Penske already sells the tiny two-passenger Smart ForTwo minicar made by Daimler AG, and is interested in a adding a second model to the Smart line in hopes of boosting sales, Jill Lajdziak, president of Penske subsidiary Smart USA Distributor LLC, said in an interview.
The new Smart model, due in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2011, is a four-door hatchback that Nissan already sells in other regions of the world, Ms. Lajdziak said. Nissan itself already offers a car of that type, the Versa, in the U.S. market."