Three more Mercedes-Benz dealers have been awarded the Smart franchise. They are Derwent Vehicles in Holbeck, Leeds, Mercedes-Benz of Gatwick, in Crawley, and Western Automobile Company, in Edinburgh.

The move follows the launch of right-hand drive models and builds on the partners already appointed in the next phase of Smart network development in the UK. By the end of 2002 the Smart sales network will consist of between 30 and 40 sites.

Since the UK launch in October 2000, more than 4,800 smart have been sold through a network of five DaimlerChrysler UK wholly owned sales centres at Piccadilly, Chiswick, Milton Keynes, Birmingham and Manchester. Since the beginning of November 2001, 10 smart franchise partners have been appointed. Dermot Kelly, director of passenger Cars for Mercedes-Benz and Smart, said: “As sales increase and the market switches on to smart, we need a truly national network that reflects the smart brand and can fulfil the highest expectations in customer care. Our natural choice is to build on our existing partnerships. Those partners who show they understand, prescribe and deliver the unique smart values and who can present a viable business case will be awarded the Smart franchise.”