Smart has announced the first three Mercedes-Benz dealer groups to take on the franchise for the two-seater city car as part of a programme to expand its UK retail network.
Mercedes-Benz dealers have been offered the Smart franchise. The first MB-UK dealer to be awarded the franchise, B&K Thomas in Nottingham began selling Smart today.
Mercedes-Benz boss Jurgen Hubbert unveiled the new Smart Tridion4, the 5dr four-seater from the makers of the world's smallest passenger car. A production version is expected in 2004.
South Korean manufacturers have new models to challenge European performance cars. The 'ultimate' Subaru Impreza, the WRX STi (here in January) is expected to cost around £30,000 and will produce more than 260bhp, for a 0-60mph of 5.2 seconds and a 148mph top speed. Seventeen-inch wheels house larger Brembo-supplied brakes, while suspension is also uprated, with limited-slip differentials and a faster steering rack. Such improvements should offer stiff competition to Mitsubishi's Evo VII, reaching the UK at around the same time at a similar cost.
The first righthand drive versions of the Smart two-seater city cars City Coupe and Cabriolet, from DaimlerChrysler, will be delivered to customers in early November.
A marketing initiative by Smart to launch the brand of two-seater cars in 10 UK cities has led to 1,600 sales leads.
Smart cars could be achieving 100 miles to the gallon with CO2 emissions of less than 80g/km if a revolutionary new hybrid engine developed by DaimlerChrysler and British firm Zytech gets the go-ahead.
MCC Smart is claiming a UK first - every car sold this year was purchased over the internet.
This car could be a Smart way to help solve the world's congestion problems. Simon Harris finds out if it stacks up
Smart, the two-seater city car from DaimlerChrysler, has received three prestigious accolades from leading motor industry experts, in the first year of official UK sales.
Smart, the wholly-owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, is to continue its exploration of alternative ways of selling cars - and seek closer links with Mercedes dealerships.
Smart repair companies have been accused of supplying non-compliant materials and encouraging bodyshops to operate below the law by carrying out paint chip repairs on the shop floor.
Smart has temporarily cut £600 off its Smart & Pulse derivative by offering 250 as a “limited edition' with the same specification. The special price is £6,995.
##Smart--left## The Smart City Cabriolet will cost £9,360 on the road, it was announced today.
Dealers should take notice of recent findings by BCA, which reports that fleet vendors using its Smart Prepared pre-sale preparation programme are attracting significantly stronger bidding for their cars.
Official UK sales of the smart City-Cabriolet start in spring 2001. The two-seater convertible version of the smart City-Coupe has a partially electric soft-top and will be available in the top of the range smart and passion trim.
DaimlerChrysler expects to sell a large proportion of Smart City coupes over the internet in the UK, using the experience as a test-bed for a full blown online sales strategy.
DaimlerChrysler UK is confident of selling 4,000 left-hand drive Smart City coupes next year, targeting “sophisticated buyers who wish to make a lifestyle statement”.
Valeting and preparation firm Autoclenz has launched a smart repair service. AC Smart can be supplied to dealers as a standalone service or a value-added supplement to Autoclenz's valeting service. The scheme has been launched in the Midlands and will be rolled out nationwide by 2001.
Mercedes-Benz is planning to sell left-hand drive Smart cars in the UK by the end of the year, possibly with a launch at the Birmingham Motor Show in October, with right-hand variants going on sale in 2001.
