Smart – Automotive Economy Gets A New Face

The smart car fortwo was actually a long-awaited urban minicar which has been creating a uproar since 1998. Its diminutive proportions, small-displacement power-plants, and unique style have given it distinctive allure. Initial sales in the US surpassed nearly everyone’s expectations.

The smart had been available in Europe since 1998. During this period, it was initially called the smart MCC. It was later christened the smart city coupe, and ultimately redubbed the smart fortwo. This became the car a majority of American’s are acquainted with.

The smart fortwo has come full circle and now has three models: the Pure Coupe, Passion Coupe and Cabriolet.

All three designs are second generation entries and began being introduced during early October 2010. There is very little differentiation among the three models. The Passion Cabriolet offers the style of roof that can be opened by the driver.

Among the plus points of the smart fortwo are styled body panels that can be disassembled and interchanged in pairs of colors that appeal to the desires of the owner. In the most recent generation, there are seven color options for the body panels. A Color front spoiler, and side and rear sections can be individualized with body panels to suit whatever the driver wants.

As a consequence of a serious, major marketing and promotion campaign, the fortwo hasn’t been a resounding success since it was introduced in 2008, and available for sale in the US. Thanks to the intervention of industry leader Mercedes-Benz USA, administration, sales and marketing of its smart brand in the US was assumed from original marketer Penske.

An innovative, new marketing team was placed at the helm and has implemented strategies that will rebuild brand consciousness for the smart fortwo. This was the main issue Penske over looked and among the significant causes sales and profits from the smart were much lower than expected.

Initially, even the Mercedes-Benz USA marketing campaign failed to consider the real strengths of the smart, which was the cars’ enormous fun factor!

Smart’s second-generation fortwo is currently sold through Mercedes Benz dealerships and has just surpassed a significant milestone, by selling its 500,000th smart worldwide. Due to the fortwo’s resounding new success, it will finally get a redesign in 2014.

Their next major market entry will be the electric smart fortwo car, which will be offered in more substantial quantities.

Smart is anticipating continuing growth in in the future due primarily to two new offers. Smart will be launching the electric version of its fortwo city car during the spring of 2012. An all-new electric ebike is slated to follow sometime during the second quarter of 2012.

Daimler, Mercedes’ German parent company, will be developing the next two-seat smart in partnership with Renault, which is seeking a suitable replacement for their own micro car – the Twingo. Renault is a French manufacturer and the smart’s primary plant is based in France.

Smart is additionally hinting at development and introduction of a fresh four-seat design, which will likely not appear before 2015. Smart previously made a four-seater, but halted production because of sluggish sales.

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