smart Coming to U.S. in 2008

After months of rumors and speculation, it's finally official: DaimlerChrysler will sell its smart car in the U.S. market. According to a recent announcement from Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management DaimlerChrysler AG, the first smart to make it here will be the next generation of the two-door fortwo model, available in three varieties beginning in early 2008. The announcement, while official, is not much of a surprise. The current generation fortwo (pictured) has been selling well in Canada, and interest in small, fuel efficient cars tends to rise with gas prices.

The surprise in the announcement is that DaimlerChrysler has chosen UnitedAuto Group to be the exclusive dealer network for smart vehicles sold in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, a move that looks to distance smart from the premium Mercedes-Benz brand and other brands in the DaimlerChrysler umbrella. UnitedAuto will qualify potential dealers based on strategic locations in key markets. The initial rollout of retail outlets is planned to start in mid-2007, with the official launch of the smart brand occurring later that year.