smart formore Will Be Launched in the US in 2006

Vehicle Will Be Launched in the US in 2006

MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 20 -- The smart utility vehicle (suv), scheduled for launch in 2006, will bear the name smart formore. This vehicle will also mark the company's entrance into the US market. With the introduction of the new model, suited to all roads and driving conditions, smart will be represented in the world's largest automotive market for the first time. The four-wheel drive smart formore will also be launched in the company's other core markets.

Starting in 2006, the smart formore will be built in the DaimlerChrysler plant in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. The plant has a capacity of 60,000 cars per year. In a full sales year, smart plans to sell half of these in the USA and half in its other core markets.

"With the smart formore we will be applying the typical smart characteristics of innovation, functionality and joie de vivre to the SUV sector. The new smart model will be a distinctive vehicle, unique in the market -- enough so that we translate 'suv' as 'smart' utility vehicle," explained Andreas Renschler, President of smart gmbh. "The smart formore will provide a driving experience loaded with adrenaline -- off road as well as on -- expressive design and a high utility value. It is the ideal model to launch the smart brand in the US market."

smart Naming Concept

With the name smart formore, smart is following the naming logic which it began with the four-seater forfour. The basic principle of this logic is to give names which have a direct connection to the uses of each vehicle. Therefore from 2006 the smart formore will be added to the range of new smart model names: the smart fortwo coupe, smart fortwo cabrio and smart forfour. The smart roadster and smart roadster-coupe are to retain their original, well-known names, since these already describe what all smart models have to offer -- sheer driving pleasure.

smart (www.smart.com) is a premium small car manufacturer, which is part of the Mercedes Car Group business unit of DaimlerChrysler. Celebrating its fifth anniversary, smart is currently available in almost thirty overseas markets with sales of 123,500 units in 2003.

smart USA, based in Montvale, New Jersey is responsible for the U.S. sales and marketing of the brand that will launch the smart formore, designed specifically for this market in 2006.