smart USA Launches $99 Vehicle Reservation Program

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich.--smart USA, a subsidiary of United Auto Group, Inc, , has launched its smart fortwo reservation system. The smart fortwo is expected to go on sale in the United States in the first quarter 2008 through a dealership network being developed by smart USA, the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Consumers interested in owning a smart fortwo can take the first step in the ownership process by reserving a production model, including trim level and color preferences, for $99.00. Those interested in reserving a smart fortwo should visit the smart USA home page at www.smartusa.com and click on the reservation link.

“We are encouraged by the overwhelming, positive response to smart,” said Roger Penske, smart USA Chairman. “To date, our website has received more than 800,000 unique visitors, and over 46,000 people have registered on the website as smart ‘insiders’. The reservation system is a way for us to respond to consumer interest while we establish our dealership network.”

The reservation process is easy – prospective buyers may select the model and color of the smart fortwo they want to reserve – either the entry-level pure starting under $12,000(a), the well-equipped passion coupe starting under $14,000(a), or the passion cabriolet, starting under $17,000. ((a) These expected starting prices exclude tax, license, registration, destination charge and options.) Additional details on all trim levels and colors are available on the smart USA website. To complete the reservation process, consumers simply submit their secure, online credit card payment of $99. Reservation holders will then receive an official confirmation certificate by email and their $99 reservation will be applied to the purchase of the fortwo.

“The smart fortwo is coming to the United States at the right time,” said Dave Schembri, President, smart USA. “The smart fortwo is the answer to many urban issues facing our major cities today; it is economical, ecologically friendly, functional and is simply a fun car to drive.”

Later this year, smart USA will launch a 44-city road show tour where interested consumers will have the chance to drive the vehicle at various events across the country. The road show has been designed to showcase the many features of the car including its sophisticated safety management system, its functionality and driving performance. The complete road show schedule will be posted on www.smartusa.com this spring.

ABOUT smart and smart USA

The smart fortwo is manufactured by the Mercedes Car Group and is a member of the DaimlerChrysler family. smart is currently sold in 36 countries, and over 770,000 smart fortwos have been sold since 1998. This technologically advanced vehicle has been designed to achieve 40 plus miles per gallon under normal driving conditions. The vehicle is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall, 5.1 feet wide, and comes equipped with many functional and safety features reserved for most luxury models. The smart dealer network will be announced during the second half of 2007.

smartUSA, headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto Rico and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Auto Group, Inc.

ABOUT UNITED AUTO GROUP, Inc.

United Auto Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 310 retail automotive franchises, representing 41 different brands, and 26 collision repair centers. UnitedAuto, which sells new and previously owned vehicles, finance and insurance products and replacement parts, and offers maintenance and repair services on all brands it represents, has 165 franchises in 19 states and Puerto Rico and 145 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom. UnitedAuto is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has nearly 16,000 employees.

For additional information visit – www.smartusa.com or www.unitedauto.com