President of smart(R) USA, Dave Schembri to Present at June Motor Press Guild Luncheon

LOS ANGELES, May 30, 2007 -- On Tuesday, June 5, The Motor Press Guild (MPG), America's largest professional automotive media association, will feature Dave Schembri, president of smart USA, from the UnitedAuto Group. The smart fortwo -- a small car with a big urban solution -- will be seen on streets across the United States this summer as part of a 50-city road show, giving consumers an opportunity to experience the fun and functionality of the vehicle firsthand. Dave Schembri, President of smart USA, will discuss details of the road show and how it fits into smart USA's marketing strategy as it leads up to the vehicle launch in early 2008. Schembri also will explain how in just over five weeks smart has received $99 deposits from 12,600 people eager to be among the first buyers of the two-seater fortwo, another unique element of smart's marketing efforts. MPG members will have the chance to drive the U.S. pre-production model of the fortwo following the meeting.

Schembri is responsible for the distribution of smart vehicles in the USA. This includes establishing and maintaining a retail network, customer relations, advertising, marketing, PR, and all sales, service, parts and aftersale functions.

Schembri has more than 30 years of automotive experience. The majority of his career was spent in various executive positions at Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz. The positions held at Volkswagen included the Director of Marketing and the Director of Sales Operations. At Mercedes Benz, Dave served as both the Vice President of Sales and the Vice President of Marketing. During his tenure, Schembri was responsible for several successful product launches and recorded 11 consecutive record years in new vehicle sales MPG Meeting Details:

  What:    Dave Schembri, president, smart USA to address Motor Press Guild

  When:     Tuesday, June 5, 2007
            Social -- 11:30 a.m.
            Luncheon -- Noon
            fortwo test drive at conclusion of presentation

  Where:    The Proud Bird Restaurant
            11022 Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

  Phone:    310-670-3093

  Price:    Members -- $20;
            Non-Members and Guests -- $25; (cash or check; open seating/no
            reservations)

  Contact:  MPG:  Robyn Eckard, 949-268-3049, or press@motorpressguild.org

For more information about MPG news, upcoming events, and directions to the Proud Bird, please visit http://www.motorpressguild.org/news.

About Motor Press Guild

The Los Angeles-based Motor Press Guild (MPG) is a non-profit professional association dedicated to promoting education and information exchange within the motoring press. MPG has more than 800 global members, including staff and freelance journalists, photographers, broadcasters, public-relations representatives from vehicle manufacturers, industry suppliers, aftermarket companies, consumer groups, governmental bodies and other motoring-related firms and organizations.