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If you're looking forward to buying a smart car this year, chances are you live near a future dealership if you reside in the deep South or on the Plains. Penske Automotive Group, the official distributor of the smart, says 68 dealers in 31 states will be ready for sales at least by February, and most sometime this month. Smart describes its dealerships as having a "distinctive black facade," a showroom in smart black, yellow and white and a smart boutique selling smart-branded merch. It all sounds very smart.

The company hopes to have a total of 74 dealers by the fourth quarter of 2008. The final six locations will be in Alabama, California, Mississippi, Nevada and South Carolina. The San Rafael, Calif. location is expected to be the last addition.

As expected, the network will sell three levels of the Smart fortwo, the pure coupe starting at $11,590, the passion coupe at $13,950 and the passion cabriolet at $16,590.

If you want to know exactly how close you live to a future smart dealer, follow the jump where you'll find a list of the first 68 dealers, their addresses and phone numbers.

Gallery: smart fortwo

Continue reading Probably coming near you: A smart dealership

Probably coming near you: A smart dealership originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smart USA has begun recruiting North American dealers to sell the diminutive two-seater and is starting with current DaimlerChrysler dealers. While those already selling DC products would not be required to build a stand-alone Smart showroom, they would have to dedicate 2,000 sq feet to the product and provide a separate entrance. Automotive News reports dealers would be expected to invest about $300,000 apiece for the priviledge of selling Smarts. AutoNation, which runs 13 Mercedes dealerships, says it is among 400 candidates hoping to get Smart franchises.

To build U.S. awareness of the Smart brand, three tractor trailers will tour the country this summer, taking Smart cars to the masses in 37 cities. Potential buyers will then have a chance to test drive the ForTwo and find out just how intimidated even the smallest SUV will make them feel. Those still interested in buying, can look forward to the first of 2008, when the cars should actually hit dealer lots.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

$300,000 buy-in to sell Smarts in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>smartsmart dealersmart dealerssmart fortwosmart fortwo dealersmart usaSmartDealerSmartDealersSmartFortwoSmartFortwoDealerSmartUsaMon, 15 Jan 2007 09:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Who will sell Smart in the U.S.?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/08/who-will-sell-smart-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/08/who-will-sell-smart-in-the-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/08/who-will-sell-smart-in-the-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche thinks that's the big question as the company readies the Smart ForTwo city car for sale in the U.S.

In a German magazine interview, Zetsche openly said that the company is looking for a U.S. retail partner, stating "The sales network is decisive...It is certain that we want to cooperate with a third party."

Although Mercedes-Benz Canada has been selling all the ForTwo's it can get its hands on since the brand's Canadian launch in late 2004, Zetsche doesn't think that solution will work in the U.S., perhaps concerned that adding Smart would dilute the luxury-market positioning of the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Dodge is the most likely DaimlerChrysler candidate to get Smart, but Zetsche doesn't think it's good fit, possibly thinking that the premium city car wouldn't fit well in the small car part of Dodge's product portfolio. The entry-level price for the ForTwo in Canada is about $15,000 USD.

Despite the distribution channel conundrum, Zetsche remains confident that DaimlerChrysler will find a way to sell the Smart in the U.S.

Us? Given DCX's recent tie-up with Volkswagen, we'd like to see them resurrect the fortunes of VW's killer ZX-3 trike, and pair it with Smart in some sort of alternative sales channel, perhaps partnering with a motorcycle or scooter outfit.

[Source: Reuters]

Who will sell Smart in the U.S.? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jun 2006 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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