Automobile manufacturer Smart has been embroiled in rumors about the brand’s future for some time now. Will the
Lilliputian carmaker be sold in the U.S.? Will it ever turn a profit? Will DaimlerChrysler close the brand, or simply
load it on a trailer and sell it to someone else?
According to an article to be released Monday by Automotive News Europe, the company is reportedly in discussions
with Piaggio, an Italian firm best known for its motorized bikes-n-trikes (it
owns Vespa, Moto Guzzi, and Aprilia, among others).
According to the article, DCX has asked a ‘very reasonable price’ for the brand, including the company’s Hambach
plant and plans for future models. The scooter and light commercial trucklet concern is reportedly hoping to shift
production to India if its bid is successful.
For its part, DCX says that it doesn’t have plans to sell the microcar company to Piaggio, and asserts only that it
is looking for partnerships, not outright sales.
[Source: Monsters and Critics]
Update: According to Reuters, DCX and Piaggio are denying the possibility of this sale.