SOCSF™

Stuttgart, Jan 19, 2007

Before the new smart fortwo is launched on the market in April 2007, the master class of the internationally renowned photo artist Katharina Sieverding will work on a unique project: The master students Friederike Hamann and Moritz Hirsch will turn the penultimate car of the current smart fortwo series into a phosphorescent light object. After its completion, the smart fortwo will be staged and photographed in urban spaces as a rolling work of art. The highlight of the project is the exclusive three-day exhibition of the vehicle and the documentary photo strip at Galerie Viaux in Berlin from 08 – 11 March 2007. The pictures can be purchased and the proceeds will go to charity.

smart fortwo with special luminescent paintwork

Like the work of Katharina Sieverding, who is renowned for her large-format self-portraits and one of the leading contemporary international photo artists, the master students will show the possibilities offered by modern photography.

They use the smart fortwo as an experimental light source that reacts to different influences like a photographic exposure process. With special luminescent green paintwork the smart fortwo reflects its environment and presents the city in its own special way.

Moritz Hirsch has experimented with projections and light in public spaces since 2001. “For me the car represents the interface between mobility and the city. There is a unique interplay of light and reflection on the smart fortwo”, is how the artist describes the intention of the project.

Last available smart fortwo of the current series

The smart fortwo styled by Friederike Hamann and Moritz Hirsch is the penultimate car produced and the last model of the present series to be offered for sale. This is because it is a tradition for the first and last vehicle produced in series by the Mercedes Car Group to be handed over to the collection of the Mercedes-Benz museum.

To date, 770,256 smart fortwos have been produced at “smartville”, the production plant at Hambach in France. The last vehicle of the current smart fortwo series rolled off the production line at the end of November. Production of the new smart fortwo started on 2 January 2007

Stuttgart, Jan 12, 2007

The new smart fortwo is available to order from all smart centers from Monday 15 January 2007. Customers will be pleased to hear that prices for the new vehicle are no higher than for previous models. The new smart fortwo coupé with 45 kW (61 bhp) is available in the pure equipment line at a price of € 9,490. The new smart fortwo can do everything that the current model can do – but better. This means that the new smart fortwo is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more environmentally friendly than its predecessor.

The new smart fortwo will arrive on the market in April and will be available as both a coupé and a cabrio. There are two naturally aspirated petrol engine versions to choose from, delivering 45 or 52 kW (61 / 71 bhp) respectively, and one turbo engine rated at 62 kW (84 bhp). The diesel version, the smart fortwo cdi, has a power output of 33 kW (45 PS).

smart fortwo cdi: There’s no more economical way of running a car

Despite the increased engine power, standard petrol consumption for the petrol versions is just 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. And in the 45 kW and 52 kW versions, the smart fortwo coupé needs even less fuel: Here, standard consumption according to the NEDC is just 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

The diesel version boasts even lower consumption. With standard consumption of just 3.4 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, the new smart fortwo cdi has the lowest consumption in its class. Or, to put it another way, at present there is no more economical car than the smart fortwo cdi.

With CO2 emissions of just 90 grams per kilometre, the smart fortwo cdi achieves “three litre” status. The diesel version of the new smart fortwo thus has the lowest CO2 emissions of any car on the market today.

The new smart fortwo is making its debut for the very first time on United States soil. The new vehicle will be on display at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan (January 7 to 21, 2007). The new smart fortwo will be available in the USA for purchase beginning in the first quarter of 2008. The car shown in Detroit is an European version of the new smart fortwo. Model lines to be available in the United States will be announced at later date.

smart, like Mercedes-Benz and Maybach, is part of the Mercedes Car Group. The exhibition stand is directly opposite Chrysler and Dodge in Oakland Hall (inside Cobo Center). Written in large letters on the stand are the words “Coming to the USA in 2008″. And front and center, a smart fortwo with red bodypanels and a silver tridion safety cell, will be on display. The tridion safety cell and other components of the sophisticated safety management system will be highlighted at the show.

The new smart fortwo can do everything that the current model can do – but better. This means that the new smart fortwo is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more environmentally friendly than its predecessor. And from the first draft it is designed to meet American consumer needs and registration standards.

The right car at the right time

It is time for the smart fortwo to make an appearance in the USA; fuel prices are rising and city traffic is increasing by the day. In short, the smart fortwo is the right car at the right time.

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, the two-seater quickly became a popular vehicle following its launch in October 1998. The same is sure to hold true in the USA.

More than 770,000 customers have chosen the first generation of the smart fortwo – often to replace a larger car with the lively two-seater. Because the smart fortwo is something special and stands out from the crowd, and because it is simply fun to drive.

Apart from this, the vehicle concept is also highly practical – especially for people who live in cities or urban areas. On most vehicle journeys a car carries just a single occupant. smart’s unique design and size allows the car to maneuver big city traffic and parking easily. The smart fortwo can easily fit in tight places and can park in spaces larger vehicles have to pass by.

As early as 2002, the smart fortwo was included in the permanent collection in New York’s Museum of Modern Art – the only vehicle there that is still produced today. The five other models to attain this honor were the Cisitalia, Jaguar E-Type, Willy’s Jeep, Ferrari Formula 1 and Volkswagen Beetle.

The right distribution partner

With Roger Penske and UnitedAuto Group, smart has the right distribution partner to bring the smart fortwo to the US market in 2008. smart USA is currently reviewing market data to determine dealership locations – no specific locations have been identified to date. Dealer organizations will be announced during the second half of 2007. Starting price for the smart fortwo is expected to be under $15,000.

UnitedAuto Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 319 dealers with 41 different brands and 27 repair workshops. UAG specializes in the sale of new and pre-owned cars, financing, insurance and supplying spare parts and also offers a maintenance and repair service for all the brands it offers.

Pictures of the new smart fortwo in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles as well as other images are available at http://media.smart.com

The smart fortwo, manufactured by Mercedes Benz, will go on sale in the United States beginning first quarter of 2008 however; its anticipated arrival has many Americans counting down the days. As of early December 2006, over 500,000 people have visited www.smartusa.com and over 25,000 people have registered as smart “insiders” on the site and have requested to receive a monthly newsletter about the vehicle. All this activity comes with little to no media relations efforts.

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean the two-seater quickly became hit following its launch in October 1998. The same excitement is expected in the United States.

To date, more than 770,000 people, in 36 other countries, have decided to switch to a smart fortwo – often to replace a larger car with the snappy two-seater. This is because the smart fortwo is a unique vehicle and a car that stands out from the rest. The vehicle is also – quite simply – fun to drive!

Continue reading →

Böblingen, Nov 02, 2006

Ulrich Walker, president of smart, and Roger Penske, chairman of UnitedAuto Group (UAG), agreed on terms and conditions for bringing the smart fortwo to the United States. Yesterday both parties signed a General Distributor Agreement (GDA) just four months after it was announced smart would be coming to the USA. The GDA will regulate all future USA-based smart activities. After evaluating and defining all stages for distributing smart in the USA, the GDA was established to determine the detailed market introduction strategy. The GDA outlines the allocation of functions, market launch, sales activities, after sales, service and communications.

The launch of the successor to the current smart fortwo in the USA, follows the success of the smart fortwo in Europe where more than 750,000 vehicles have been sold. The increasing demand for affordable and fuel efficient small cars in the USA make it the right time for the launch of smart in the USA.

“This is absolutely the right car in the right place at the right time. It embodies the unique combination of a lifestyle and design oriented vehicle that is ecologically appealing,” said Ulrich Walker, President of smart. “smart is uniquely designed, offers the lowest cost of ownership and is very fun to drive.”

Additional attributes of the vehicle include an ingenious safety management system including the Tridion safety cell, (which forms the unique design of the car), Electronic Stability Program, ABS brakes and four airbags. “We are very excited to represent smart in the United States. The reaction to the announcement, made earlier this year, has been fantastic,” said Roger Penske, Chairman of UnitedAuto Group. “This is a vehicle that people gravitate to and it provides solutions to a variety of transportation issues that we face every day in the United States.”

smart dealerships are expected to be announced in the second half of 2007. Dealers selected for smart stores must demonstrate a passion for the brand, commit to new and non-traditional dealership processes and have a proven record of outstanding customer satisfaction, as well as other criteria. Vehicles will be available in the USA in the first quarter of 2008.

For further information about the smart vehicles please refer to www.media.smart.com or www.smartusa.com.

About UnitedAuto

United Auto Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 319 retail automotive franchises, representing 41 different brands, and 27 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 170 franchises in 20 states and Puerto Rico and 149 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom and Germany. UnitedAuto is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has over 15,000 employees.

About smart

Since October 1998 the smart fortwo has attracted more than 750,000 customers in 36 countries. As a brand of DaimlerChrysler, smart benefits from the parent corporation’s technical expertise and extensive experience in the automotive business. The successor to the smart fortwo will be launched in Europe next year and will be available in the USA for the first time the following year.

smart, as one of the youngest car makes on the market, stands for innovation, functionality and joie de vivre and especially appeals to customers who are interested in new, clever and trend-setting solutions in the automotive sector. smart drivers are characterized by attitude, not by age, profession, gender or any other ‘traditional’ criteria clustering groups of people. smart people are open minded, question the existing and live consciously.

Cautionary Statement UAG
Statements in this press release involve forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements pertaining to successful completion of the proposed distributorship and dealership network on the terms described above. The actual results may vary materially from those planned because of risks and uncertainties, including external factors such as interest rate fluctuations, changes in consumer spending, economic conditions and other factors over which management has no control. These forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with additional information about UnitedAuto’s business, markets, conditions and other uncertainties which could affect UnitedAuto’s future performance, which is contained in UnitedAuto’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which is incorporated into this press release by reference. This press release speaks only as of its date and UnitedAuto disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

Cautionary Statement DaimlerChrysler
This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect management’s current views with respect to future events. The words “anticipate,“ “assume,“ “believe,“ “estimate,“ “expect,“ “intend,“ “may,“ “plan,“ “project“ and “should“ and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: an economic downturn in Europe or North America; changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and in raw material prices; introduction of competing products; increased sales incentives; the effective implementation of the New Management Model for DaimlerChrysler and the CORE program; including the new business model for smart at the Mercedes Car Group; renewed pressure to continue cost reduction efforts in light of restructuring plans announced by General Motors Corporation and Ford Motor Company; supply interruptions of production materials resulting from shortages, labor strikes or supplier insolvencies; the resolution of pending governmental investigations; and decline in resale prices of used vehicles. If any of these or other risks and uncertainties occur (some of which are described under the heading “Risk Report” in DaimlerChrysler’s most recent Annual Report and under the heading “Risk Factors” in DaimlerChrysler’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission), or if the assumptions underlying any of these statements prove incorrect, then actual results may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, which speaks only as of the date on which it is made.

It’s this year’s fourth big screen outing for the small city car: “A Good Year” directed by Ridley Scott

Stuttgart, Oct 26, 2006

It played Clouseau’s cop car in “The Pink Panther,” provided Tom Hanks with a quick getaway in “The Da Vinci Code – Sakrileg” and was a perfect vehicle for Garfield’s “owner” Jon Arbuckle in “Garfield 2”. Now the smart fortwo gets to play Cupid: the two-seater brings the lovers together in Ridley Scott’s new film “A Good Year.” Oscar-winner Russell Crowe plays a career-obsessed investment expert who rediscovers the love and simple life in Provence. “A Good Year” starts in German cinemas on November, 9th.Life is turned on its head for Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) when he travels to France to sell a vineyard he has inherited from his great-uncle. Max’s travels through Provence in a smart fortwo mark the start of a new life. But the usually successful businessman doesn’t recognize it until much later. First he has to struggle with the navigation system and almost runs over an attractive young Frenchwoman, Fanny (played by Marion Cotillard), without noticing. But the smart fortwo brings about a reunion: Fanny recognizes the car outside the vineyard – and love gets a second chance. Then Max is offered a partnership by his boss. He has to make up his mind. Should he turn his back on the London business world?

Recognizing the essentials

The romantic comedy shows: True Happiness does not rest on wealth – but on quality of life. “The hero comes to see that consciously giving up some things can add to his joie de vivre,” explains Anders Sundt Jensen, Marketing and Sales Director at smart. “The protagonist leaves his old life behind him and makes a new start with the smart fortwo. He soon discovers the advantages of the smart, which is an emblem of his new life. What looks small from the outside offers a lot of space on the inside. By cutting down to just two seats the driver wins agility and more freedom, for example, when parking. In brief: our product and brand values make an ideal match for the film content.” In star director Ridley Scott’s film the smart fortwo often takes center stage. On winding country roads or full parking spaces – the “stream green” city car always makes a great impression.

Double premiere for smart

High-profile product placements such as this are a highlight of smart’s new communication strategy: “Focused Marketing” aims to minimize media coverage waste and to appeal directly to customers and potential customers, ensuring an integrated brand presence in Europe. For “The Pink Panther” smart organized a unique competition with an online preliminary round and a final rally in the original film locations. The game was flanked with a multitude of PR activities.

The Öko-Trend institute for environmental research certifies a high level of environmental friendliness for the smart fortwo and has awarded it the environmental certificate for cars. The petrol version with 45 kW (61 bhp) has received the award for more reasons than just its low fuel consumption as the certificate is based on an extensive assessment of a car’s environmental compatibility.

As well as fuel consumption, noise and pollutant emissions, ecological criteria such as details of the manufacturer’s production, procurement, logistics, recycling and environmental management are included in the assessment.

These things have always been important to smart: protection of the environment was and continues to Continue reading →

Paris, Sep 25, 2006

Comfort, agility, safety and ecology are particular strengths of the smart fortwo. They are best demonstrated in European cities such as Paris, Berlin or Rome – the environment that this car was developed for and where it has achieved cult status in a very short space of time. The smart fortwo requires only half the road space of most other vehicles. The agile two-seater not only gets you around town more quickly; if everyone were to drive a smart fortwo, the line of cars waiting at the traffic lights would be only half as long, and the car parks would have space for twice as many cars. Or to put it another way: you don’t have to look for a parking space in the smart fortwo – you find one.

A car park at the fair stand

But let’s come back to comfort, agility, safety and ecology: under the motto “The city loves you” the smart fortwo will be demonstrating these – its archetypal strengths – at the Paris Motor Show. A car park is a main feature of the exhibition area. Here, 15 smart fortwos are parked close together. They demonstrate the economical use of valuable parking space by this two seater measuring less than three metres in length.

Incidentally, all the smart fortwos sport the same appearance in lite white with a silver tridion safety cell. With one exception: the smart fortwo edition red has an all-over “intensive red” finish. This sporty two-seater is to be offered as the final special model as the current series is phased out, and is also on show at the fair in Paris.

The new smart fortwo: Even more smart fortwo

The new smart fortwo, which will be launched in the spring of 2007, is not on show in Paris. The world premiere will take place this year, at a location outside of the trade fair circuit. However, a first indication of its appearance has already been given: a sand sculpture of the new model could be seen during the German beach volleyball championships at the beginning of September at Timmendorfer Strand.

Over and above this we can reveal this much: the new smart fortwo will be a true smart fortwo as well. It will adopt the key characteristics of the current model. You could say that the fortwo can do everything that the current fortwo can do – but a little better.

The smart press conference will take place on the first press day (28 September 2006 from 12:15 to 12:30). In addition, journalists are warmly invited to start the first and second press days from 8:30 to 10:30 with a smart breakfast.

In the evening of the first press day (28 September 2006) automotive journalists will have an opportunity to watch the film “A Good Year” before it is shown at cinemas in November. In a screening that is not open to the public smart will show the film starring Oscar prize-winner Russell Crowe (who drives a smart fortwo in the film) in the English original. “A Good Year” is the fourth international cinema film featuring smart product placement. Journalists will assemble at 18.30 and the film will be screened at 19.30.

At http://media.smart.com you will find previously unpublished design sketches of the new smart fortwo, pictures of the sand sculpture of the new model and pictures of the current model.