Newsflash: smart fortwo to be Marketed by Third Party in USA? [UPDATED]
According to Automotive News, DaimlerChrysler AG may use a third party to distribute its smart minicar in the United States. This quote is attributed to Klaus Maier, executive vice president for Mercedes-Benz sales and marketing.
At this time I do not have more information, but as I remarked in my article "What would Paul Halata do?" it has been speculated that Penske's United Auto Group would have a hand in marketing the fortwo. Time will tell and I will certainly post more as this story develops. We might still make my April announcement prediction yet.
Here is the update: Paul Halata, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, says the DaimlerChrysler supervisory board will decide whether to launch Smart in the United States in six to eight weeks. Dealers (Mercedes or otherwise) have not yet been consulted as MBUSA brass awaits a decision. The holdup? Exchange rates. Using the six to eight weeks prediction, it would appear that we are looking at a May/June timetable for a decision. What about using an independant dealer network, MBUSA has this to say, "We are open to the most efficient and suitable solution."
The full story can be found by clicking here.
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