World Auto News & Reviews

While Smart USA may be going through some big changes, the company overall hasn’t stopped development on future products. The new Smart Forspeed concept will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and here is the first look at the new study.

Power comes from a rear-mounted 41-hp electric-motor that allows it to run from 0 to 37 mph in 5.5 seconds with a top speed of 75 mph. At the push of button, just in case you decide to race other electric-cars, 7 extra horses are available. On a full charge, the Smart Forspeed concept can travel a total range of 84 miles.

smart USA intends to launch a five-door car on the US market within the next 15 months. This was announced by smart USA in Detroit today.

Over 4,000 enthusiasts and 1,420 smarts descended on Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, to make this year’s smart festival the biggest and best-ever single-day gathering of smarts.

The event also saw a record-breaking number of people test drive the cutting-edge smart fortwo electric drive in one day. Over 370 people jumped at the exclusive opportunity to be amongst the first to sample the groundbreaking model that uses state-of-the-art lithium ion battery technology and which can be charged via a standard 13 amp socket.

Numbers for Smart’s Lilliputian Fortwo are dismal here in the States: from 24,600 units in 2008, sales dipped to 14,600 cars in 2009 and are 60% down to date this year. Furthermore, only 8.1% of metro New York buyers would return to the brand, while San Francisco is marginally better at 19.8%. With virtually no marketing (that I can see), a transmission with quirks that have to be explained, and a $14,000 price tag, something clearly has to be done to rectify the misperceived city car brand.

smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., , announces the appointment of its first dealer in Puerto Rico. The new dealer will be named smart center San Juan and will be part of the Triangle Automotive Group, the largest automotive retailer in Puerto Rico.

“The smart fortwo will provide the residents of Puerto Rico with a great transportation option that is affordable, offers great fuel efficiency, is perfect for congested island areas and is simply fun to drive.”

“I am pleased to extend the reach of the smart brand into Puerto Rico,” said Jill Lajdziak, President, smart USA. “The smart fortwo will provide the residents of Puerto Rico with a great transportation option that is affordable, offers great fuel efficiency, is perfect for congested island areas and is simply fun to drive.”