After a difficult year for Smart in the USA, it appears Mercedes-Benz may be about to step in with the aim of changing its fortunes.
Mercedes-Benz USA has started discussions with Penske Automotive Group about transitioning the sales, marketing activities, distribution rights and management of Smart USA from Penske to Mercedes with the transition to occur by the end of the second quarter of 2011.
The move comes after Smart posted sales of just 5,927 units in 2010 – that’s down 59.4 per cent on 2009’s total of 14,595 units.
It is hoped the change will further implement the Smart brand’s growth strategy and reflect last year’s reorganisation in Germany where Smart is managed as an independent brand but is fully integrated into the Mercedes-Benz unit of Daimler AG.
