Auto Shows

Smart Crossstown Concept Auto Show Photo

The patriotic young people hired to populate DaimlerChrysler's smart stand wore t-shirts with the American flag highlighted by the caption, smarts and stripes, and images of little twofours in place of the stars. The smart division's new chief, Ulrich Walker, says DaimlerChrysler will decide by the end of this year (early next year at the latest), whether it will bring the tiny cars to the U.S. We're looking at different sales distribution models, Walker says. We will only come to the U.S. if we can make money. Walker says smart thinks it can do this with volumes of just 20,000 cars per year in the U.S. That would include the fortwo replacement, which will be designed to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards, just in case. Smart previewed a potential fortwo replacement study called the crosstown. It's retro, but uncompromisingly modern, Walker says. Configured mostly like the current fortwo, but with some Jeep and Mini cues combined into a much bolder-looking car, the crosstown features a hybrid three-cylinder gas engine/electric motor, with 10-percent better acceleration and 15-percent better fuel economy than gasoline-powered fortwos. It also has a stowaway windshield, two USB ports, and optional navigation system. Walker says the hybrid system is too costly and isn't feasible for smart's buyers, however. Unfortunately, the new business model for smart -- worldwide as well as possible U.S. sales - allows for two models, the fortwo and forfour, but not the discontinued roadster.

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