Smart Cars

Joe asked yesterday where the Smart Cars are manufactured so here's what I've found out:

Preparations for the smart fortwo began in the early 1990's with a Joint Venture between Mercedes-Benz and Swatch, the makers of Swatch watches known for their wide array of colorful designs. Nicolas Hayek, the inventor of the Swatch watch brought his ideas for an "ultra-urban" car to Mercedes-Benz.

Full development of the concept started in 1994 and the smart fortwo debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in 1997. It garnered more print space and TV coverage than any other car at the show. Production began in 1998 in Hambach, France. That same year, Smart became a 100% owned subsidiary of Daimler-Benz AG. Smart remains a member of the Mercedes Car Group, a Daimler AG Company.

Smart USA, a division of Penske Automotive Group, is the exclusive distributor for Smart in North America and Puerto Rico. Smart USA is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The smart fortwo is on display as a work of art at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. It is the only vehicle at MOMA which is still in production today.

The Smart Car will be on sale in the US beginning in January 2008.