Penske bails out of Smart distribution deal, Daimler takes over

So much for Valentine's Day. Penske and Smart have jointly announced that the couple go their separate ways.

Penske walk away like distribution rights, management, sales and marketing duties, but that does not mean the brand is going anywhere. From now on peddle the pint-sized city Mover Mercedes-Benz and Smart USA, says the movement is only part of a larger growth strategy. In a letter to the owner, Smart said that all guarantees still valid, and that all should be ironed as soon as June of this year by the transfer kinks.

Talk about a quick rebound.

Daimler takes over Smart Distribution in the world, so the move makes sense for the troubled brand here in the States. Hobbled by low fuel prices, Smart sold 100,000 units worldwide last year. In comparison, the company was able to move to 114,000 vehicles amid the global recession of 2009. A poor 5927 fortwo were sold in the U.S. in 2010.

Rumours are told about a number of new models planned for the company, including a ForTwo +2 as well as a five-door hatch cut off. Hit the jump for the full press release and the company's letter to current owners. Thanks for the tip, Vince!

Chicago 2011: With two new models coming, "There is a future for Smart"

Smart fortwo has delivered its first electric drive and the 2011 ForTwo is equipped with a range of early features such as cruise control, navigation, and eight airbags. But no matter accumulated progress in the sole brand ambasador now is the question many have: Is there a future?
"It is a commitment to the Smart brand of smart USA and Daimler also committed to" Rick Bourgoise, Smart, Director of Communications, says Autoblog. "There are two ways for product expansion. Daimler alliance with Nissan-Renault to a small car platform as part of the next Smart ForTwo and a four-seat model offers arrive by mid-decade" The car could, or at least something with the scale model four-door ForTwo two spied recently in Europe do. The car is being developed by Mercedes-Benz and built by Daimler.
"That was good in the near future," said Bourgois, "but we needed more products in the short term." If he says "we", he is to smart USA, the Penske-distribution partnership process, the U.S. and Puerto Rico areas for Smart relates.
"But having agreed with Smart USA Nissan of the Americas to a five-door, five-seat hatch that will arrive sometime in the 4th quarter of 2011." The car refers to the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Nissan that Smart for a B-segment participants last October. This means that the car has been given official green light. The platform is assumed that the Micra as it is "a global vehicle for Nissan is not for sale" is, and they put them in a year. The design of the car is a collaboration between Smart and Nissan, but "it is a smart, be smart and have style elements remain true to the brand attributes," as a small footprint and high efficiency and recyclability. Burgoise also confirmed, "it will come in a standard manual and automatic transmissions." Bourgoise AB told the unnamed car sometime late Q1 or Q2 will be revealed.