Canadian Deliveries of the New Generation smart fortwo Started
TORONTO, ON – Mercedes-Benz Canada announced today the start of the sales for next generation smart fortwo. The first new generation smart fortwo was delivered by smart Centre Mississauga to Tracy MacKenzie, a 24-year old resident of Brampton, Ontario. "After my test drive, I knew that the smart fortwo was the perfect fit for me. As my first car purchase, it satisfied my budget and safety concerns, along with my fun-spirited personality."
The smart brand was launched in Canada in late 2004, and the car was an immediate hit with car-buying Canadians who enthusiastically embraced this concept of uniquely intelligent personal transportation. While the smart was initially hailed predominantly as a city car, it has also done extremely well outside major urban centres: in its first three years in Canada, more than 50% of sales have been transacted in smaller markets and rural areas.
In short, the diminutive car has performed big in every way, including its volume. When Mercedes-Benz Canada decided to import and distribute the smart, it had a goal of 3,000 units for the remaining three year period of the car's lifecycle. Instead, more than 10,000 units - more than three times the original planning volume - were retailed. Production of the first generation smart is now virtually sold out.
The new generation smart fortwo has now arrived in Canadian showrooms. It is offered in three models: the pure coupé starting at $14,990, the passion coupé starting at $18,250, and the passion cabriolet starting at $21,250.
The basic pure model is standard-equipped with convenience features such as a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, central remote locking system, 2-spoke leather steering wheel, power windows, radio 9 and more.
The sporty and well-equipped passion coupe includes a panoramic roof, alloy wheels, air conditioning with climate control, 3-spoke leather steering wheel with shift paddles, power windows, power steering, heated seats, radio 10 with sound package, and tridion safety cell in silver.
The passion cabriolet has all the features of the passion coupé. The main difference lies in the soft top with a heated rear glass window that is fully automatic and can be infinitely adjusted to any position while driving at any speed. To convert the car into a full cabriolet, the side roof bars can be removed in no time and stowed in a special compartment in the tailgate.
The new generation smart offers additional comfort and agility and again sets new standards in safety and ecology. A host of advances complement a dynamic and more aggressive look designed to enhance the lifestyle, practical needs and personal style of the customer.
The tridion safety cell, esp®, brake assist, active safety systems, advanced seats with integral seat belts, full-size driver and passenger airbags, and head/thorax side airbags are some of the key safety features offered on the new generation models. Its longer wheelbase, wider track and stance make for improved handling and a more comfortable ride.
The new generation smart has been redesigned with a new, more powerful gasoline engine, better acceleration and higher maximum speed without compromising its top notch fuel economy - the car qualifies for the full ecoAuto Rebate of $2,000.
Its lower emissions and phenomenal fuel consumption, combined with 100% recyclable body panels, make it the ideal choice for consumers who are conscious about making a difference. The smart will continue to be manufactured in Hambach, France - an energy-saving, eco-friendly production environment.
President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada, Marcus Breitschwerdt, said, "We have great expectations for the all-new smart. It is the right product at the right time. The smart's minimal ecological footprint addresses today's environmental concerns, and it supports a socially responsible lifestyle without asking consumers to make compromises or sacrifices."
Further information about smart is available on the internet at:
