Smart ForTwo electric available for lease in Oct., Smart ForFour in the works
Just yesterday, we reported on news coming out of Germany that Smart is likely to sell fewer than 100,000 units in 2010, down from 114,000 in 2009. Most of that loss is coming form United States where sales are down close to 70 percent to just under 4,000 in the first 7 months of 2010.
Well, Smart is about to amp itself up to appeal to a larger market. The company is working on a ForTwo Electric that it will build with Tesla Motors. The ForTwo Electric will be powered by a battery system designed by Tesla and will be available for lease in eight U.S. markets as early as October. The 250 cars will have a five-year, $599 monthly lease. Only 50 will be leased to individuals.
The Smart ForFour that was killed in 2006 may also be resurrected. It will be built on a longer version of the ForTwo platform and is expected to be built by Renault alongside the Twingo. Sales may start in 2014.
Smart ForTwo electric-drive:
– By: Stephen Calogera
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
