DaimlerChryslers smart Microcar Brand Cleared for U.S. Sales

Whats the smallest car sold in the U.S.? If the first car to pop in your head was the MINI Cooper youll need to guess again, because now that Zero Air Pollution (ZAP) has won approval to sell DaimlerChryslers smart fortwo coupe and convertible models in eight states, the MINI is no longer the most diminutive subcompact.

ZAP, a California company, which initially made its mark by purveying innovative electric vehicles, will begin selling 2005 model year smart cars immediately. Its petition for import eligibility has now been granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the first deliveries of smart cars, customized to American standards, to dealers will be underway.

The smart fortwo has been sold in Canada, through Mercedes-Benz dealers, for almost a year now, and take-up has been brisk. The tiny car delivers extremely frugal fuel economy yet surprisingly zippy performance, in a package that often brings smiles to onlookers. Unlike the sale of smart cars in the U.S., DaimlerChrysler is overseeing all aspects of the smart brand in Canada.

DaimlerChrysler chose not to introduce its smart fortwo model into the U.S. when it launched it in Canada, citing Canadians preference for smaller vehicles behind its reasoning for doing so. DaimlerChrysler initially planned on offering smart to its U.S. customers, but after canceling its compact SUV such plans were put on hold. The nameplate also canceled its roadster model earlier this year, but the four-seat forfour model, co-produced with Mitsubishi in the Netherlands, is still available in Europe and other global markets.

It is not known whether the forfour or additional models that smart will add to its lineup in future years will ever become available to U.S. customers through Mercedes-Benz dealers, but if ZAP is successful with the fortwo it is likely the larger model will follow.

The tiny smart fortwo features a rear-mounted, direct injection, turbocharged, charge air cooled 799-cc 3-cylinder common rail diesel engine made by Suprex, which produces 40-horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque available at an extremely low 1,800 to 2,800 rpm. Its extremely light curb weight of 1,631 pounds and high-tech "softip" sequential clutchless 6-speed Getrag automatic gearbox allow for adequate performance, launching from 0 to 60 mph in 19.7 seconds. Yes, its all about fuel economy.

How secure it the Santa Rosa, California companys hold on the smart franchise? ZAP has a ten-year license on the technology developed by Smart-Automobile LLC to Americanize the European-made Smart for the U.S. marketplace. In other words, dont expect DaimlerChrysler-sold smarts anytime soon.