Watch CBS News

SmartUSA Plans Five-Door Model

Bloomfield Hills-based Smart USA intends to launch a five-door car on the United States market within the next 15 months, the company announced in Detroit Wednesday.

The B-segment five-door car is to be sold solely in the United States and is based on vehicle architecture from Nissan. The company said the move will allow the demand of U.S. Smart customers and dealers for a larger but "Smart-typical" car to be fulfilled soon.

"We are faced with continuing customer demand for a smart car with more seating capacity," explained Roger Penske, chairman of the Penske Automotive Group, which sells Smart cars in the U.S. "Sales and service of the five seater will be carried out exclusively by our approximately 75 smart dealerships in the United States. Together with Nissan, we will bring to market a fully equipped small car for our customers and dealers in the USA. It will fit in well with the smart brand."

The company said further details of the product and its distribution will be announced later.

More at www.smartusa.com.

(c) 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All rights reserved.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.