Smart will decide on plans to launch electric scooters this summer
By Steph, 24 Jan, 2011. 0 Comments
Smart Escooter
The decision on whether DaimlerAG's Smart subsidiary will expand its lineup by launching an electric motorcycle and an electric scooter will be made this summer, according to the unit's boss, Annette Winkler. The decline in Smart’s car sales is likely to be a factor on whether the business case would be deemed a positive one. On the sidelines of the Detroit auto show, Winkler told Automotive News Europe that currently, the business case is looking positive. Talks are underway between Smart and potential production partners, but Winkler didn’t name the motorcycle makers that Smart is negotiating with. Smart revealed the concepts for the two-wheelers at the Paris auto show in October 2010.
For 2011, Smart predicts that sales will exceed 90,000 units, compared with 97,500 in 2010 and about 134,000 in 2008. Smart’s biggest markets were Germany, Italy, the UK, France and the U.S. In 2010, U.S. sales fell to 5,930, compared with 24,000 units in 2008, its first year of sales in the country.
It’s expected that the successor to the current Smart ForTwo two-seat minicar will start selling at the end of 2013 at the earliest. In 2014, a four-seat Smart is expected to follow. Before these however, Smart's only innovation will be a full-electric ForTwo, which is set to be launched in 2012 with anticipated sales of 10,000. Winkler said that electric Smart sales may be combined with offers. For instance, it could include the offer of renting a larger car on a short-term basis. In addition, Winkler aims to attract new customers by selling individualized ForTwo models.
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