smart ab 2003 auch in Australien (englischer Text)

[Elmar]

Smart cars set for our roads
August 16, 2002

MERCEDES Benz will introduce its answer to congested inner-city transport, the tiny Smart cars, to the Australian market next year.

The company believes it can sell 200 of the funky vehicles in the first 12 months and eventually increase demand to 1000 after expanding the model range.

The tiny cars, designed for economical urban transport, have been a big hit since being released in Europe in 1998.

Matthias Luhrs, the managing director for Smart cars in Australia, said market research indicated there was already a strong awareness of the new vehicles among local customers.

"Measuring just 2.5-metres in length, Smart is the perfect fit for urban individualists who value their lifestyle as well as the time it takes them to find a parking space in our increasingly congested cities," he said.

"We expect the Smart to address a broad target group centred on singles and so called dinks, or double income no kids.

"Families will also consider the Smart as a second or third vehicle and it will appeal to older citizens who are still young at heart."

Two models will be introduced next year, the city-coupe and the cabriolet, with others to come later including a roadster and a four-seater.

They will be sold from dealerships in Melbourne and Sydney, with other outlets to be added across the country as demand rises.

Standard features include electronic traction control, a glass roof with sunscreen, leather steering wheel, anti-lock brakes, front airbags, remote central locking, power windows, airconditioning, compact disc player and alloy wheels.

The outer skin of the car consists of flexible body panels made from coloured thermoplastic, which are 100-per cent recyclable.

Mercedes Benz said the coupe would retail for under $25,000 and the cabriolet for under $30,000.

The company last year sold 116,162 Smart cars in 14 countries, with Germany and Italy the strongest markets.

Quelle: APP/news.com.au

Deutsche Übersetzung via AltaVista Babelfish :)

[ Diese Nachricht wurde editiert von Elmar am 17.08.2002 um 06:33 Uhr ]