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April 21, 2004
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This Week:

• The Third-Generation BMW 5 Series Touring

• Mustang Returns To Road-Racing

• North American Sales Record for Porsche in March

• First smart Model for The U.S. Named 'formore'

• Mazda Records Best Quarter and Month Ever in Europe

• GM, Ford Announce $720 Million Investment To Build All-New Front-Wheel-Drive Transmission

• Michael J. Burns Named Chairman of Dana Corporation

• Volkswagen brand increases sales

• Chrysler Group Ranked Among Best for Diversity

• Rolls-Royce Celebrates 100 Years of Innovation in its Centenary Year

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First smart Model for The U.S. Named 'formore'

Unique Four-Wheel Drive SUV Arrives in 2006

smart formore - Photo: DC

With the introduction of the formore, smart will be represented in the world's largest automotive market for the first time. The smart formore will also be offered in the company's other core markets.

"The formore is the ideal model to launch the smart brand in the U.S. market," said Scott Keogh, general manager, smart USA. "We see a huge opportunity in this market for this truly distinct brand, which has the courage and resources to make a real break from conventional automotive thinking. With its unique engineering and design elements and exuberant character, the smart formore will bring the brand's core characteristics to a segment populated by 'me-too' vehicles." Keogh explained that because the formore will be unique in the U.S. market, "SUV" translates to "smart utility vehicle."

Designed specifically for the American market, the smart formore will be built in the Mercedes-Benz plant in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. The plant has a capacity of 60,000 cars per year, with half to be sold in the U.S. in the first full sales year. Currently, other smart models are built in the smartville complex in Hambach, France near the German border and at the NedCar facility in Born, Netherlands.

smart Naming Concept

With the formore, smart is following the naming plan that it began with the forfour, the brand's first four-seat model that went on sale in other markets this spring. The names describe the uses of the vehicle. From 2006, the formore will be added to the range of new smart model names, which will also include the fortwo coupe and fortwo cabrio. The smart roadster and roadster-coupe will keep their original names.

(April 14, 2004)