Yes, the title says it all. Later this year Daimler AG will stop selling Gas-Powered smart cars in the U.S and Canada. This move by Daimler AG is to make way for full electric car models. Although it has been already predicted to happen, Mercedes-Benz dealerships confirmed the news.
"Developments within the micro-car segment present some challenges for the current Smart product portfolio. Therefore, with the launch of the fourth-generation Smart ForTwo electric drive this summer, the Smart lineup will consist exclusively of the zero-emissions Smart electric-drive coupe and Cabrio in the U.S. and Canada," Mercedes-Benz USA Chief Executive Dietmar Exler stated.
According to Car Buzz, Gas-Powered Smart Cars will cease production in North America on April but will continue to sold units until all are sold out. Meanwhile, Europe Markets will continue Gas-Powered Smart Cars production.
This plan of Daimler AG does not mean Gas-Powered Smart Cars will be gone completely in North America. The only reason why the company will focus on EV models is that of the falling sales of the two-seat Smart ForTwo.
"Smart has 85 dealers in the U.S. It's unclear whether that number will go down with the transition to electric only, Moran said," says Automotive News.
According to Rob Moran, Mercedes-Benz spokesman, the projection of the Smart sales drop steadily from the 10,453 vehicles sold in 2014 to 6,211 vehicles sold in 2016 in the U.S only. Although there is no report to compare sales of electric-driven cars, Moran said that electric vehicles accounted the 30 percent of the brand's annual sales. Currently, Smart still has the 2016 models in their inventory, and it is running on a personal promotion leasing 2016 coupes for $89 per month.
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