smart fortwo to Debut at U.S. Dealerships Beginning January

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smart USA Announces U.S. Dealer Network

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Jan 14, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG), is pleased to announce its dealership network of 74 smart dealerships across the United States. In the U.S., 68 dealers located in 31 states have been certified by smart USA as ready for business and are expected to begin retailing vehicles in January, subject to licensing and other required approvals. The remaining six dealerships are expected to commence retailing vehicles throughout 2008 upon completion of their facilities and obtaining licensing approval.

"We carefully selected dealers across the country who can best represent the smart brand," said Dave Schembri, president of smart USA. "Each dealer participated in our detailed qualification process, including an assessment of reputation for exceptional customer care. We are very pleased with our dealership network and we welcome our dealers to the smart family."

smart USA dealerships will be branded as "smart center" with the city name (for example - the dealership in Beverly Hills, California will be called - smart center Beverly Hills). The exterior will feature a distinctive black facade with a dramatic entrance featuring the smart logo overhead. Each showroom will showcase multiple vehicles and will sport the brand's signature black, yellow and white logo colors. The ceiling, walls and floor will be brilliant white so the cars are the center of attention on the showroom floor. Other dealership features include open sales consultation stations, a tridion safety cell and a smart boutique where customers may purchase the latest in smart merchandise.

Dealers will sell three trim levels of the smart fortwo. The pure coupe will retail starting at $11,590(a), the passion coupe will retail starting at $13,590(a) and the well-equipped passion cabriolet will retail starting at $16,590(a). Complete information about pricing, standard equipment and options can be found at www.smartusa.com.

Anticipated opening dates for authorized smart USA dealerships are indicated below and are subject to change. An updated list of authorized dealerships can be found on the company's website at www.smartusa.com. Please contact each individual dealership for additional information, including exact opening dates.

(a) Expected prices exclude tax, license, registration, destination charge and options.

Dealer Contact Names and Numbers are for PRESS only - not for public information.

Official smart USA Dealers

State Dealership Name and City Location Market
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Arizona smart center Chandler - Approx. Phoenix
opening date mid-January
7450 West Orchid Lane
Chandler, AZ 85226
Tracy Gurnett
(480) 421-4341

California smart center Beverly Hills - Los Angeles
Approx. opening date mid-January
9250 Beverly Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Vinnie Mandzak
(310) 248-4219

smart center Santa Barbara - Los Angeles
Approx. opening date mid-January
401 S. Hope Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Duane Sanders
(805) 563-4206

smart center Laguna Niguel - Los Angeles
Approx. opening date mid-January
One Star Drive
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Mark Derengowski
(949) 347-7627

smart center West Covina - Los Angeles
Approx. opening date mid-January
2010 East Garvey Avenue South
West Covina, CA 91791
Verone Pangilinan
(626) 430-3710

smart center Riverside - Approx. Los Angeles
opening date mid-January
8505 Indiana Avenue
Riverside, CA 92504
Steve Kienle
(951) 688-3332

smart center Universal City - Los Angeles
Approx. opening date mid-January
4227 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91603
Ken Crossman
(818) 762-7875

smart center Sacramento - Approx. Sacramento
opening date mid-January
2625 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
Richard Niello
(916) 643-7300

smart center San Francisco - San Francisco
Approx. opening date mid-January
500 8th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Ash Zaki
(415) 553-4268

smart center San Jose - Approx. San Jose
opening date mid-January
3940 Stevens Creek Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95129
David Meese
(408) 247-9034

smart center San Diego - Approx. San Diego
opening date mid-January
4750 Kearny Mesa Road
San Diego, CA 92111
Paul Ramplin
(858) 569-6900

Colorado smart center Denver - Approx. Denver
opening date in February
2855 S. Broadway
Englewood, CO 80113
Trang Hamm
(503) 372-7539

Connecticut smart center Hartford - Approx. Hartford
opening date mid-January
650 Connecticut Blvd.
East Hartford, CT 06108
Kevin Warriner
(860) 290-6134

smart center Fairfield - Approx. Fairfield
opening date mid-January
80 Commerce Drive
Fairfield, CT 06825
Randall Seymore
(203) 368-6725

Florida smart center Jacksonville - Jacksonville
Approx. opening date mid-January
7018 Blanding Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32244
Timothy O'Sullivan
(904) 726-3359

smart center Sarasota - Approx. Sarasota/Ft. Myers
opening date mid-January
4821 Clark Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
Wade Tucker
(941) 924-3019

smart center Weston - Approx. South Florida
opening date mid-January
3500 Weston Road
Davie, FL 33331
Rick Case
(954) 377-7400

smart center Palm Beach - Approx. South Florida
opening date mid-January
3974 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
Brian Sattar
(561) 248-1186

smart center Coral Gables - South Florida
Approx. opening date in February
272 Valencia Ave.
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Denie Freyer
(305) 445-8593 x477

smart center Tampa Bay - Approx. Tampa/Clearwater
opening date in
February
3800 W Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL 33614
Frank Cuteri
(813) 870-0010

smart center Clearwater - Approx. Tampa/Clearwater
opening date in
February
19820 US 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33764
Philip Lokey
(727) 432-1122

smart center Orlando - Approx. Orlando
opening date mid-January
8675 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819
Julie Morelli
(407) 992-3250

Georgia smart center Buckhead - Approx. Atlanta
opening date February
2799 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
Grene Baranco
(404) 846-3500

Illinois smart center Lake Bluff - Approx. Chicago
opening date mid-January
775 Rockland Road
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
Barry Taylor
(847) 283-8256

smart center Lincolnwood - Chicago
Approx. opening date mid-January
4255 West Touhy Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
Josh Dreyer
(847) 933-7823

Indiana smart center Indianapolis - Indianapolis
Approx. opening date mid-January
4000 East 96th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Linda Pettenaro
(317) 580-6801

Kansas smart center Merriam - Approx. Kansas City
opening date mid-January
9400 West 65th Street
Merriam, KS 66203
Marion Battaglia
(913) 677-3300

Kentucky smart center Louisville - Approx. Louisville
opening date mid-January
2400 Blankenbaker Parkway
Louisville, KY 40299
Dick Swope
(502) 499-5006

Maryland smart center Germantown - Approx. Washington, D.C.
opening date mid-January
19750 Germantown Road
Germantown, MD 20874
Farokh Bagha
(301) 601-5573

smart center Annapolis - Approx. Baltimore
opening date mid-January
324 Sixth Street
Annapolis, MD 21403
Brian Fader
(443) 875-0444

Massachusetts smart center Boston - Approx. Boston
opening date mid-January
259 McGrath Highway
Somerville, MA 02145
Jeff Davis
(617) 666-4100

smart center Lynnfield - Approx. Boston
opening date mid-January
385 Broadway
Lynnfield, MA 01940
Jeff Davis
(617) 666-4100

Michigan smart center Bloomfield - Approx. Detroit
opening date mid-January
1765 S. Telegraph
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Joe Ziniti
(248) 648-2453

Minnesota smart center Bloomington - Minneapolis/St. Paul
Approx. opening date mid-January
8033 Knox Avenue
Bloomington, MN 55431
Gene Backer
(952) 837-6363

Missouri smart center Creve Coeur - St. Louis
Approx. opening date mid-January
11830 Olive St. Rd.
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Glenn Boland
(314) 919-8002

Nebraska smart center La Vista - Approx. Omaha
opening date mid-January
7010 S. 124th Circle
LaVista, NE 68128
Tyrone Williams
(402) 339-3131

New Jersey smart center Englewood - Approx. New York City
opening date mid-January
24 Grand Avenue
Englewood, NJ 07631
Joseph Agresta Jr.
(201) 567-1400

smart center Edison - Approx. New York City
opening date mid-January
910 U.S. Route One
Edison, NJ 08817
Doug Wells
(732) 549-6600

smart center Cherry Hill - Philadelphia
Approx. opening date mid-January
2151 Rte 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Mike Hartung
(856) 663-3200

New Mexico smart center Albuquerque - Albuquerque
Approx. opening date mid-January
1220 Renaissance NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Carlos Garcia
(505) 999-2500

New York smart center Latham - Approx. Albany/Schenectady
opening date mid-January
1111 Troy-Schenectady Road
Latham, NY 12110
Maria Dunning
(518) 724-1015 x124

smart center Buffalo - Approx. Buffalo
opening date mid-January
8185 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Brooke Arber
(716) 633-0088

smart center Manhattan - Approx. New York City
opening date mid-January
536 W. 41 Street
New York, NY 10036
Blair Creed
(212) 629-1610

smart center Roslyn - Approx. New York City
opening date mid-January
1600 Northern Blvd.
Roslyn, NY 11576
Joe Stanco
(516) 625-1600

smart center White Plains - New York City
Approx. opening date mid-January
460 Tarrytown Road
White Plains, NY 10607
Jack Calamusa
(917) 817-7944

smart center Smithtown - Approx. New York City
opening date mid-January
463 Middle Country Rd.
St. James, NY 11780
Nancy Buzzetta
(631) 265-2204

North Carolina smart center South Charlotte - Charlotte
Approx. opening date mid-January
950 N. Polk Street
Pineville, NC 28134
Karen McKemie
(704) 889-4455

smart center Cary - Approx. Raleigh
opening date mid-January
2400 Auto Park Blvd.
Cary, NC 27511
Keith Elks
(919) 876-5432

smart center Winston-Salem - Winston-Salem
Approx. opening date mid-January
691 Jonestown Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Tim Cooper
(336) 760-4580

Ohio smart center Bedford - Approx. Cleveland
opening date mid-January
99 Broadway
Bedford, OH 44146
Jed Hunter
(440) 359-1560

smart center Easton - Approx. Columbus
opening date February
4300 Morse Crossing
Columbus, OH 43219
Brian Kramer
(614) 291-2007

Oklahoma smart center Tulsa - Approx. Tulsa
opening date mid-January
9393 S. Memorial
Tulsa, OK 74133
Greg Kach
(918) 249-9393

Oregon smart center Portland - Approx. Portland
opening date mid-January
9215 SW Canyon Road
Portland, OR 97225
Trang Hamm
(503) 372-7539

Pennsylvania smart center Devon - Approx. Philadelphia
opening date mid-January
215 West Lancaster Avenue
Devon, PA 19333
Tom Lathbury
(610) 848-7627

smart center Pittsburgh - Approx. Pittsburgh
opening date mid-January
4709 Baum Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Gregg Szabatura
(412) 683-5000

Rhode Island smart center Warwick - Approx. Providence
opening date mid-January
1557 Bald Hill Road - 2nd Floor
Warwick, RI 02886
Marcel Valois
(401) 824-2252

Tennessee smart center Knoxville - Approx. Knoxville
opening date mid-January
10131 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37922
Bill Priddy
(865) 777-2222

Texas smart center Dallas - Approx. Dallas
opening date mid-January
6113 Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, TX 75209
Ken Schnitzer
(214) 443-8211

smart center San Antonio - San Antonio
Approx. opening date mid-January
10739 I-H 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78230
April Ancira
(210) 558-1500

smart center Sugar Land - Approx. Houston
opening date mid-January
15625 SW Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77478
James Sparks
(281) 207-1550

smart center Houston North - Houston
Approx. opening date mid-January
17510 I-45 North
Houston, TX 77090
Daniel Agnew
(972) 628-4652

smart center Round Rock - Approx. Austin
opening date mid-January
2132 North Mays - Suite 930
Round Rock, TX 78664
Cathy Cour
(512) 493-9122

Utah smart center Lindon - Approx. Salt Lake City
opening date in February
530 S. Lindon Park Drive
Lindon, UT 84042
Curtis Sampson
(801) 222-4400

Virginia smart center Tysons Corner - Washington D.C.
Approx. opening date mid-January
8601 Westwood Center Dr.
Vienna, VA 22182
Bob Farrell
(703) 564-6400
Dealership Name and City Location

smart center Alexandria - Approx. Washington D.C.
opening date mid-January
1605 Fern Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Michael Lindsay
(703) 647-1276

smart center Virginia Beach - Washington D.C.
Approx. opening date in February
5193 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Stephen Snyder
(757) 490-1111 x2080

Washington smart center Seattle - Approx. Seattle
opening date mid-January
311 Baker Boulevard
Seattle, WA 98188
Ethan Smith
(206) 243-1455

Wisconsin smart center Milwaukee - Approx. Milwaukee
opening date mid-January
11340 West Metro Blvd.
Neenah, WI 53224
John Hogerty
(920) 725-4444
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Expected smart center Locations

State Serving the Market of... Projected Opening
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Alabama Birmingham Second Quarter 2008

California Torrance Second Quarter 2008
San Rafael Fourth Quarter 2008

Mississippi Jackson Second Quarter 2008

Nevada Las Vegas Third Quarter 2008

South Carolina Charleston Second Quarter 2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------

ABOUT the smart fortwo and smart USA

The smart fortwo is manufactured by the Mercedes-Benz Cars and is a Daimler brand. This technologically advanced vehicle achieves 40-plus mpg on the highway and is an ultra-low emissions vehicle. The vehicle is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide and comes equipped with many functional and safety features found in most luxury models. smart is currently sold in 36 countries, and more than 850,000 smart fortwos have been sold since 1998.

The smart fortwo is available in three trim levels. The entry-level pure will start at $11,590(b), manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), with standard convenience features such as a 5-speed automated manual transmission with manual or automatic mode, central remote locking system, 2-spoke leather steering wheel, and a radio-ready console. The well-equipped passion coupe, expected to start at $13,590(b) MSRP, includes all the standard features described on the pure, plus a panorama roof, alloy wheels, air conditioning with climate control, 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with shift paddles, power windows, electric and heated side mirrors, and an AM/FM radio with CD player, all standard. Those seeking top-down excitement can choose the passion cabriolet, planned to start at $16,590(b) MSRP, with a standard upgraded radio and sound system that includes an mp3 compatible in-dash 6 CD changer.

Each vehicle features the two-color concept characteristic of the smart brand. All models come standard with a black tridion safety cell that can be upgraded to metallic silver at an additional cost. The changeable body panels are available in six colors - deep black, light yellow and crystal white are standard, while blue metallic, red metallic and silver metallic are offered for an additional charge.

smart USA Distributor LLC, headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto Rico and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc.

(b) Expected prices exclude tax, license, registration, destination charge and options.

ABOUT PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 314 retail automotive franchises, representing 40 different brands, and 26 collision repair centers. Penske Automotive, which sells new and previously owned vehicles, finance and insurance products and replacement parts, and offers maintenance and repair services on all brands it represents, has 170 franchises in 18 states and Puerto Rico and 144 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom. Penske Automotive is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has 16,000 employees.

Statements in this press release may involve forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary materially because of risks and uncertainties, including production delays, licensing delays, delays in developing a dealership network and external factors such as interest rate fluctuations, changes in consumer spending and other factors over which management has no control. These forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with additional information about Penske Automotive Group's business, markets, conditions and other uncertainties that could affect Penske Automotive Group's future performance, which are contained in Penske Automotive Group's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and which are incorporated into this press release by reference.

For additional information, visit www.smartusa.com or www.penskeautomotive.com

SOURCE: smart USA

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