smart

Total of 22,121 Units of Mercedes-Benz Cars Division Sold in U.S.

NEW YORK, July 1, 2008 -- Daimler AG (stock exchange abbreviation DAI) today reported sales for the Mercedes-Benz Cars division (Mercedes-Benz and smart combined) of 22,121 units in the U.S. for June 2008. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.

2008 smart fortwo

Highlights:
- Mercedes-Benz USA Records June Sales of 19,576
- smart USA Records 2,545 Sales in June

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today reported sales of 19,576 new vehicles for June 2008, bringing the year-to-date total to 119,279 units, marking the best first-half sales in the company's history.

Diminutive two-seater earns top ratings for protecting people in front & side crashes

ARLINGTON, VA, May 14, 2008 — The Smart car is getting a lot of attention for its small size and style, and now it's earning impressive crash test ratings. In recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests, the 2008 Smart Fortwo, the smallest car for sale in the US market, earned the top rating of good for front and side crash protection. Its seat/head restraints earned the second highest rating of acceptable for protection against whiplash in rear impacts.

- Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest First Quarter Sales
- smart fortwo Sales Continue to Increase

NEW YORK, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ -- Daimler AG (NYSE:DAI) today reported total group sales (Mercedes-Benz and smart combined) of 22,542 passenger vehicles in the U.S. for March 2008. All sales figures in this release are on an unadjusted basis unless otherwise noted.

New smart edition at the Geneva Motor Show

Geneva -- Mar 04, 2008 -- At the 78th International Motor Show in Geneva a further special edition of the successful smart fortwo is celebrating its world premiere. The "edition limited two" will be produced as a limited series of 2000 vehicles and is characterised by exclusive colouring and a high quality mix of materials - on both the outside and the inside.

smart edition limited two

Net profit of €4.0 billion (2006: €3.8 billion); Earnings per share of €3.83 (2006: €3.66)

Stuttgart -- Feb 14, 2008 -- Daimler AG (stock abbreviation DAI) today presented its preliminary and unaudited figures for the Group and the divisions for the 2007 financial year.

Daimler achieved EBIT of €8,710 million in 2007 (2006: €4,992 million), surpassing the earnings target of at least €8.5 billion that had previously been announced for the year 2007.

Stuttgart -- Feb 06, 2008 -- The German “Öko-Trend” environmental research institute has awarded its environmental certificate for cars to the smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd). In extensive analyses by experts from the Wuppertal-based independent institute the smart fortwo mhd scored top marks for all environment-related criteria.

According to the institute’s findings, the 52 kW (71 bhp) petrol variant which has been available in certain markets since October 2007 scores excellent ratings in terms of fuel consumption, exhaust and noise emissions. The manufacturer’s ecological credentials are also found to be exemplary with regard to production, procurement, logistics and recycling.

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.

Detroit -- The smart fortwo is celebrating its launch to the world’s largest automobile market in Detroit .The shortest and most compact automobile currently in production is scheduled to roll on the streets of America this month.

The smart fortwo is the right car, at the right time for U.S. Drivers. Americans are faced with volatile fuel prices, increased urban congestion and a mindset of environmental responsibility.

2008 smart fortwo

The smart fortwo offers a high level of comfort, agility, safety and ecology. Its unique features and attributes meet consumer wishes now and well into the 21st century.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Maybach, and smart brands up two percent, totaling 1,285,900 passenger vehicles

Stuttgart -- Jan 08, 2008 -- Stuttgart – In 2007 the Mercedes-Benz Cars division increased sales of Mercedes-Benz, AMG, Maybach, and smart passenger vehicles worldwide, with sales totaling 1,285,900 vehicles (2006: 1,260,600 units). With this two percent growth, the division set a new sales record.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “Our current models are drawing a very positive customer response. In 2007 we succeeded in laying the groundwork for sustainable, profitable growth, particularly with the market launches of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the new smart fortwo.“

Stuttgart/Washington, D.C. -- Dec 04, 2007 -- At a traditional luncheon with prominent speakers hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, Daimler Chairman Dr. Dieter Zetsche today presented the smart fortwo to representatives of U.S. businesses and government as an environmentally friendly solution for future mobility. Starting in January, the compact model, which has already been very successful in Europe with about 850,000 units sold, will also be available in the U.S.

2008 smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd)

Stuttgart -- Nov 28, 2007 -- On a long journey of 1,000 km the Italian car magazine “Quattroruote” measured the fuel consumption of the smart fortwo cdi and confirmed the standard consumption of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The current December issue of the magazine carries a report of the test drive. The smart travelled 1,000 kilometres from Rome to Salzburgon a single tank

2007 smart fortwo coupe

of fuel to see whether the stated standard consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres could really be achieved.

Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH has numerous unusual and practical ideas in store that are in tune with the special attitude to life of smart customers. As the cold season gets into gear, winter, wind and weather-resistant accessories take centre stage. The products range from robust sports and travel bags with cult appeal to designer items that are suitable for any weather and a practical multi-functional box.

smart accessories - snow chains

San Francisco and Silicon Valley become “smart Valley” as the smart USA Media Test Drive event takes place in one of America’s “smartest” regions. The new smart fortwo is scheduled to roll on the streets of America in January. The shortest and most compact automobile currently in production will soon be launched in the world’s largest automobile market.

2007 smart fortwo

Oct 10, 2007 -- Venice Beach/Los Angeles, CA. An exclusive studio building on Abbot Kinney Boulevard will be transformed into the “smart house” for four months starting October 11, 2007, serving as the springboard for the US market launch of the smart car. smart has begun preparations in the heart of the hip Venice Beach district, setting up a temporary showroom to demonstrate to customers, journalists and VIPs that the smart fortwo is much more than just an economical, compact, and safe automobile.

2008 smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd)

* Sales of Mercedes-Benz brand vehicles increase seven percent to highest level ever for September
* 13 percent growth for Mercedes-Benz in the U.S.
* smart fortwo records best sales result for September

Less petrol, less CO2, more comfort, more equipment

Stuttgart -- Sep 06, 2007 -- smart will be launching an exclusive special model to mark the production start of the new smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd). Its tridion safety cell gleams in silver, the bodypanels shine in brilliant crystal white and the charming two-seater zips along on stylish nine-spoke alloy wheels.

2008 smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd)

Equipped with the new start/stop function, the new model consumes 8 percent less fuel in the combined cycle, and 19 percent less fuel in urban traffic. Like the other smart fortwo micro hybrid drive models, the exclusive edition can be ordered now.

The new 2007 smart fortwo is the consistent evolution of a car that is unrivalled in terms of shape, use and nature. Launched on the market in 1998, the first generation of the smart achieved cult status in a very short space of time. The smart fortwo sets standards in its class in terms of comfort, agility, safety and environmental friendliness.

2007 smart fortwo

* Two billion people join smart to enjoy Live Earth
* Musicians transported by the C02 world champion smart fortwo, and low-emission Mercedes-Benz fleet
* Three charity smart fortwo models in New York, London, and Hamburg bearing musicians' autographs for climate protection project

Stuttgart, July 9, 2007 – The Live Earth concerts on July 7, 2007, in which smart was involved as an international partner, thrilled more than two billion people around the globe. Listeners all over the world were able to experience the live concerts, which were staged for 24 hours on behalf of climate protection, either live or via TV, Internet or radio. smart supported the concert series by providing the official shuttle service for the musicians. All of the musicians, including Madonna, Sting, Phil Collins, and Shakira, used their public appearances to declare their commitment to climate protection and chose extremely climate-friendly modes of transport to get to their respective concerts.

The CO2 champion - a masterpiece of engine development

Stuttgart, July 06, 2007 -- With the development of the world's smallest direct-injection diesel engine, smart has produced a masterpiece of engine development that earns the new smart fortwo cdi the distinction of the world's most economical production car with combustion drive. The 33 kW/45 bhp two-door car consumes just 3.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC), which means that it can travel approximately 1000 kilometres without refuelling. Emitting just 88 grams of CO2 per kilometre, the smart fortwo diesel is the world champion in low CO2 emissions.

State-of-the-art common-rail direct injection enables a combustion process that is even more efficient than that of the well-proven cdi engine from the pre-decessor model . High injection pressure of up to 1600 bar (previously 1350 bar) is built up, even at low revs, and the fuel is injected into the combustion chambers with newly developed seven-hole injectors. The power and torque have each improved by 10 percent. At the same time, fuel consumption is reduced by 13 percent. Depending on the driving situation and engine load, up to 60 percent of the previously cooled exhaust gases are returned to the combustion chambers.

* The biggest music event of all time launches tomorrow
* smart is the official partner of all eight concerts
* Artists to be driven to stage in smart fortwo
* In Germany, the following artists are to perform: Chris Cornell, Enrique Iglesias, Jan Delay, Juli, Katie Melua, Lotto King Karl, Mando Diao, Maria Mena, MIA., Michael Mittermeier, Reamonn, Revolverheld, Roger Cicero, Samy Deluxe, Sasha, Shakira, Silbermond, Snoop Dogg and Stefan Gwildis

Stuttgart, July 06, 2007 -- The countdown for the world’s largest fund raising event in pop and rock music history has begun: Tomorrow afternoon, the Live Earth concerts against global warming are to start and offer life music for a period of 24 hours across eight cities and on all continents. From Bon Jovi and Genesis over Jennifer Lopez and Madonna to Shakira and The Police – more than 100 top international acts are to mobilise against the threat of climate change for 24 hours. With smart, DaimlerChrysler is the only car manufacturer to support the “Save Our Selves – SOS” initiative launched by Kevin Wall and Al Gore and is the official partner of all eight concerts. smart is accompanying the climate protection initiative with a range of activities and is providing the official shuttle service for the concerts.

“We care” – this is the motto the automobile manufacturer is using in its support for the climate protection initiative. “In environmental protection what matters most is what people do as individuals. It's about making conscious decisions and asking questions about specific matters. Initiating this movement is the fundamental idea of the smart brand. smart came about because we asked ourselves what the car of the future should look like – how much space it can take up in our cities and how fast it should be able to drive, what kind of stress can it place on the environment. For this reason it is simply consistent that we are committing ourselves to an event such as Live Earth,” said Dieter Zetsche, CEO of DaimlerChrysler AG and head of the Mercedes Car Group.