Smart OK In Most of US | Green Energy News

November 21, 2004 – Vol.9 No.35

SMART OK IN MOST OF U.S.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given SMART-Automobile LLC (no relationship to the DaimlerChrysler “smart” division) a certificate of conformity for smart fortwo’s to meet U.S. emission standards.

With certificate in hand, the 60 mile-per-gallon cars having already met U.S. crash standards, will be able to be sold in the U.S. at least through ZAP of San Francisco, but not necessarily to residents of California or that city.

For now the cars are U.S. EPA certified for emissions, but not California, which has its own more stringent emission standards. Other states have adopted California’s standards; this could further complicate smart sales.

ZAP has signed an exclusive sales agreement with SMART-Automobile LLC for the resale of the cars though a line of dealerships that ZAP is working to build.

Though the availability of the cars in the U.S. - and their legality on the streets - will excite many smart car fans, actual ownership of one of the vehicles should be met with some caution and thought.

The cars will need repair every now an again as well as regular servicing - neither of which can be done through DaimlerChrysler or Mercedes-Benz repair shops. The warranty, too, is through SMART and ZAP, not the maker of the cars.

So, at least initially, wannabe smart car buyers should watch ZAP very closely as to how well the company strings together a dealership network.

More than likely, corporate smart is watching this launch very closely. The division is planning to sell a small smart sport utility vehicle in the near future. Conceivably if the sales of smart fortwo’s by unaffiliated dealers take off, then smart might begin selling the eight-foot long cars in the U.S. Visit ZAP at http://www.zapworld.com/ and smart at http://www.smart.com/ .