DaimlerChrysler's rough breakup with Mitsubishi has had some ill-effects
on its own products. While both sides are on the eve of announcing their new compact cars, engineered and built on a common platform at this year's Frankfurt motor show, news is grim for smart. The German small car specialist will continue to build the forfour at Mitsubishi's Nedcar assembly plant in Holland, but it is doubtful if the car will survive beyond the first generation. Talks have broken down and subsequent smart-Mitsubishi designs are not expected. Production of future smart vehicles will most likely be localized at its own plant, located in northern France.
Further complicating the situation, TheCarConnection.com reports that DCX may try to kill the smart brand name completely. While this idea was visited earlier this year, it has once again surfaced with news that current CEO Jurgen Schrempp will be replaced by Dieter Zetsche later this year. The website points out that smart was Schrempp's "pet", and that
Zetsche would have "less patience with the perennial loss-making division." However, after investing millions upon millions of euro into the economy carmaker, another restructuring policy that would lump smart's development team in with M-B would be issued in order to cut costs.
In the meantime, smart will continue development of the next generation fortwo. The original design is now seven years old, and despite the addition of a convertible model, more power and a mid-life update, it is now beginning to show its edges.
DaimlerChrysler maintains that it will not abandon its quest to enter smart into the U.S. market officially, and is expected to use the second-generation fortwo to launch the brand when it does. The question now asked, is that with shrinking budgets and a CEO with little patience for money loss, will smart last until then?
photo:smart
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| smart ended production of its sporty two-seat roadster... (Photo: smart) |
Further complicating the situation, TheCarConnection.com reports that DCX may try to kill the smart brand name completely. While this idea was visited earlier this year, it has once again surfaced with news that current CEO Jurgen Schrempp will be replaced by Dieter Zetsche later this year. The website points out that smart was Schrempp's "pet", and that
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| ... and its formore compact SUV never made it past the drawing board. (Photo: smart) |
In the meantime, smart will continue development of the next generation fortwo. The original design is now seven years old, and despite the addition of a convertible model, more power and a mid-life update, it is now beginning to show its edges.
DaimlerChrysler maintains that it will not abandon its quest to enter smart into the U.S. market officially, and is expected to use the second-generation fortwo to launch the brand when it does. The question now asked, is that with shrinking budgets and a CEO with little patience for money loss, will smart last until then?
photo:smart
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