Smart USA

Smart has delivered its first electric car — and racing legend and Smart USA top dog Roger Penske delivered it personally.

The car went to Army Maj. Mindy Kimball who lives outside Washington, D.C., and is a big believer in the potential for electric cars. The car is the same as the Smart minicar on the roads already, except this one is powered by batteries that allow it to go up to 98 miles between charges. In mixed driving, it is government-rated as having a 63-mile range. About 250 of these Smart electrics are up for grabs, but the next generation won’t go widely on sale to the public until 2012.

Smart USA says Kimball chose the Smart ForTwo electric minicar after checking out alternatives. She is a member of the Electric Vehicle Association and plans to display her new car at the 2011 Washington Auto Show.

“This is a groundbreaking day for Smart in the United States,” said Smart USA CEO Jill Lajdziak. “We are extremely excited to add the Smart ForTwo electric drive to the Smart product lineup, solidifying our position as a key player in transportation electrification.”

[Source: USA Today]

Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske and smart USA President Jill Lajdziak deliver smart fortwo electric drive to Mindy Kimball of Silver Spring, MD

WASHINGTON, Jan 26, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: PAG), today delivered the first smart fortwo electric drive to a retail customer in the United States. Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske and smart USA President Jill Lajdziak made the ceremonial delivery to Mindy Kimball at her home in Silver Spring, MD.

“This is a groundbreaking day for smart in the United States,” said Lajdziak. “We are extremely excited to add the smart fortwo electric drive to the smart product lineup, solidifying our position as a key player in transportation electrification.”

Mindy Kimball is a 36-year-old early adopter of electric vehicle technology and a Major in the United States Army. Kimball chose the smart fortwo electric drive after thoroughly comparing and evaluating every electric vehicle available because she believes smart’s offering is the most modern electric car on the market. She has been a volunteer presenter with The Climate Project since 2007, educating the public about the science of climate change and the ways to reduce negative impacts on the environment. Kimball is also an active member of the Electric Vehicle Association (EVA) of Washington, DC, and she will display her new car in the EVA/DC booth at the 2011 Washington Auto Show. smart USA will have three smart fortwo electric drive vehicles at the auto show including the “Advanced Technology Superhighway” exhibit.

The smart fortwo electric drive is a zero-emission vehicle and the ultimate visual statement on conservation. It is powered by a 30 kW magneto-electric motor and 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery. According to the U.S. EPA LA4 test cycle, the smart fortwo electric drive can travel up to 98 miles on a full charge. In combined city and highway driving, the U.S. EPA estimates the range on the smart fortwo electric drive to be 63 miles. Using a 220 volt outlet, it takes only three and a half hours to charge the battery from 20 to 80 percent of its capacity and about eight hours to reach full charge from a depleted battery.

This year, smart USA is strategically placing 250 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles across the United States with companies, municipalities, organizations and individuals interested in making a passionate statement on conservation and environmental awareness. Series production on next-generation vehicles for retail sale through smart USA’s dealer network is expected in 2012.

Mindy Kimball becomes the first member of “Team 250,” an elite club, featuring a concierge service, for all smart fortwo electric drive lessees. Each Team 250 member will have personal access to smart USA’s electric drive expert, 24/7 roadside assistance, receive electric drive communications, and be able to participate in dialogue around their electric drive experience. Members of Team 250 will also have the first opportunity to move into the next-generation smart fortwo electric drive vehicle.

The smart fortwo electric drive is available for lease through participating smart USA dealership locations at www.smartusa.com/electricdrive

About the smart fortwo and smart USA

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. The smart fortwo is a brand of and is manufactured by Daimler AG. The smart fortwo and the smart fortwo electric drive form a portfolio of sustainable, forward-looking technologies for urban mobility. The smart fortwo achieves an EPA estimated 41 mpg on the highway and is an ultra-low emissions vehicle, as certified by the State of California Air Resources Board. The smart fortwo is available in three trim levels starting in price from $12,490* to $17,690*. The smart fortwo electric drive is the ultimate zero-emission visual statement on conservation and environmental awareness and is available for lease. Both vehicles measure 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide and come equipped with many functional and safety features. smart is currently sold in more than 40 other countries, and more than one million smart fortwos have been sold since 1998.

*Excludes tax, title, registration, destination charge, options and other dealer fees.

About Penske Automotive Group

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, operates 323 retail automotive franchises, representing 39 different brands and 25 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 172 franchises in 17 states and Puerto Rico and 151 franchises located outside the United States, primarily in the United Kingdom.

Penske Automotive, through its wholly-owned subsidiary smart USA Distributor LLC, is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo vehicle and related parts in the United States. smart USA supports over 75 smart retail centers in the United States and Puerto Rico. Penske Automotive is a member of the Fortune 500 and Russell 1000 and has approximately 14,100 employees. smart and fortwo are registered trademarks of Daimler AG.

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release may involve forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements regarding the anticipated availability of future products. Actual results may vary materially because of risks and uncertainties, including external factors such as consumer credit conditions, adverse conditions affecting a particular manufacturer, macro-economic factors, and other factors over which management has no control. These forward-looking statements should be evaluated together with additional information about our business, markets, conditions and other uncertainties, which could affect our future performance. These risks and uncertainties are addressed in Penske Automotive’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). This press release speaks only as of its date, and we disclaim any duty to update the information herein.

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

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[SOURCE: smart USA Distributor LLC]

smart USA
Rick Bourgoise, 248-648-2582
Director, Communications
[email protected]