Looks like Piaggio won’t be getting the Smart any time soon.
DaimlerChrysler has decided to keep Smart even though it received offers for the troubled small car division from at least two private equity groups, according to people close to the carmaker.
Daimler has ended the mandate of Goldman Sachs, the investment bank it hired last year to conduct the sale, suggesting it is unlikely to be restarted soon.
12. July 2006 at 5:08 pm
The Smart Cars are already available in the US from ZAP http://www.zapworld.com ZP (NYSE). A California based company who is also planning on brining a Brazilian made car to the US, the Obvio! 828, that is a hybrid that can run on any combination of ethanol and gas. Zap is also the only car company who is selling a Chinese manufactured car in the US the 100% electric Xebra city car.