BMW and DaimlerChrysler threaten legal steps if Chinese copies are shown at IAA

FRANKFURT (Thomson Financial) - Automakers Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and DaimlerChrysler AG's Smart unit are threatening legal action over alleged cheap Chinese-made knock-offs of some of their models, should the cars be presented at the international automobile fair IAA in Frankfurt reported Automobilwoche magazine.

The Chinese-made SUV CEO as well as the compact Nobel model bear significant resemblance to BMW's X5 model and the Smart For-two.

'We have already taken steps against the marketing of the CEO in Europe. Should this car be presented at the IAA, we will look into taking further legal steps,' a BMW spokesman to the magazine.

A spokesman at DaimlerChrysler (nyse: DCX - news - people ) said it would take similar steps 'should the car in fact be shown at the IAA.'

Karl Schloessl, the owner of independent importer China Automobile Deutschland said he knew nothing of the legal action, but said it might well help sales of the model.

'This discussion could be useful, as helps put our products on the same shelf with those from BMW and Smart,' he told the magazine.

Schloessl said he is planning to sell the cars with a network of up to 100 dealerships in Germany starting in October.

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BMW and DaimlerChrysler threaten legal steps if Chinese copies are shown at IAA - Forbes.com

WSJ asks Manhattanites: "What about this Smart fortwo?"

As we've been reporting, the Smart fortwo is on an American tour this summer, and Wall Street Journal writer Matt Vella recently had a chance to test one out in what might be the smart's ideal environment: New York City. The intro he gives in his WSJ piece won't be news to anyone who reads ABG regularly, so here's a snippet from Vella's personal experiences with the (I'm sure the Journal would approve if you went and read the whole thing on their site):

On a recent drive through Manhattan, however, the Smart proved sure-footed and zippy navigating the congested traffic around Wall Street. The car's 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine does a decent job of hustling the 1,653-pound car along and its rear-wheel-drive placement gives the car a sportier feel than most small economy cars.

The interior space and layout doesn't feel cramped or claustrophobic. A six-foot tall passenger had no problem getting in and out, or getting comfortable inside. Because the seats are set fairly high, occupants are at eye level with most other drivers in larger sedans.

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WSJ asks Manhattanites: "What about this Smart fortwo?" - AutoblogGreen

Smart Develops “Micro” Hybrid

Daimler's European smart brand - set for launch in theU.S. next year - has developed a gasoline/electric hybrid model to boost fuel efficiency. But there are no plans to bring it to America at the moment.

Based around the all-new fortwo city car that goes on sale in Europe next month, the two-seater eco-model will be badged the MHD, for Micro Hybrid Drive. It features stop-start technology thanks to belt-driven starter generator that cuts the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt - at traffic lights, for example.

MHD will be available as a coupe or cabriolet but only with a 71-hp engine. Fuel economy rises from 60.1 to 65.7 mpg in the EU cycle, and there's a reduction in CO₂ emissions from 112 to 103 g/km. That undercuts hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid at 104 and 109 g/km respectively, and will make it Europe's least-polluting gasoline model.

Also due next year is a fortwo with an 800-cc diesel, posting even more impressive figures of 85.6 mpg and 88 g/km of CO₂. However, there is a downside - it's not exactly what you'd call fast. The two-seater doesn't hit 60 mph for 19.8 seconds and top speed is only 84 mph.

Source:
Smart Develops “Micro” Hybrid - The Car Connection

Smart Car readies for U.S. debut

Ten years ago, Mercedes Benz introduced to Europe what a decade of innovation, experimentation and perspiration can do when directed toward a mini-compact car: the Smart Fortwo.

Now, more than 800,000 sales in 36 countries later, Fortwo, ("for two people"), is holding its American coming-out party, a 50-plus city tour that stopped this week in Pittsburgh. Test drives are being offered this weekend at Southside Works, off South 27th Street on the South Side.

The master distributor in the United States is former racing great Roger Penske. When the car becomes available in January, Mercedes-Benz of Pittsburgh, a Bobby Rahal dealership, will offer the vehicles locally.

"I believe the car, with the fuel economy that it offers, and the features that you usually don't find on a car so inexpensive, will be very popular," said Gregg Szabatura, general manager of the Mercedes-Benz dealership.

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Smart Car readies for U.S. debut - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Automakers make vehicles with power, fuel economy

Traditionally, if you could afford a well-equipped car with power to spare, you paid the price in fuel to run it. The two traveled in lockstep. Granted, we didn't mind all that much until the price of gas began to climb... and climb.

How times change.

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Automakers make vehicles with power, fuel economy | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California