Jill Lajdziak deliver smart fortwo electric drive to Mindy Kimball of Silver Spring, MD
Washington, DC (January 26, 2011) – 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
-moremaking 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 http://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-
-morelooking 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
No comments:
Post a Comment