Smart licenses former Roadster / Coupe models

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Smart Move?

Smart signs Memorandum of Understanding with a British consortium to redesign, produce and sell the former Roadster & Coupe models

DaimlerChrysler's struggling Smart brand signed a memorandum of understanding to licence its Roadster and Coupe derivative model to a consortium led by British businessman David James. Smart discontinued the Roadster & Roadster Coupe models last year as part of its restructuring plan, as the Swiss based company has not made a profit since its creation.

Press Release: British consortium to continue roadster model under different brand

Smart and the British consortium ‘Project Kimber’ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, 17 February 2006.

The intention of the MoU is to draw up a contract within the next few months which would give Project Kimber the licence to redesign, produce and sell the former smart models roadster and roadster-coupé under a different brand. Additionally, the MoU includes the intention to purchase production equipment for both models that is not needed by smart anymore.

In the frame of the restructuring and strategic realignment of smart, the discontinuation of production of the two models smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé was decided last year. During the Geneva Motorshow, starting next week, smart gmbh will present a final, limited special edition of the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé, named ‘collectors edition’.