Smart car sales fan the flames of desire

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2009 could prove to be a year of plenty for smart of Reading despite the doom and gloom surrounding the motor industry at present.

Berkshire’s official smart retailer is about to welcome an eagerly-anticipated diesel model - the most economical production car ever with combustion drive - that is sure to appeal to motorists in the current climate.

Left-hand drive demonstrator versions of the smart fortwo cdi are due to arrive at the Richfield Avenue site later this month ahead of the introduction of right-hand drive models later this spring. Available as a coupe or cabrio, the diesel smart returns a staggering 83.1 miles per gallon on the combined cycle and boasts the lowest CO₂ emissions of any current production model at just 88g/km.

The smart of Reading team has also been buoyed by the latest new car registration figures issued by the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT). Its statistics show smart is bucking the trend as far as sales are concerned, with the brand recording a healthy increase in registrations in December as well as 2008 as a whole.

In a declining market, smart was one of the only manufacturers to achieve a positive showing as its 2008 market share increased by 43.30 per cent on the previous year. Its registrations for December also rose by 33.50 per cent on the corresponding month in 2007.

“smart’s reputation for affordability and economy is growing and the range is being considered by an increasing number of motorists who are seeking to reduce their motoring costs,” said Paul Holt, Sales Manager at Mercedes-Benz and smart of Reading.

“Considerable interest is already being generated in the new micro hybrid drive technology, which became standard on 61hp and 71hp petrol-powered smart models late last year,” he added. “It utilises an ingenious start/stop function to offer fuel savings of 24 per cent over the previous versions.”

Paul continued: “With the imminent arrival of the diesel fortwo, we’re confident that smart will continue to attract more enquiries as the year progresses.”