smart USA plans to launch five-door model

One of the world's smallest cars will soon get a big sister.  smart USA, which currently markets the fortwo micro car, plans to introduce a five-door model to the American in the next 15 months.  The announcement was made today in Detroit.

Roger Penske

This will be quite a leap for smart which is known for tiny vehicles, large on efficiency.  "We are faced with continuing customer demand for a smart car with more seating capacity," explained Penske Automotive Group Chairman Roger Penske.  To meet that demand, smart will partner with Nissan to build the B-segment five-door car on architecture from the Japanese automaker.  The new model will only be sold in the United States.

Next Generation Mercedes-Benz CLS

Second generation Mercedes-Benz CLS (European Model)
Photo Credit: Mercedes-Benz

The revolutionary Mercedes-Benz CLS gets its first major redesign since being introduced in 2003.  The production version of the second generation CLS was recently unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.  Mercedes-Benz calls the new CLS "refined sportiness" citing a new design language, more efficiency and more safety among other features.

Mercedes created a new category when it introduced the CLS, combining the sportiness and elegance of a coupe with the comfort and functionality of a sedan.  The German automaker has sold approximately 170,000 CLS models globally.