Smart revealed previously this year that it will only provide electric automobiles in the United States, and dealers were asked to make decision by the end of June whether they would keep selling the brand’s pint-sized cars. As per Automotive News, over two-thirds of dealerships pulled out, leaving Smart with just 27 remaining outlets throughout the country.
During the time of the announcement, Smart had 85 dealerships in the country. Where as 27 will continue offering the Smart ForTwo, which will soon be offered in EV type only now that the gas model has been terminated, 58 will shift to service-only centers. As Automotive News explains, Smart will have fewer dealerships than both Lamborghini and Lotus.
Penske Automotive Group worked as an independent supplier for Smart vehicles in the country since 2008. Now it’s dropping Smart sales at five of its 6 outlets. Sales will keep taking place in San Diego, where purchasers are particularly into EVs.
Total sales of the ForTwo fell amid low gas costs and a growing demand amongst costumers for crossovers. In 2016, Smart only sold 6,211 ForTwos in the country, drop of 17 percent from the previous year. Throughout the first 7 months of this year, sales are decreased 30 percent from a year previously to 2,165 cars. A revamped version of the ForTwo Electric Drive will go on sale prior to the end of the summer.
Even though most of Smart car dealerships are closing down sales, these outlets will continue to service cars. The large majority of Smart operations that pulled out of offering cars are anticipated to complete the shift by the end of the year. In the meantime, the dealers will keep discharging gas-powered ForTwos until they are out of stock.
