New lease of life for Smart Roadster?

22 November 2005

Smart Roadster production now finished
Several companies bidding to buy production rights
DaimlerChrysler to decide on bid in early 2006

Smart Roadster Light front static medium

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Production of the Smart Roadster ended last week, but the car could live on under a new name.

Smart announced in April that its Roadster and Roadster Coupe would be axed from the range at the end of this year.

Now Project Kimber, one of the failed bidders for MG Rover, is among several companies trying to buy the production rights for the car from DaimlerChrysler and continue manufacturing it.

A decision from DaimlerChrysler is expected early in 2006, when it will become clearer when production of the two seater could restart.

Part of Project Kimber’s bid for MG Rover included a new Midget, which was to be based around the Smart Roadster. Since the consortium failed in its efforts to secure MG Rover’s Longbridge plant, it is understood that it is looking at two other potential sites where it could build the car, one of which is in the UK.