Smart in Japan

The Smart two-seater town car made by Daimler-Chrysler has recently been launched in Japan. Marketed as a chic form of basic transport the car is manufactured at "Smartville" near Hambach, eastern France, close to the German border. On a factory visit in the summer they proved to be a friendly bunch - check out their website here.

I saw a Smart car on my recent visit to Macau so they are spreading far and wide and with plans for a two-seat sportscar and a four-seater compact Z-car this is one brand we will be hearing a lot more about.