DaimlerChrysler is reported to have pushed back into 2006 a decision on whether to launch its Smart minicar brand in the United States.

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“The decision will be made only next year,” Smart spokesman Heinz Gottwick told Reuters, noting that a review of its sales and marketing network could last a few more weeks.


A decision that was originally set to be made the end of 2005 may now emerge at the Geneva car show in late February, Reuters said.


The news agency noted that DaimlerChrysler has been considering for months whether to expand the loss-making Smart brand to the US market, and has held out the prospect that the successor to the two-seat ForTwo model planned for the second half of 2007 may get a US launch.

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