ZAP has received a 100-unit block purchase order for Smart ForTwo cars from a US automotive dealer.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
ZAP will not announce the name of the dealer until the cars are ready to be sold to the general public, but is in discussion with a number of government and corporate fleets as well as automotive wholesale dealers for purchase orders of 100 or more cars, up to 15,000, by December 31, 2004 due to US small manufacturers limitations.
ZAP unveiled the Smart to US consumers last week at the San Francisco International Auto Show, announcing that the Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Letter of Conformity for the 60-mpg car.
This regulatory approval clears the way for ZAP to begin organising US marketing and distribution. ZAP has an exclusive distribution contract with Smart-Automobile LLC for the rights to sell the cars in the United States with a near-term goal of 150 dealer outlets by second quarter of fiscal 2005.
Smart-Automobiles LLC is an independent, privately-held company that oversees the direct importation and modification of automobiles to meet US standards.
