DaimlerChrysler’s niche brand Smart, recorded its best-ever retail sales month in Australia, during November.

The record performance comes off the back of a number of recent moves to lift Smart sales in Australia, including the release of the new four-door Smart, the Smart Forfour and price re-positioning of the model range incorporating 2005 tariff reductions.

Customer deliveries totalled 47 for the month of November, including 13 Smart Forfours, 13 roadsters, 12 Fortwo coupés and nine Fortwo cabrios.

November retail sales were higher than the previous retail record, set in October (43 units).

The Sydney market led the charge in November accounting for just under half of all Smart sales.

To achieve its 2005 sales forecast, the brand is targeting total sales of 50 units per month next year.

“The sales development of Smart in the last two months is extremely positive,” said Horst von Sanden, managing director of the Mercedes Car Group for Australia/Pacific.

“The introduction of the new Smart Forfour and a number of other sales related initiatives are together boosting showroom traffic and leading to an increase in our customer deliveries.

“Quite a few customers have placed orders for the new Smart Forfour and we are looking forward to fulfilling these orders over the coming weeks and further boosting the brand’s sales performance in Australia,” said von Sanden.

This week Smart launched its new Smart tower concept, an Australian take on the iconic towers that are common at European Smart dealerships.

The presence marketing initiative kicked off at Melbourne’s newest and most exciting retail development in Melbourne, QV.

This 12 metre high, 10-tonne galvanised steel sculpture can be set up or dismantled within two hours and consists of an amazing vertical stack of six Smart Fortwo coupés, towering towards the sky.

The Smart model range starts from $19,900 for the Smart Fortwo coupé. The 2.5-metre Smart has been hailed by the Australian Government as Australia’s “greenest” car, whilst leading insurer NRMA has dubbed it Australia’s cheapest car to repair.

The new Smart Forfour is available from $23,900, combining premium technology with compact vehicle dimensions, emotion with Smart functionality and dynamic fun behind the wheel with the high safety standards of Mercedes-Benz.

The Smart roadster, an ideal car for wind-in-the-hair summer fun is available from $34,900 and recently swept the competition aside stealing the Auto Express ‘Best Roadster’ title for the second year running.

The Smart range of vehicles is available from selected authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers.

New South Wales

• McIntosh of Mosman - 430 Military Road, Mosman - 02 9908 8888
• Marshalls Motors - Cnr. Church & Meehan Streets, Parramatta - 02 9897 1777
• Sanderson Motors - 82 McLachlan Avenue, Rushcutters Bay - 02 8354 5200
• Smart Centre Sydney (Mercedes-Benz of Sydney) - Cnr. Elizabeth Street & Joynton Avenue, Zetland - 02 9697 7800

Victoria

• Geelong City Motors - 1 Settlement Road, Belmont - 03 5244 3000
• Smart Centre Melbourne (Mercedes-Benz of Melbourne) - 252 Sturt Street, Southbank - 03 9698 1175
• Worrells - 11 Carters Avenue, Toorak - 03 9826 0336

Queensland

• Garry Crick Auto Group - Lot 4, Lionel Donovan Drive, Noosaville - 07 5440 3600
• Grand Motors Prestige - 265 Ferry Road, Southport - 07 5583 6555
• Smart Centre Brisbane (Mercedes-Benz of Brisbane) - 365 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley - 07 3251 6677

Western Australia

• Diesel Motors - 1087-1093 Albany Highway, Bentley - 08 9351 3888

South Australia

• BEA Motors - 191 Gouger Street, Adelaide - 08 8231 0500