DaimlerChrysler May Drive Smart in India

Ankit Gupta - All Headline News Staff Writer
Mumbai, India (AHN) - At a mere 2.5 meters, Daimler Chrysler's Smart Car, a popular model in Europe, might drive in to India.

Though not immediately, Daimler Chrysler India says Smart will make a unique style statement. "It would be a niche application for people who have clearly defined personality, character, lifestyle," says MD and CEO of Daimler Chrysler India Wilfred Aulbur, said CNN IBN one of India's premiere news channel.

Although a final decision on India has yet to be made, it's moving into the world's largest car market, the US. It's expected there in 2008 and might cost $ 13,000. Daimler Chrysler has already lost about $ 5 billion on the smart project and will need to enter new markets now to boost volumes if it is to make it a profitable proposition.

And with crude oil prices shooting up, this fuel-efficient model might find more takers in the US now. With arch rival BMW in India, it might provide Daimler Chrysler's an advantage to have one more product on Indian roads.