Daimler to Boost Smart Brand in China

Daimler AG tells Bloomberg News it intends to broaden its lineup of Smart ForTwo city cars in China in a bid to boost sales by 15% annually.

Annette Winkler, who heads the Smart unit, says China will add the electric ForTwo and the ForFour four-passenger model currently being developed with Renault SA. The company also plans to launch its electric scooter in China.

Winkler did not say when any of the new models will debut in China. She does say Smart aims to expand its presence in the country from 88 showrooms in 68 cities today to 100 stores in 75 cities by year end.

Smart has sold more than 40,000 cars in China since April 2009, including 15,700 last year, according to Bloomberg.