Smart goes 'climate neutral'
smart is targeting environmentally-aware buyers with an innovative green program...Buyers of the smart brand of vehicles will soon be able to boast of their green credentials following an unprecedented move by the importer.
Parent brand, DaimlerChrysler announced recently that it would enrol each smart it sells into the new owner's choice of independent 'climate neutral' greenhouse-gas targeting programs.
From March 1, every new smart purchased will come with a membership to the company’s “Carbon Zero” program. Customers can then choose between two different types of independent Australian climate neutral programs designed to offset the carbon dioxide outpt of there new cars. Based on customer preference the program will plant enough trees or wind generators to neutralise the emissions of the vehicle through Greenfleet or Climate Friendly respectively.
While the minimalist (and space-conscious) smart cars have alway had a 'green' tinge, the company has gone on record as ready to become the first automotive brand in Australia to embrace climate neutral initiatives for all its drivers.
“Australians are catching on to the merits of climate neutral programs and thinking more about their own environmental impact every day,” said Sam Tabart, senior manager responsible for the smart brand in Australia.
“smart is always looking for ways to support the protection of the environment... Therefore it makes sense to build on the innovative ideas of organisations such as Climate Friendly and Greenfleet to provide customers with the ultimate way to neutralise the environmental impact of their driving," he said.
Upon purchase of their new vehicle smart customers will receive an information pack welcoming them to the Carbon Zero program. They will be offered the choice of the Climate Friendly clean energy projects or the Greenfleet tree-planting scheme.
Though the 'climate neutral' program will not affect sales results until March, smart has already kicked off 2006 in fine fettle. After a record 2005, the brand's sales for January were up 64 per cent to a new monthly record of 112 units.
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