FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heather Habelka, Office of the Mayor, 203.385.4001

Mayor Miron Unveils Town’s New Smart ForTwo Cars as Part of Stratford's Alternative Fuel, High Efficiency & Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Program

Stratford, Connecticut (October 21, 2008) – As part of the Town’s Alternative Fuel, High Efficiency & Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Program, Mayor James R. Miron today unveiled the Town’s five new smart fortwo cars.

Staff from the Assessor’s Office, the Health Department and the Engineering Department will use the smart fortwo cars.

“The purchase of these five smart fortwo cars is part of Stratford's Alternative Fuel, High Efficiency & Hybrid-Electric Vehicle Program, which requires all Town vehicles to be Alternative Fuel, High Efficiency or Hybrid-Electric,” said Mayor Miron. "For years, the Town has operated without a comprehensive written fleet vehicle management plan, and I am proud that not only has my administration put together a sound, fiscally prudent fleet vehicle management plan, but the plan has an emphasis on protecting our environment."

The cost of the five smart fortwo cars totals $76,235, and will be financed over a period of a five-year lease. After the five-year lease period, the Town can purchase each car for $1.

The smart fortwo is one of the most economical cars on U.S. roads today, ranked the third most fuel efficient car in the US. The smart fortwo averages 33/41 miles to the gallon (city/highway) according to 2008 EPA ratings. The car is designed with a high level of safety and technology, and has been subjected to extensive crash and safety tests, including those administered by the National Highway Traffice Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to support this initiative,” said Emily Williams, smart fortwo Brand Manager. “The concept of the smart fortwo is about more than just a car, it's about helping our communities to become forward-thinking and make environmentally responsible choices. At smart center Fairfield, we take this part of our job very seriously, and that is the reason why we made Stratford's purchases a priority.”

The five smart fortwo cars will be incorporated into the Town’s fleet of 300 vehicles which also include: 2004 Freightliner - FL 80 purchased for use by the Highway Department, 2005 Freightliner - FL 80 purchased for use by WPCA,
2004 Ford E350 purchased for use by Senior Services, 2006 Ford Escape purchased for use by WPCA, 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid purchased for use by Department of Public Works, four 2008 Ford Escape Hybrids for use by the Mayor, EMS, Department of Public Works and the Police Department and two Toyota Prius purchased for the Engineering Department and Planning & Zoning.

ABOUT the smart fortwo and smart USA
smart USA Distributor LLC, headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States and Puerto Rico and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc. The smart fortwo is a brand of and is manufactured by Daimler AG. This technologically advanced vehicle achieves 41 mpg on the highway and is an ultra-low emissions vehicle, as certified by the State of California Air Resources Board. The vehicle is 8.8 feet long, 5.1 feet tall and 5.1 feet wide and comes equipped with many functional and safety features found in most luxury models. smart is currently sold in 37 countries, and nearly one million smart fortwos have been sold since 1998. The 2009 smart fortwo is available in three trim levels ranging in price from $11,590 to $16,590*.

* For current model year only. Prices are not guaranteed and are subject to change without notice. Excludes tax, title, registration, destination charge, options and other dealer fees.

smart is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.

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