First Smart car delivered in U.S.

Importer ZAP announced on Friday that a school teacher from Wellington, Florida, has taken delivery of the first U.S. approved Smart Car in the State of Florida through ZAP's authorized dealership in West Palm Beach. "The attention these small automobiles get is amazing," said Jonathan Ortiz of ZAP of Palm Beach, also known as Foreign Affairs Automotive. ZAP plans to announce other dealerships around the United States as they prepare for distribution. ZAP's first Florida customer, Robert Sharon, has been a Smart Car fan since he toured Europe as a concert pianist in 2000. "I pointed the Smart Cars out to my music students while we were touring in Greece over the summer and I think they are almost as excited as I am," said Sharon. "I love everything about the Smart Car, the maneuverability, flexibility and economy. I also drive a Mercedes E320 station wagon, so now my wagon has a baby brother."