US Smart cars in 2007?

Smart cars might be cruising the U.S. within a year.

DaimlerChrysler, manufacturer of the sporty two-person vehicles, is on the path to a U.S. launch. The question, according to the company’s chief executive, Dieter Zetsche, is when.

They recently decided to stop making the four-seat model because of lackluster sales, and also have abandoned plans for an off-road model because of little consumer interest, now they are looking to in other directions to profit. Zetsche expects that profit to come in 2007 with their entry to the U.S. market.

The launch decision will be made sometime this month, Zetsche said.