The little car that could; US racing, dealer giant Penske is smiling over Smart's start in the US.

Byline: Diana T. Kurylko

Was it Roger Penske's golden touch that sold so many Smart microcars in the US last year, or the right product at a time when consumers crave fuel economy?

It was probably a bit of both. But even Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says he's surprised that 24,622 Smart ForTwo cars were sold in their first year of US sales. Daimler produces the cars, and in the US Penske Automotive Group is the sole distributor, responsible for sales and marketing of the brand.

A little amazement

Penske, who is chairman of Penske Automotive Group the country's second-biggest public dealership group appears a little amazed at the sales …