Smart cars from Mercedes coming to the United States

Mercedes-Benz confirmed last week that it will introduce its Smartline of small cars, now just in European and Asian markets, to theUnited States in 2006.

Smart's small, quirky designs overseas are well suited to the tinyparking spaces in crowded European and Japanese cities. In the UnitedStates, the line could broaden Mercedes' reach beyond prestige carsand answer BMW's Mini.

The iconic European Smart is a two-door, 8-foot-long two-seatercalled Fortwo. Two Fortwo Smarts can fit legally nose-to-curb intoone standard European parking space, and the car gets 60 miles to thegallon. The first U.S. model, though, will be a small …