CAR rental giant Avis Europe is to take delivery of around 4,000 Smart cars - the new two-seater city car to be launched in Europe in October - in an innovative three-year exclusive deal. Manufactured by Micro Compact Car - a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and SMH - the car will be launched in October in nine European countries - Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany - before going on sale in the UK in 2000.

Revealed at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show the Smart car is powered by a 600cc three-cylinder engine, although two further versions are expected to be added to the line-up including a turbo charged diesel model. In adding the car to its European fleet, Avis is launching a scheme called 'Smartmove & more', which will allow both corporate and private customers to be more flexible in renting and owning vehicles.

Claimed to be the first pan-European motoring package of its kind Smart car owners will be able to tailor their choice of hire vehicle from Avis' fleet according to their particular needs. So customers who buy a Smart car will be able to hire a larger vehicle for family holidays for example. Avis will allow customers to test drive the car from the Avis fleet and will stage forecourt displays.