If you're one of the dwindling number of car buyers considering the Smart ForTwo minicar, now may be a good time to close the deal.

Smart sent out an e-mail yesterday offering $1,500 of "customer cash" off the purchase price of remaining 2010 ForTwo coupe models, which apparently are still in stock at some Smart dealers.

Those dealers are going through something of an upheaval themselves, with Monday's announcement that Mercedes-Benz would take over Smart distribution in the U.S. from Penske Motors, which had brought the car into the States and overseen a network of 79 dealers.

Smart USA is offering a $1,500 discount on leftover 2010 Smart ForTwo coupes

Smart USA is offering a $1,500 discount on leftover 2010 Smart ForTwo coupes

Of those dealerships, the 21 who are not already also Mercedes-Benz dealers will be closed.

The balance will remain, although Smart will become a "sub-brand" under the Mercedes-Benz umbrella rather than an independent entity.

It's unclear what impact the change will have on Smart's plans to distribute 250 Smart Electric Drive vehicles in the States. The first one was delivered less than a month ago.

Meanwhile, the $1,500 discount--which brings the list price of a base 2010 Smart ForTwo down to $11,540--ends on February 28. Act fast if you want a two-seat minicar rated by the EPA at 33 mpg city, 41 mpg highway.

[Smart USA]

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