Electric Smart will go into volume production

**Tideland Prius** · 10-09-2009, 01:50 AM

Hambach, France – An electric version of the Smart Fortwo will go into series production in 2012, built at the Smart plant in Hambach, France, Daimler AG has announced.

The Smart, powered by a lithium-ion battery, will roll off the assembly line in large-scale production and be offered to customers through the Smart sales network. The initial series production will begin with 1,000 vehicles, the first of which will be delivered to customers by the end of 2009. As of 2012, the electric version will then be part of the regular product program of the Smart brand.

CanadianDriver Green News Electric Smart will go into volume production

Rybold · 10-09-2009, 03:09 AM

These cars will sell.
Personally, I don't see the point in buying the gas Smart Car when you can buy a Prius, but here in S. California, I see a different Smart Car on the road every day. I'm going to estimate that in Orange County there are at least 100 on the streets. Like I said, I don't see the appeal (when you can have a Prius), but people are buying these things. Based on that, I think the electric version will sell. Not to me, but to many people.

M8s · 10-09-2009, 09:38 AM

I just don't "get" the appeal of the Smart car.

When I first saw them in Europe a decade ago, and saw how they would park where no other car could possibly fit, they seemed like a good idea. But to drive one in SoCal? No way would I take one out on the 405.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-09-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rybold

These cars will sell.
Personally, I don't see the point in buying the gas Smart Car when you can buy a Prius, but here in S. California, I see a different Smart Car on the road every day. I'm going to estimate that in Orange County there are at least 100 on the streets. Like I said, I don't see the appeal (when you can have a Prius), but people are buying these things. Based on that, I think the electric version will sell. Not to me, but to many people.

well it's half the price of a Prius for starters. A good 2nd commuter car.

SarahH · 10-12-2009, 05:27 PM

Fuel efficient, well built, inexpensive and safe www safeandsmart com
I've enjoyed mine for a year and a half, so far...

lamontcranston · 10-12-2009, 05:34 PM

I test drove the Smart and it was a punishment I couldn't inflict upon myself daily, especially not for a pitiful 41mpg. A car like that should get the energy equivalent of 80-90mpg if it's going to be so slow and jerky.

radiocycle · 10-12-2009, 10:20 PM

Business Fleet called the gas SF2 one of the ten worst cars of the decade and had this to say about it:

Smart ForTwo(2008-present): We don't have a problem with small cars in general (we're big fans of the Mini Cooper), just with ones that don't deliver on the benefits of going small. The pint-sized ForTwo sacrifices a lot of passenger space for a relatively unimpressive 41 mpg on the highway, has an SUV-like propensity to roll over, and is equipped with an aggravating sequential manual transmission. Sure, the ForTwo looks cute, but after you drive it you won't be smiling anymore.

hill · 10-12-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahH

Fuel efficient, well built, inexpensive and safe www safeandsmart com
I've enjoyed mine for a year and a half, so far...

YouTube - smart car crash

There's not much of a crumple zone so tests show occupants would die in this scenario. So, would bigger crumple zones in bigger cars help? You decide.

Now ... electric? They'be been trying to get it into production for quite a few years now. I hope this time it'll happen. I'm still hoping the 1st EV re-introduced will be a bit larger.
.

Rybold · 10-13-2009, 01:28 AM

Too bad we can't get Mini Cooper to do the same thing with an electric Mini.

I hope Mini follows their lead. I hope Smart does well ... and I hope MANY more manufacturers follow them.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-13-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiocycle

Business Fleet called the gas SF2 one of the ten worst cars of the decade and had this to say about it:

Smart ForTwo(2008-present): We don't have a problem with small cars in general (we're big fans of the Mini Cooper), just with ones that don't deliver on the benefits of going small. The pint-sized ForTwo sacrifices a lot of passenger space for a relatively unimpressive 41 mpg on the highway, has an SUV-like propensity to roll over, and is equipped with an aggravating sequential manual transmission. Sure, the ForTwo looks cute, but after you drive it you won't be smiling anymore.

Err... I had more driver space in the smart than in the Prius. The only thing the Prius wins is width.

10-09-2009, 01:50 AM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,606 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 227 Thanked 343 Times in 242 Posts Friends: 23	Electric Smart will go into volume production Hambach, France – An electric version of the Smart Fortwo will go into series production in 2012, built at the Smart plant in Hambach, France, Daimler AG has announced. The Smart, powered by a lithium-ion battery, will roll off the assembly line in large-scale production and be offered to customers through the Smart sales network. The initial series production will begin with 1,000 vehicles, the first of which will be delivered to customers by the end of 2009. As of 2012, the electric version will then be part of the regular product program of the Smart brand. CanadianDriver Green News Electric Smart will go into volume production __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lighting "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

10-09-2009, 03:09 AM	#2
Rybold globally warmed member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,246 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 95 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Electric Smart will go into volume production These cars will sell. Personally, I don't see the point in buying the gas Smart Car when you can buy a Prius, but here in S. California, I see a different Smart Car on the road every day. I'm going to estimate that in Orange County there are at least 100 on the streets. Like I said, I don't see the appeal (when you can have a Prius), but people are buying these things. Based on that, I think the electric version will sell. Not to me, but to many people.

10-09-2009, 09:38 AM	#3
M8s Retired and Lovin' It Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Colorado & Arizona Posts: 147 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Electric Smart will go into volume production I just don't "get" the appeal of the Smart car. When I first saw them in Europe a decade ago, and saw how they would park where no other car could possibly fit, they seemed like a good idea. But to drive one in SoCal? No way would I take one out on the 405.

10-12-2009, 05:27 PM	#5
SarahH Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Electric Smart will go into volume production Fuel efficient, well built, inexpensive and safe www safeandsmart com I've enjoyed mine for a year and a half, so far...

10-12-2009, 05:34 PM	#6
lamontcranston Umbra Tenet Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 188 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: Base Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Electric Smart will go into volume production I test drove the Smart and it was a punishment I couldn't inflict upon myself daily, especially not for a pitiful 41mpg. A car like that should get the energy equivalent of 80-90mpg if it's going to be so slow and jerky.

10-12-2009, 10:20 PM	#7
radiocycle Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 255 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 150 Thanked 27 Times in 24 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Electric Smart will go into volume production Business Fleet called the gas SF2 one of the ten worst cars of the decade and had this to say about it: Smart ForTwo(2008-present): We don't have a problem with small cars in general (we're big fans of the Mini Cooper), just with ones that don't deliver on the benefits of going small. The pint-sized ForTwo sacrifices a lot of passenger space for a relatively unimpressive 41 mpg on the highway, has an SUV-like propensity to roll over, and is equipped with an aggravating sequential manual transmission. Sure, the ForTwo looks cute, but after you drive it you won't be smiling anymore.

10-13-2009, 01:28 AM	#9
Rybold globally warmed member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,246 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 95 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Electric Smart will go into volume production Too bad we can't get Mini Cooper to do the same thing with an electric Mini. I hope Mini follows their lead. I hope Smart does well ... and I hope MANY more manufacturers follow them.

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