DaimlerChrysler Rolls Over on SMART

FRANKFURT, June 27 — Are Americans finally ready to get Smart?

DaimlerChrysler, which shelved an earlier plan to bring its Smart minicar brand to the United States, plans to announce Wednesday that it will introduce the tiny two-seat vehicle to the American market early in 2008, according to several executives at the company.

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It's smaller than a Fit or the other new subcompacts which seat 4 with luggage room. It's smaller than the Mini even, and looks great to be a daily-driver commuter car.

Makes me wonder why they won't also consider brining over their A-class cars? Too small and not fuel-efficient enough?

For the expected $15,000 price, seems like a lot for a little car. 60MPG estimated, looks like no cargo room. 0-60 in 16 seconds, top speed 84MPH. Not speedy!

It's cute, but doesn't seem like a good value. Reminds me of a Honda Insight, kinda (at least for looks)

I think it could be a great option for inner city commuters, and it seems there has been a significant increase in the sale of scooters lately which I attribute to fuel efficiency and ease of parking. Maybe there is a niche for the Smart.

Two Smart cars together don't add up to the seating or cargo capacity of a Prius. They're very small, soft on the inside, and seem to come in candy colours, so I call them Smarties.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ Jun 28 2006, 06:31 PM) [snapback]278272[/snapback]</div>

Don't get me wrong, I won't be buying one, but the fact that two Smart cars together don't add up to one Prius (or pretty much any car) may be what sells them to certain people. If I lived in the central portion of a large city, and commuted on city streets (not interstate) I would consider one.

Oh I though the Smart Car was an EV car. Not interested at only 46mph gallon in the city. I can get that with my Prius.

For now I will stick to my Prius and Daimler Chrysler Gem.

I think the car is cute though. I would need it to be an EV to be interested though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tracysbeans @ Jun 28 2006, 04:12 PM) [snapback]278293[/snapback]</div>

Real cute. If you like roller skates...

When I was in Greece last year, I saw many Smart Cars in downtown Athens. Very popular and for good reason, the city parking is obviously a major issue there. However, I don't recall seeing one on the highways or out in the countryside.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Jun 29 2006, 07:11 AM) [snapback]278515[/snapback]</div>

Back in the day I was a GREAT rollerskater! I'm sure it would ALL come back to me

EXCEPT I would ONLY be interested in the car if it was an EV

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Jun 29 2006, 08:11 AM) [snapback]278515[/snapback]</div>

A real cool car! I like the 4 door model too......
They should be a hott seller here in the US. They'd make a great 1st time buyer car and give those who complain about car prices something to drive..!

I saw this article yesterday and read it with great interest. The SmartCar's have always facinated me. I've actually seen one in the US (western CT) and it REALLY stood out next to the "standard" US cars. In my experience, they stand out a little less in Europe, where cars are, in general, smaller.

My favorite quote from the article:

"DaimlerChrysler notes, however, that the Fortwo is the only car in the world less than 3 meters (roughly 10 feet) long.
That makes it small enough for two to squeeze into a single parking space. Or for drivers to park it perpendicular to the curb without protruding beyond other parked cars — a practice that is forbidden in some cities."

Now, that's just cool!

They've made fabulous EVs out of these little buggers... and though many people have said they'll sell EV conversions here, it just never seems to happen. Sad. They make perfect little commuters that way.

Being a big guy, I would have to buy one for each foot. (sigh) The big problem that I see is that although it might be an excellent car for getting around in cities, I would not want to drive from Boston to New York in it. I don't think I would be comfortable driving it on a high-speed highway where the first trailer truck to zip past me would blow me into the bushes. That means that for most people this would be a second car, and not much use if you had any kids.

At 15K this is going to be a tough sell. Under 8K I think it would have a good future. Its going to be interesting to watch, not sure what they are going to put into it to justify the price. Hope it works....

My favorite quote from the article:

"DaimlerChrysler notes, however, that the Fortwo is the only car in the world less than 3 meters (roughly 10 feet) long.
That makes it small enough for two to squeeze into a single parking space. Or for drivers to park it perpendicular to the curb without protruding beyond other parked cars — a practice that is forbidden in some cities."

Now, that's just cool!
[/quote]


I live in Dallas and I saw a SMART parked 'perpendicular to the curb,' it was brilliant. But in Dallas? I doubt I will see another, I am sorry to say that this is Hummer Country.

I saw one 3 days ago. SOOO weird looking.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AnOldHouse @ Jun 29 2006, 06:29 AM) [snapback]278530[/snapback]</div>

Yes, parking in Athens is a major issue! When we were in Greece about 10 years ago, we were rented something called a "Seat" (rhymes with Fiat), which was powered not by the proverbial hamster, but a runt mouse with asthma. In a square wheel. Anyway, we discovered that there are not, in fact, any traffic laws in Greece; merely traffic SUGGESTIONS. You could not PAY me to ever again drive anything unarmored in that country! :blink:

THAT'S gotta hurt...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David H. Hawkins @ Jun 29 2006, 09:32 PM) [snapback]278968[/snapback]</div>

True! Just like most motorcycles, and most sports cars sold today.... but with the advantage that it is more protected than a motorcycle (and better gas mileage and emissions than many) and cheaper and more efficient than most sports cars. Right tool for the job. It isn't a good cross-country vehicle any more than an SUV is a good single-occupant commute vehicle.