Will America Wise Up To The Smart?

One of the highlights of this week's Los Angeles auto show will be the diminutive smart two-seater, deliveries of which start in around six weeks time.

The cute smart fortwo has been on sale for several years in Europe but it's taken the commitment of Michigan's own leading entrepreneur, Roger Penske, to bring the Daimler AG microcar to American hands. As with all his business activities, Penske is intimately involved in setting up the U.S. distribution network for smart. The 70-year-old magnate (whose dealer group last year sold more than 180,000 new vehicles and generated $11.2 billion in revenues) reaches for his Blackberry cell phone when asked about smart pre-sales action. "Do you know that 53 percent of internet buyers for the smart want leather seats?" he notes.

The head of Bloomfield Hills-based smart USA, Penske knows from his phone exactly how many people have signed up online for the car and how they want to configure their vehicles.


Read Article

Mate - 11/13/2007 4:51:20 PM

+2 Boost

Yes. It'll get you lots of attention for not that much.....but so will other things. I mean, it real isn't that good of a car. Yet, its fun to look at, economical, and small enough to fit in your purse!

Lexus - 11/13/2007 5:16:37 PM

+1 Boost

From fuel economical stand point yes it will be a big hit in the rich neighborhood area. Probably, like, Irive, Coronado, La Jolla, CA, and probably New York.

But in other areas of most U.S city than the answer is NO! Seriously would you drive thing on the 5 Freeway? it to small.

SoSnootySo - 11/13/2007 5:21:43 PM

+1 Boost

This car looks fragile. I've seen a few of them around here in New Haven, CT.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/13/2007 9:33:00 PM

+1 Boost

I've seen a couple, too. It sticks out like a tiny sore thumb. I could just see it getting crushed by the Denali XLs and Escalades in my area... ouch.

theoptimisticpessimist - 11/13/2007 6:11:35 PM

+2 Boost

Once America see the price, oh yes. fully loaded with leather for $15K. WOW!

t_bone - 11/13/2007 8:27:50 PM

+2 Boost

I really want to like the Smart, but I'm afraid I don't. Two reasons, really...the fuel economy is not nearly as good is it ought to be for such a redefined size class. Secondly, the price is a bit too high. In both these measures the Smart competes directly against compacts which easily seat 4.

A shame. I wanted this car to get 70 mpg and cost a lot less. Not sure why it fails at both.

soopakrn - 11/14/2007 1:08:26 AM

+1 Boost

Will this car be a hit? Well yes, in certain cities perhaps. But a hit in the US? No. For us Americans (for a majority that is), the car is an extension of who we are. It is our personal space as well (Look at how many people drive alone and drive large cars as well). And as traditional American culture goes, bigger is better. So is our own personal space. The bigger our personal space the better. Therefore, larger cars will still continue to dominate a large segment of the market.

And besides, like someone else mentioned..... Try driving on the 5 and 91 freeway in Southern California at morning/mid-day/evening rush hour. And you'll see why you wouldn't want to drive something that small.

soopakrn - 11/14/2007 1:09:34 AM

+1 Boost

It's really more of a psychological issue than it is environmental or what other issues you might have out there.