Yaz AMG

Well, guess what guys. I think MBUSA is for real - they are bringing Smart to the States. I saw two Smart today on the streets of NYC! One was a roadster (pictured) and the other was the hardtop model. I couldn't snap a pic of it 'cause it was moving in traffic. Both had manufacturer license plates which means they belong to MBUSA. To tell you the truth though, I'd take a MINI anyday over this. It's SO small, I think most people wouldn't be able to fit in. That and our roads riddled with potholes and bumps.

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I also saw a B200, but with an Ontario license plate.
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Merc1

Uh oh, that means they're likely trying them out on U.S. roads before making a final decision. I really don't think Smart can make it here, they're just too small. Mini is one thing, but these Smarts are even smaller! Too small.

M

Imhotep Evil

Well maybe a LWD Fofour bout the size of the MINI might make it.

warot

I don't know, I have the feeling that this is going to fail miserably. If Smart didn't work in Europe, there's absolutely no reason why it would work in the US. Ok so gas prices are rising, but they are still cheaper than in Europe. You won't see people in ML's going for Smarts any time soon.

The reason the Mini is successful is because it has heritage. People will think that you are "cool" if you drive one because it's a vintage car reborn. It's also got BMW quality (rather than Rover) and it drives really well. That's why people will pay a good amount of cash for this car. What does Smart have? It's only a 2 seater, looks odd (imo), expensive and handling isn't exactly its forte (not that it was meant to be). Benz needs to focus on something else.

BMW_Dude

You may find the new Smart ForTwo is better engineered for the US!

I remember hearing VW Foxes were seen in the US, so you may find you guys are going to get a load of small cars in the coming years!

Yaz AMG

Un oh indeed Marcus!
Check this out, I found this thread on MBWorld: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Post#6:And I just found this from CNN: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Osnabrueck

Couple of things.

1 - The Smart FourTwo gets phenomenal milage. I rented one for a weekend and was blown away when my fill-up only ran me 20 Euro instead of the expected 35 (this was about 2-3 years ago). If miserly consumption is your bag, mission accomplished.

2 - Smart has gotten itself knee-deep in red ink, but initially Smart was very successful. When the lineup consisted of only the FourTwo and some variants sales were relatively brisk, and it didn't hurt that there wasn't any direct competition for this type of vehicle. Problems arose when management foolishly decided to step out of Smart's niche and grow the range with product nobody wanted (Roadster, FourFour).

I have my doubts about Smart working in the US market. The FourTwo, which is the heart and soul of Smart, was developed to solve European problems. In most parts of the US, such a vehicle is simply unsuitable for extended travel.

Initially, Smart would find plenty of early adopters amongst green-minded trend watchers and those who want to make a statement against Americans' prediliction for huge vehicles. After that, I don't see a sustainable base being generated.

There's also the problem of dealer networks. How does Mercedes sell these things when Americans are so image conscious? It's one thing to have Smart dealerships butting-up with Benz dealers in Germany - but in the US? I just don't see it.

Merc1

GASP! If this flops Mercedes will spend just that much more time trying to get their finances together and just as important their image. They should have just let that other company import the car and make a deal with them. Mercedes dealers don't want anything to do with it and I can't blame them. Mercedes doesn't have the money to burn by trying to establish a seperate dealer network. This is madness.

Hopefully we'll get something official in the next few days/weeks that says they are NOT going to bring Smart here.

M

Alx

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The Wall Street Journal is reporting that DaimlerChrysler will announce next week that the SMART fortwo will be launched in the U.S. as early as next year. CEO Dieter Zetsche is reportedly hoping that U.S. sales could help SMART turn a profit, which it has failed to do for DaimlerChrysler since its inception in 1998. WSJ says that an agreement has been reached with a U.S. distributor to sell the SMART car in major metropolitan markets on the East and West coasts where small car sales are strongest. Though the exchange rate is not in DCX's favor, the company is hoping that high gas prices will make its tiny car attractive to consumers.

[Source: Wall Street Journal via - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER]

Yaz AMG

Well, it's official!
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