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Source: Motor AuthorityDespite America’s reluctance to embrace compact econo-cars, Mercedes’ diminutive Smart Fortwo is selling far beyond expectations in the few months that it’s been on sale in the world’s biggest car market. Sales of the car were expected to be strong in urban areas like Los Angeles and New York but the car is also proving popular in Middle America.
Customers are also choosing to equip the cars with many of the optional extras. Speaking with Automotive News, the CEO of Smart’s official U.S. importer, Roger Penske, revealed that customers are spending on average $1,600 on extras – about 15% of the car’s base price.
“This is not a customer who is buying a car because it is cheap,” Penske said. “People are interested in its urban friendliness and its fuel economy,” he said. “It is the total of what we offer.”
Coinciding with the car’s launch in the U.S., officials took the car on a 50-city road trip to promote it at sporting events and retail outlets. The tactic proved so successful that the cars are now sold out for the next two years.
They can have ours, if they want
My question is this, Would anyone here actually buy one? Personally I'd rather have a real car
370I see the odd one around here. Not exactly a car I would want, but there must be some demand.
I wonder how many of these Smart owners know what they are funding:
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I use to see loads, but they don't appear to be as popular anymore, which is reflected by the poor sale figures.Originally Posted by argatoga
Further research found that Smart GmbH lost nearly €4billion between 2003 and 2006 before they got shoved in with Mercedes-Benz. I didn't realise it went that badly in Europe for them.
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You could not pay me enough to have a Smart Fortwo. My bike gets the same mileage, is easier to park, carries two people and probably the same amount of gear when I put the luggage on it. I can lane-share with it and share a parking space with my car - something the Smart can't do.
213
As long as they keep building real cars for real drivers, I really don't care how many they sell. I don't want to drive down the freeway in a golf cart but if that is what people want to do, they can be my guest.
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I've seen three here locally. And having seen one in person I quite like them. Suits the daily driving criteria for me. Supposedly the Dallas area is selling the most around the country--or so I heard last month.
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After seeing the real mileage figures done by various US magazines driving them across the country, I don't see the appeal to them, especially considering how ugly they are.
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^Yeah, I think one mag only got 37 mpg because they had to hammer it so much to go down the freeway. Considering that an LS1 corvette will do 30mpg, its not brilliant for highway travel, but I do see the point for just cruising around town at 35.
35
I saw one getting on the highway today and nearly ran a red light laughing.
Dunno why I thought it was so funny but I did
And yes, if I lived in a city, I'd have one over a larger vehicle, if I had any vehicle at all.
367
If I were in the market for a new small car for under about $13000 I'd get an Aveo hatchback over a Smart. Two extra doors, three extra seats, a usable cargo area, comparable fuel economy, and it's a little cheaper to boot. Plus if I were to buy a Smart it would have to be the cabrio which is even more expensive, and frankly it's just too much money for what the car is.
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I would never get one because I still have testicles.
But as far as I'm concerned, the masses can eat them up, especially those who don't care about cars (aka 99.9% of the people I know) and think Priuses are "neat". It'll be a real sign of the times when I pull up to Wal-Mart and see a morbidly obese lady struggle to get out of hers.
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If I lived in an area urban enough to warrant one, I'd rather bike.
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The only reason that the expectations were exceeded was because they were only expecting to sell like 10 of these cars (if you can call them cars). Even singles will sometimes need the extra 3 or 4 seats to carry their friends once in a while. Why get a Smart when the same money can get you a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris, both with more power, space, and great economy?
129I fail to see the appeal of them, but if people want them ... whatever. I'd rather just ride a motorcycle most of the year.
0
I actually sat in one at the Ft.Lauderdale motor show, and was shocked by how nice it was.
I'd totally drive one, this coming from the owner of a ridiculous v8, if the city i lived in was more congested.
51I figure they're selling well for a few reasons. Namely, they're new, different, "trendy" and "green"Traits that most of all upper middle class America is obsessed with lately. Makes me sick.
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Yeah, these are not being bought by poor people, they are being bought by the same people that buy piouses.
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They actually appear to be pretty nice little cars. But big "manly" america seems too insecure to be seen in a little car. Eco-weenies and trend-worshippers liking a car does not necessarily make it bad.I figure they're selling well for a few reasons. Namely, they're new, different, "trendy" and "green"
51No, the car itself makes it bad.
88Honestly, that's a really smart (ugh, fucking puns) way of thinking about it. I'm not a pro-bike man meself, but you bring up some great points.
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