Should it be Here?

[Mark08859]

Plunked down my $99 reservation a few weeks ago at my local dealer (Ray Catena in NJ). I already knew about the 12 - 15 month wait. But it begs the question: If Smart building capacity clearly cannot even begin to approach demand, should the car even be sold in the USA at this time?

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[lkchris]

It's a car that falls into the "toy" category and the fact they're selling all they can make proves it's a good idea to sell them here.

Until they bring the diesels, it's not a practical car, as plenty of other cars in the market match the fuel economy while as same time providing more interior room. Some pretty close in price, too.

[am_beagle]

Originally Posted by Mark08859

Plunked down my $99 reservation a few weeks ago at my local dealer (Ray Catena in NJ). I already knew about the 12 - 15 month wait. But it begs the question: If Smart building capacity clearly cannot even begin to approach demand, should the car even be sold in the USA at this time?

Same here. Took back $99 online reservation after a test drive last fall. SMART car is a toy comparing with Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and the cheap Koreans.....

[Mark08859]

Agreed that there are other cars that can compete with the Smart regarding most aspects. The main thing for me is being able to get a loaner if/when the car goes into the shop. I hate asking friends/family to "follow me to the dealer". My Smart dealer will do loaners a la MB.

[tivoboy]

Originally Posted by lkchris

it's not a practical car, as plenty of other cars in the market match the fuel economy while as same time providing more interior room. Some pretty close in price, too.

I think, that the smart is the highest fuel economy performing combustion only car sold in the USA. Next best, is 12-20% below that of the smart. Even then, there are only about three others car in that 12-20% below, the rest fall off quickly. Only cars better, are the two hybrids, which are 8-10K$ plus.

[Mike T.]

30,000 people think "it should be here", so there you go.

The argument about the Korean and other cheap cars is laughable, unless you buy your cars like you buy a refrigerator at Liquidation World.

Try ordering a cheap Korean or Japanese car with all of the following: heated seats, leather upholstery, convertible top or transparent roof, paddle gearshift on the steering wheel, ESP, ABS, side airbags. And a few other things.

This car is not for everyone. Those looking for the cheapest car on the planet should buy an Asian car, because there is more to the smart than that....much more. Those who don't see it, well that's OK by me.

[Saprissa]

I don't know how it is in New Jersey,
but out here in Southern California these things are going like hot-cakes.

Each dealership gets allocated only so many smart cars ( I believe the figure is 700). Of the 700 that were ordered last year and have been delivered in the past 2 months or so, a few $99 reservists dropped out, and the cars are being sold on the spot. There is actually a waiting list of close to 500 people just for the reserved cars that drop out. That's how I got mine on one weekend. It just happened to be the right color and with all the options I wanted.

As for production capacity meeting demand, I think that's why they limited to 700 or so units per dealership.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com
__________________
1959 220S Ponton
1979 230 G-Wagen
2002 A210 EVO AMG
2003 C320 Sport Coupé
2004.5 C320 Sport Sedan
2005 ML350 Special Edition
2008 smart Passion ForTwo

[Saijin_Naib]

Not to mention the Green design philosophy of the Smart, and how the body panels are recycled and remanufactured, as are nearly all materials used in the construction of the car. I love that idea! I also like how they aim to minimize the impact of the production facility on the environment by restructuring the area around the plant. Very cool stuff. I would have preferred they brought the ForFour and Roadster, I think they would have sold in droves, but since they sold the rights to both, it's not gonna happen.

Also, what other cheap korean car has the engineering safety prowess of Mercedes Benz behind them?

I thought so!

(I wish I could have a Smart )

[HBKHBK]

well, i personally think its a "mistake" selling the cars here.
Because compared to Europe,it won't sell here and won't be in use like europeans do.

Just the fact it took over 12 years to have this car considered to offer in the U.S. speaks to itself.

I drove a smart in germany for three years back in 1998/1999...

Here in the US people will have this car just for fun and not for "actual" use aka grocery shopping,going out,traveling...which europeans do with this car.

thats why this car is and will be considered a "toy car" aka just for fun.

I mean if you travel to europe u will see,almost every 5th person drives a smart,especially in france (where the car is built) and germany.

anyway,thats my opinion.

[tivoboy]

12 years?

I had the third one off the line, in summer 1998

[Saprissa]

i use it just like the europeans do...

for grocery shopping, going out, traveling, commuting to work...

an aw shucks, it's fun too !

[Mark08859]

When I was talking with the Smart salesman, he told me that most people buying the car said they were going to use it as a commuter vehicle. I know I'll be using it for that purpose having had vandalism issues with my old C230 in the past at my train station. It'll also be used for short trips about town. Don't know about long trips.

[Gullwing]

Originally Posted by HBKHBK

Just the fact it took over 12 years to have this car considered to offer in the U.S. speaks to itself.

They have been wanting to bring it over for several years. Problem was most Americans were going for the big trucks and SUVs.
Once the new model came out they bought it over and timed it perfectly.