Posted on 06/04/2006 10:25:01 PM PDT by Flavius
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler (DCXGn.DE) is leaning toward launching its Smart minicar in the United States, DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said in a newspaper interview on Sunday. ADVERTISEMENT [0]
"At the moment, the tendency is clearly positive," Zetsche said in an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.
A final decision on whether to sell the car in the United States will be taken this month, he said.
Zetsche repeated that he expected the loss-making Smart unit to turn a profit in 2007.
Smart is focusing on building only a two-seat model after deciding to scrap its slow-selling four-seater earlier this year.
The unit, which has been restructuring to stem losses, had already dropped its roadster model a year ago and also abandoned plans for a Smart offroader.
Juergen Schrempp, chairman of Daimler Chrysler is seen on a large video screen behind the new Smart convertible at the Frankfurt car show, September 15. DaimlerChrysler (Reuters)
How much does the other half of the car cost?
'Cause you can't take a bike on the interstate.
In the meantime, they're kinda cool, if you don't have a family.
I have a family - I'm lookin' at a Taurus or Camry wagon or a Sedona!
There was a report on these some months ago. They're apparently rather more crashworthy than they look -- though one would be subjected to more Gs than a heavier car in a crash.
I don't think so. LOL
The tires are too narrow, and there's no room for the clubs and beer. Essentially these cars are just short haul "low and slow" short distances. Not meant for normal driving activities.
Beep, er, I mean, bump.
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