Posted on 12/04/2007 1:36:45 PM PST by Red Badger
German car maker Daimler said Tuesday that next month's launch of its tiny Smart car in the United States will unleash such stiff demand the company will have trouble meeting it.
We will not be able to meet demand thus far" for 2008, Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche said here at a news briefing.
More than 30,000 US customers have put down 99-dollar deposits to reserve one of the fuel-saving, two-seat Smart Fortwo, which will begin arriving in the massive US market in January, he said.
"Down payments are going far beyond the production capacity we have," the chairman said, without providing a sales forecast for the US market.
Many analysts question the ability of the super-small Smart, which measures a mere 2.5 meters (eight feet) in length, to succeed in the country of hulking gasoline-guzzling vehicles.
"Times have changed," Zetsche said, pointing to growing concerns of American consumers about global warming.
The Smart Fortwo will be marketed via 70 dealerships in the leading US cities, the company said.
In its most basic version, the micro car will sell for 11,590 dollars, excluding tax. The company said that a Smart equipped with all the options was expected to cost some 20,000 dollars, including tax.
"We are not looking for customers looking for the cheapest vehicle," Zetsche said.
Daimler clearly signaled it was aiming to emulate Apple's success with electronics gadgets in the US market.
"Like owning an Apple i-Mac, i-Pod or i-Phone, Smart documents the open-minded attitude of the 'thought leaders,' who choose innovative solutions as an existential part of their everyday lives," the company said in a press brochure.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
You'll drive really really defensively.........on the sidewalk......
It’s about time! They’ve only been out in Europe for ten years.
I saw them in 2000 when I was there. These look much nicer.......
there were quite a few of them on the roads when I was in Germany a couple of months ago (of course I was in Stuttgart, home of Daimler, so maybe that’s part it ...)
Around 50 mpg gas, 70 mpg for the diesel version.
They’re about as safe as any compact car in the US market today.
And?
Yes, I remember seeing them on the Autobahn........
You can actually open and close the door! I couldn’t do that after a low-speed fender-bender.
The bar moves to 70 mpg if you're comparing diesel.
Sshhhhhh..... This is a secret. Don’t tell anyone, OK?
The SmartCars are grown in a cabbage patch.
They are really Cabbage Patch Cars@ .
We just need a wittle more wand.
Then we grow plenty. You see. Vill be like kudzu in the summer.
actually in europe it was pretty much a “swatch” type item for the fashion minded.
It will be for the people with more money than inteligence. Women will buy them because they are cute.
They might even get old people to buy them to go to the grocery store as a golf cart alternative.
Seriously though those things are TINY. You can park three side by side in a standard parking space.
A Harley-Davidson has more engine power. (a small Harley-Davidson.)
Those who have come here to make the point that a person would be crazy to drive one of these at highway speeds are right. I don’t see that as the market for these vehicles though.
I don’t see a problem with driving one around town. I wouldn’t mind having one for short trips around town. It wouldn’t be my primary vehicle though.
I have an 87. Nice car, really like it, but I’d go for the LT1. 50HP boost from 91 to 92. You can get a nice mid mileage 92-93 for around $8k-$9k.
Yes, I always wanted a car without a back seat to make out in (although I think I’m getting a little old for that).
The Smart Car, made by Daimler, a subsidiary of Lead Balloon GmbH.
Like kudzu? Then we can melt them all down for biodiesel........
I want to see what this car looks like when you are rear ended by a cement truck and forced into the semi in front of you.
Just think, you can by two and have a spare for when it gets windy........
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