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Daimler expects huge US demand for tiny Smart car
www.physorg.com ^ | 12/03/2007 | Staff

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.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Germany; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: auto; automakers; daimler; energy; fuel; greens; smartcar
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To: Cobra64

Have a cup of Lavazza™ for me!


81 posted on 12/04/2007 2:04:21 PM PST by cmsgop ( MURTHA: 'I think the 'surge' is working'...)
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Comment #82 Removed by Moderator

To: HamiltonJay

40 MPG????

I’m doing that now in my 1993 Honda Civic 4-Door sedan. With 210,000 miles on it.

BTW, I’m 6’3” and 350


83 posted on 12/04/2007 2:05:31 PM PST by Bryan24 (When in doubt, move to the right..........)
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To: ctdonath2

Oh my gosh. I hope no one was in that car when that happened!


84 posted on 12/04/2007 2:05:35 PM PST by Pinkbell (Duncan Hunter 2008 - Protecting and Restoring America)
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To: OSHA
My Italy Rental


85 posted on 12/04/2007 2:06:13 PM PST by OSHA (Liberals will lick the boot on their necks if they think the other boot is on yours and mine.)
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To: Responsibility2nd
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

If you think they are toys, go to Europe.

Most full size cars today would have been considered compact cars 40 years ago.

86 posted on 12/04/2007 2:06:46 PM PST by Cobra64 (www.BulletBras.net)
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To: Red Badger

iCar? iBenz?


87 posted on 12/04/2007 2:07:03 PM PST by JCEccles
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To: Cobra64
Most full size cars today would have been considered compact cars 40 years ago.

I saw a Corvair wagon yesterday, it was surprising how big it seemed. (It had a Nader bumper sticker, lot's of the Corvair folks do that.)

88 posted on 12/04/2007 2:08:01 PM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: TonyRo76
Nice...especially like the second one! 'Vettes are sweeeeeeeeeeeet!!

Yeah, just gotta come up with the money. I have a one car garage, so I got a place for the Vette to stay. If I get one, I'll probably keep my little Nissan for the work commute.

I'm partial to the C4 because it has the old Chevy 350 small block. Best internal combustion engine ever made, IMO.
89 posted on 12/04/2007 2:08:12 PM PST by JamesP81 ("I am against "zero tolerance" policies. It is a crutch for idiots." --FReeper Tenacious 1)
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To: Cobra64
My favorite car is a Beemer

Isetta?

90 posted on 12/04/2007 2:08:42 PM PST by tacticalogic ("Oh bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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To: Cobra64

Whacha doin’ in Milan?


91 posted on 12/04/2007 2:08:42 PM PST by txhurl (Yes there were WMDs)
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To: JamesP81
Sorry, I prefer not to be emasculated by my vehicle.

None of us need worry - our bigger cars aren't compensating for anything.   :p

92 posted on 12/04/2007 2:09:06 PM PST by highball ("I never should have switched from scotch to martinis." -- the last words of Humphrey Bogart)
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To: saganite

That video is as eye opener!


93 posted on 12/04/2007 2:09:22 PM PST by A. Morgan (Fred Thompson/Duncan Hunter 2008 Thank me!)
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To: 2banana

Looks like a casket.


94 posted on 12/04/2007 2:09:54 PM PST by Bob J
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To: Red Badger; hedgetrimmer; calcowgirl; nicmarlo; Czar

Try this Chineze car.

http://www.cheryarmor.com/armor/main.jsp

A bullet proof Chery. The drug lords on the border will be happy about this car.


95 posted on 12/04/2007 2:09:54 PM PST by texastoo ((((((USA)))))((((((, USA))))))((((((. USA))))))))
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To: Red Badger
Well, it's clear where they got their inspiration...


96 posted on 12/04/2007 2:10:06 PM PST by reagan_fanatic (Ron Paul put the cuckoo in my Cocoa Puffs)
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To: Arm_Bears

Can’t you see it instead of limos they all get out of the their ecco-friendly smart cars all dressed up in diamonds and furs. lol


97 posted on 12/04/2007 2:11:02 PM PST by red irish (Gods Children in the womb are to be loved too!)
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To: Red Badger
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_(automobile)

The project idea was originally started by Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch and was nicknamed the "Swatchmobile". The name SMART is an acronym for Swatch Mercedes ART
98 posted on 12/04/2007 2:12:03 PM PST by posterchild ("Congress does two things very well: one is nothing and two is overreact." - Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga)
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To: Red Badger
Yea I saw one on these little thing driving in my local area on So Cal last month...(testing I guess)

It seem ok but then again he was in the fast lane (but not going fast) holding up traffic and I had to pass him on the left

It you want one great but either keep up or stay right out of the way, else your going to be a speed bump it real world traffic

99 posted on 12/04/2007 2:13:43 PM PST by tophat9000 (You need to have standards to fail and be a hypocrite, Dem's therefor are never hypocrites)
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To: Red Badger

Ummmmmmmmmm

That would be a big fat no.

I’ll stick to my motorcycles. Much safer.


100 posted on 12/04/2007 2:14:12 PM PST by taxed2death (A few billion here, a few trillion there...we're all friends right?)
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