[Tinman93]

I'm not a big fan but sure some of that will change when the "Smart Car" comes to America. I know I'll be getting one.

[Rummenigge]

That's not a product that would influence the numbers at the end of the fiscal year (although I wish it was, the production of smartforfour has been canceled - the enginners of that production plant are customer of mine now facing the decomission of their plant)

[roscommon]

I just returned from a few weeks in Italy and was greatly impressed with the Smart Car. It is perhaps the perfect car to have in an urban driving environment. I was even lucky to encounter the roadster model while walking back to my hotel in Rome late one evening -- very cool. My wife thought I was crazy to like such a small "get around the town" car. She felt that in now way could those cars be safe in an accident. Well, a few days later as we were walking near the Vatican all of those fears were set aside when we happened upon a three car car wreck. The Smart Car was hit from the front and back -- twisted metal was easily seen. The Smart Car was sandwiched. The car that hit it head-on was a modern FIAT and a Mercedes hit from behind.

Let me paint a picture.

The Fiat was completely totaled -- the poor old man driving was dejected. If the Smart Car had any damage in the front, I couldn't see it. The only damage I could see was from the Mercedes hitting the bumper where it produced a crack around three to four feet long. Other than that the Smart Car came through with flying colors. Mercedes has really done an exceptional job engineering this little car. I would totally recommend someone buying it if they live in a densely populated area where parking is a premium and they don't need much storage.

On a side note, by the looks of it, the Smart Car is even smaller than the original Mini Cooper!

Roscommon

[ASOC]

There is a couple of them driving around town now, I will wait to see how well the heater works in the cold and ice.