Those were the less-than decisive words of DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche in a newspaper interview published Sunday in Germany. The final decision is expected later this month, but it looks like the two-seater Smart may indeed take a shot at the U.S. market, in the guise of the redesigned 2007 model. Just in time, the ever-vigilant folks over at WorldCarFans.com have a gallery of spy shots of the 2007 ForTwo here.
If the minicar does hit the U.S., it will have to be part of a Smart strategy to (finally) turn a profit in 2007. In the past year, Smart has received the full Zetsche treatment, axing the four-seater and roadster models, and dropping plans for a mini-SUV, leaving the automaker with only the ForTwo model.
[Source: Reuters]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Captain Underpants @ Jun 6th 2006 12:10PM
I was shocked to see so many Smart cars in Toronto when I was there two weeks ago. The car works for large metropolitan areas. Bring back the roadster though!
P.L. @ Jun 6th 2006 12:33PM
This is positive news. But if these micro tiny cars don't generate at least 75mpg I don't think they will sell very well here.
Mark @ Jun 6th 2006 12:35PM
I'm shocked at how many smart cars are roaming around Miami's South Beach, and they aren't even officially imported here. A few businesses has grey market imported them for business, and I know at least two people who purchased them via Canada.
The smart car will work in the US. There is a healthy market to sell 20,000 or so a year in key urban markets, such as Miami, New York City, and San Francisco. No reason to create a nationwide distribution market - nobody wants one in Texas - just stick to the major East/West coast urban markets, and 20,000 sales is very reachable, as long as the price is right (sub-$15k).
gbh @ Jun 6th 2006 12:44PM
Yeah, DCX will make a decision based on how much money they think they can make, yanking the rug out from under ZAP (the only current big federalization importer). It is simply amazing that DCX has any doubts at all the car would sell. GM sells the f'n Aveo for god's sake. You think the light-years better, safer Smart won't move 50K units in a blink? Huh?
I had a CDN plated ForTwo following me for about 200 miles on HWY 80 last week. Seemed to hold it's own just fine at the 85 MPH the pack was traveling.
This is a lot like how MB handled the (real) G-Wagen. From the early 80's till around late 90's, the only place you could get a G-Wagen was Europa motors (tiny little MB dealer in Santa Fe NM). Even though MB said for years that there was no point to bringing G-Wagens here, obviously they decided that after somebody else built a following, maybe they would jump on in.
In DCX's defense, Smart is not doing very well in the EU and may be killed or sold any day. So I can understand a certain level of hesitation to introduce them here.
Ryan @ Jun 6th 2006 12:45PM
"DaimlerChrysler "leaning toward" launching Smart in the U.S."
DiamlerChrysler needs to shut the f*ck up until they actually do something with this brand in terms of the US market.
Jim @ Jun 6th 2006 12:53PM
Most ridiculous thing I have seen in a while. What are the crash test ratings on these go-karts? LOL
http://www.sbftech.com
Arash @ Jun 6th 2006 12:57PM
The Smart did not sell well in Europe because it is too expensive compared to the competition and does not have a great milage usage.
Even here in Europe people find it too small, I will be suprised if this sells well in the US, where people like big cars.
Rob Lowe @ Jun 6th 2006 12:59PM
They're popular in Vancouver also and suprisingly roomy with comfortable interiors
John B @ Jun 6th 2006 12:59PM
Jim:
Do some searching on the internet. There are several good videos available including one where a Smart car is crashed into a concrete barrier at 70 mph. It's hard to see anyone surviving such a crash regardless of the vehicle but the passenger cell remained intact after the crash - I believe the passenger's door opened and closed properly.
Peter @ Jun 6th 2006 1:07PM
Smarts are a wierd fashion statement. I can't find the link, but read somewhere that smart didn't do very well in real world gas mileage, not to mention taking 20sec to get up to 60mph.
I think a toyota Yaris is better/cheaper and probably gets close in gas mileage, and doesn't look like a circus clown car.
David Lazarus @ Jun 6th 2006 1:09PM
This is from a UK car review guide http://www.carpages.co.uk/guide/smart/smart-fortwo-guide.asp
The fortwo model range lies within the price bracket of £6,810 - £14,620. The smart fortwo has been awarded a three star NCAP crash test rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme out of a possible five stars. Based on this NCAP rating the fortwo fairs ok in an accident having been given a reasonable result. smart fortwo insurance groups start at group 1 and rise to group 8. Base models are (group 1 and 2 cars are the cheapest to insure) very cheap to insure, whilst the higher specification cars are below average to insure.
JayP @ Jun 6th 2006 1:13PM
Hopefully Project Kimber will bring the roadster to the US as the MG Midget.
As for the last remaining Smart car... why bother?
Corey W. @ Jun 6th 2006 1:20PM
I'd hate to be in an accident in a Smart.
Charles S @ Jun 6th 2006 1:24PM
David Lazarus:
Thank you for the informative post.
Clarence @ Jun 6th 2006 1:30PM
It needs to get better gas mileage than anything else to sell and that includes hybrids. When the Rambler (small for the times) was introduced in 1950, it was a sporty convertible. It was a great success. The first Smart here should be a trend setter sporty car, not just another goofy little car. By the way, I'm looking for a nice Suzuki X-90.
Proud Japanese @ Jun 6th 2006 1:36PM
I am surprised that obese Americans can even fit in a smart.
Shannon @ Jun 6th 2006 1:52PM
These things are all over Germany. I was there for a study abroad program in 2001. You couldn't walk a block without seeing 3. They're all over the Audobon.
I did a study and report for my marketing class about introducing the SMART car in the US market. I think Daimler must have found my report. LOL!
Seriously, though. It's a good car for heavy city areas. LA, San Fransisco, Miami, New York are good markets. Pizza chains should consider buying fleets of these for delivery cars. They're perfect for that.
I was really hoping that Daimler buying Chrysler would be good for the Chrysler line. You'd think those German engineers could show Chrysler how to make a transmission that doesn't leak!
Howard Kerr @ Jun 6th 2006 1:59PM
A.) I AM REALLY TIRED OF READING THESE "WE ARE ABOUT TO MAKE A DECISION ON SMART, ANYDAY, STORIES....are you listening AutoBlog?
B.) Here's what Car magazine had to say about the ForTwo (all the other models have recently been axed):
For: Funky, small
Against: Horrible gearchange
Verdict: Image first, everything else some way behind
VW-Guy @ Jun 6th 2006 1:59PM
"By the way, I'm looking for a nice Suzuki X-90."
Those things weren't nice when new, what makes them nice now?
"suprisingly roomy with comfortable interiors"
What do you have for transportation now, a bus pass? This thing is a 2 seater. Most motorcycles with saddlebags have more trunk than this car. Sheesh, most bicycles with panniers have more trunk than this. I'll even say most trekking backpacks have more trunk than a Smart.
Howard Kerr @ Jun 6th 2006 2:02PM
Oh, and for gas mileage fanatics, depending on the tune of the engine, Smarts get a fuel rating in the U.K. of 51 to 60 miles to a gallon. Of course, the most fuel-efficient models take MORE than 15 seconds to hit 60 mph.