Who will sell Smart in the U.S.?
DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche thinks that's the big question as the company readies the Smart ForTwo city car for sale in the U.S.
In a German magazine interview, Zetsche openly said that the company is looking for a U.S. retail partner, stating "The sales network is decisive...It is certain that we want to cooperate with a third party."
Although Mercedes-Benz Canada has been selling all the ForTwo's it can get its hands on since the brand's Canadian launch in late 2004, Zetsche doesn't think that solution will work in the U.S., perhaps concerned that adding Smart would dilute the luxury-market positioning of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
Dodge is the most likely DaimlerChrysler candidate to get Smart, but Zetsche doesn't think it's good fit, possibly thinking that the premium city car wouldn't fit well in the small car part of Dodge's product portfolio. The entry-level price for the ForTwo in Canada is about $15,000 USD.
Despite the distribution channel conundrum, Zetsche remains confident that DaimlerChrysler will find a way to sell the Smart in the U.S.
Us? Given DCX's recent tie-up with Volkswagen, we'd like to see them resurrect the fortunes of VW's killer ZX-3 trike, and pair it with Smart in some sort of alternative sales channel, perhaps partnering with a motorcycle or scooter outfit.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
steve s 2:10PM (6/08/2006)
I know it's a city car and all but I just can't imageine what happens to one when it's plowed by a Suburban or H2 on an interstate.
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Mal Fuller 2:14PM (6/08/2006)
How 'bout selling them at Wal sMart or K sMart or even Toys R Us!
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Trevor 2:14PM (6/08/2006)
In a perfect world, Cadillac would actually be a good fit for a distribution channel, but I doubt DCX and GM would play well together.
As for the crash thing, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXnW_Me-w5w
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Steve 2:30PM (6/08/2006)
No way, it's gonna be jeep, no question.
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Glenn A. 2:30PM (6/08/2006)
Well, here's a "novel" idea.
Since ZAP cars already sell Federalized SMART cars in the United States, despite DCX turning their back on SMART and not officially sanctioning this at the current time, why not have these two kiss & make up?
Maybe ZAP and DCX could co-own a SMART distribution network in the United States.
There's a ready-made dealership network ready to go - GM yanked the rug out from under Daewoo USA, which still exists. It's for sale, I understand. Has 250-300 US dealers ready to go, too.
Just a thought.
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Bob 2:32PM (6/08/2006)
Its should be sold at Mercedes or Chrysler dealers to get the same halo effect that Mini gets from being sold at BMW dealers.
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KazO 2:38PM (6/08/2006)
I agree with 5. They might want to do what BMW did and require a standalone showroom, but it doesn't make sense to start an entirely new franchise, nor does it make sense to sell em alongside non-premium product lines.
FWIW, I saw a ForTwo this morning with distributor plates, and a Roadster this past Saturday with some surfer dude behind the wheel (didn't see the plate)
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Lee 2:40PM (6/08/2006)
How about NOBODY! There are enough car manufacturers here as it is.
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Typhoid Mary 2:45PM (6/08/2006)
That trunk wouldn't hold my bra and panties.
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Rob Lowe 2:46PM (6/08/2006)
In Canada there is no problem with dilution of the MB brand because they're selling Smart cars out of the same facility. I guess MBAs have to justify their existence somehow and creating non-exitent marketing problems is one of those methods.
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w 2:55PM (6/08/2006)
i say they should start out with a few flagship showrooms in major cities: ny, boston, la, seatle... and go from there. cities are the only place these will sell
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Ryan 2:57PM (6/08/2006)
#9
"That trunk wouldn't hold my bra and panties."
If it takes the entire truck to hold yours, then well, ewwwwwww.
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Fabulo 3:13PM (6/08/2006)
Break the mold. Sell them online. Distribute them through however existing dealers you get.
I know. Not gonna happen.
You can't sell them through MB because the dealers aren't used to high traffic/small cars/cheap cars.
Also for 15g or less, I can get another underpowered car that will sit 4 grown ups. Yaris, Fit, Aveo, Scion xA, xB ...
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John Sellers 3:14PM (6/08/2006)
Living in the Land of the Free, I want a Smart diesel 4-seater, but they'd arrest me at the border for bringing one in.
steve s--I had the same concern, but apparently they are comparably very crash-capable.
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MikeInNC 3:32PM (6/08/2006)
Astounded by that crash footage. 70 to 0 in about 3 inches and the cage survived very well. Amazing.
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Typhoid Mary 3:36PM (6/08/2006)
Ryan,
I'm a big girl and I like my space.
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Jim 3:48PM (6/08/2006)
ridiculous
http://www.sbftech.com
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james f. 3:50PM (6/08/2006)
Why not sell them at a big box retailer? I think partnering with Target would be perfect for this car.
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DJ 3:52PM (6/08/2006)
Most MINI dealer's are located in the same complex as a BMW dealer and I don't see how that has diluted the brand in any way. To the contrary, it's probably brought people into BMW that might not have otherwise stopped there. Of course, then they saw that god foresaken iDrive and bought the MINI for it's shear simplicity......
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DJ 3:52PM (6/08/2006)
Most MINI dealer's are located in the same complex as a BMW dealer and I don't see how that has diluted the brand in any way. To the contrary, it's probably brought people into BMW that might not have otherwise stopped there. Of course, then they saw that god foresaken iDrive and bought the MINI for it's shear simplicity......
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