Filed under: Economy, Plants/Manufacturing, SMART
Dr. Z says demand for smart in U.S. exceeds supply
click above image for more pics of the US-spec smart fortwo
Daimler exec extraordinaire, Dieter Zetsche, sat down with reporters for a breakfast meeting earlier today and discussed the future of the smart brand here in the States. As we're well aware, over 30,000 consumers have put down deposits for the smart before it comes to market next month, and according to Dr. Z, demand will exceed the number of smarts destined for U.S. shores. At the same time, however, he didn't want to give exact figures on how many smarts Daimler expects to sell in 2008.
The talks also centered on the future of smart in the States, including the possibility of diesel-powered fortwos and the testing of a fleet of all-electric smarts in an unnamed urban city, similar to a program in London.
Daimler has 65 dealerships lined up to sell smarts in the U.S., with another nine due to go live before the end of next year. Thirty-three of the stores will be "co-located" within existing Mercedes-Benz franchises, which is similar to how BMW originally launched the MINI brand across the globe.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
VP 2:38PM (12/04/2007)
Shouldn't all of the dealerships be "co-located" with Mercedes Benz? What exactly is a stand alone dealer going to do after he sold his allotment?
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Peter 2:43PM (12/04/2007)
He'll take orders for more, or he'll close the suitcase the cars came in and go about his merry way. ;)
Tricky dicky 3:00PM (12/04/2007)
Mercedes no doubt can't bring themselves to cheapen their image with smarts. I would think if they can sell their allotments ongoing and make good coin on the service side then they have a great problem to worry about.
What kills me is daimler talks of smart as a long term money losing entity so we'll see if that changes. Oh well more money for mother daimler to swipe and reclass to the luxury division whilst casting the low end brands as the whipping boys. lol.
Thirty-Nine 2:46PM (12/04/2007)
Let the über mark-ups begin! I can only imagine how much these little guys are going to go for until demand slows.
smart 11:41PM (1/09/2008)
Thanks for creating this great article on the smart, I would like to personally invite you to the new smart site just launched.
The new smart website is focused on the 451 smart fortwo ( 2008 smart car ) and its web address is: http://www.451s.com
451s.com was created to help bring together worldwide smart owners and smart enthusiasts. While this site is focused on the 451 smart fortwo sold in America and Canada it is open to all smart's and the worldwide smart community.
http://www.451s.com
Steven 2:48PM (12/04/2007)
I saw a Smart driving around in San Jose last weekend. It was literally spewing black smoke from its tailpipe every time it took off from an intersection. Haha, love it.
I've also heard that if you open the door too fast, it tips over.
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Jackie B. 2:53PM (12/04/2007)
There's a few here in Canada and no they don't belch black smoke.
Gregg 2:53PM (12/04/2007)
That was a diesel, probably via Canada. The diesel won't be sold here until there's a clean version for all 50 states. As for your door comment, ha ha. It's an urban conveyance, and a helluva lot safer one than a motorcycle or scooter. I take it you won't be in the market for one. :)
Pete 2:54PM (12/04/2007)
Are they diesel? What about crash test information?
d_x 8:21PM (12/04/2007)
The states won't be getting a diesel Fortwo to start, but hopefully a diesel option will be added in the coming years.
1 litre 3 cylinder gasoline engine is the only choice for now...
Dan 2:54PM (12/04/2007)
These things are going to sell like hotcakes! Cali and the Eastern cities will be the biggest markets.
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geo.stewart 5:34PM (12/04/2007)
i dont know.
most of the deposits are getting returned after test driving the vehicle. It will be interesting to see the sales figures after 6 mos, once word of mouth has an impact.
jte 2:55PM (12/04/2007)
If only they didnt drop the FourFour and the Roadster. They would have sold much more in the US then in Europe. Maybe they will bring them back for the US market and finally make a Formore too.
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Steven 2:55PM (12/04/2007)
Word is that 3 of these things will fit into the blind spot of a FJ Cruiser...
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Farris 2:58PM (12/04/2007)
Three of almost anything will fit into the blind spot of an FJ Cruiser...
:P
tankd0g 2:57PM (12/04/2007)
I hope they do better in the US than they did in Canada. The novely wore off pretty quickly.
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tankd0g 2:58PM (12/04/2007)
Canada doesn't even have the diesel model anymore either. We have a gasoline version that costs even more, takes premium gas and bearly gets Prius milage. The local Merc dealer has a lot full of them.
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Farris 3:01PM (12/04/2007)
If they had a turbo diesel model out of the gate here in the US, I'd drop my TDI Beetle in a heartbeat for one.
I realize they aren't as safe on the highway (which most of my driving is) as the VeeDub, but I see the smart more like an enclosed, two-seater motorcycle for all weather conditions.
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Alex 3:07PM (12/04/2007)
"I see the smart more like an enclosed, two-seater motorcycle for all weather conditions."
Yeah, except not fun to drive... at all.
Farris 3:11PM (12/04/2007)
@ Alex
Lol. I left that part out on purpose.
I can ride my motorcycle for fun times during the late spring to early fall, minus the hottest days of the summer. For those other days, a smart (which BTW I keep wanting to capitalize into Smart) would come in handy: a roof, heat for winter, maybe A/C for summer, and of course the windows.