Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, SMART
Probably coming near you: A smart dealership
If you're looking forward to buying a smart car this year, chances are you live near a future dealership if you reside in the deep South or on the Plains. Penske Automotive Group, the official distributor of the smart, says 68 dealers in 31 states will be ready for sales at least by February, and most sometime this month. Smart describes its dealerships as having a "distinctive black facade," a showroom in smart black, yellow and white and a smart boutique selling smart-branded merch. It all sounds very smart. The company hopes to have a total of 74 dealers by the fourth quarter of 2008. The final six locations will be in Alabama, California, Mississippi, Nevada and South Carolina. The San Rafael, Calif. location is expected to be the last addition.
As expected, the network will sell three levels of the Smart fortwo, the pure coupe starting at $11,590, the passion coupe at $13,950 and the passion cabriolet at $16,590.
If you want to know exactly how close you live to a future smart dealer, follow the jump where you'll find a list of the first 68 dealers, their addresses and phone numbers.
Gallery: smart fortwo
PRESS RELEASE:
smart USA Announces U.S. Dealer Network
smart fortwo to debut at dealerships beginning this month
Bloomfield Hills, MI (January 14, 2008) – smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG), is pleased to announce its dealership network of 74 smart dealerships across the United States. In the U.S., 68 dealers located in 31 states have been certified by smart USA as ready for business and are expected to begin retailing vehicles in January, subject to licensing and other required approvals. The remaining six dealerships are expected to commence retailing vehicles throughout 2008 upon completion of their facilities and obtaining licensing approval.
"We carefully selected dealers across the country who can best represent the smart brand," said Dave Schembri, president of smart USA. "Each dealer participated in our detailed qualification process, including an assessment of reputation for exceptional customer care. We are very pleased with our dealership network and we welcome our dealers to the smart family."
smart USA dealerships will be branded as "smart center" with the city name (for example – the dealership in Beverly Hills, California will be called - smart center Beverly Hills). The exterior will feature a distinctive black façade with a dramatic entrance featuring the smart logo overhead. Each showroom will showcase multiple vehicles and will sport the brand's signature black, yellow and white logo colors. The ceiling, walls and floor will be brilliant white so the cars are the center of attention on the showroom floor. Other dealership features include open sales consultation stations, a tridion safety cell and a smart boutique where customers may purchase the latest in smart merchandise.
Dealers will sell three trim levels of the smart fortwo. The pure coupe will retail starting at $11,590*, the passion coupe will retail starting at $13,590* and the well-equipped passion cabriolet will retail starting at $16,590*. Complete information about pricing, standard equipment and options can be found at www.smartusa.com.
Anticipated opening dates for authorized smart USA dealerships are indicated below and are subject to change. An updated list of authorized dealerships can be found on the company's website at www.smartusa.com. Please contact each individual dealership for additional information, including exact opening dates.
* Expected prices exclude tax, license, registration, destination charge and options.
Official smart USA Dealers
smart center Chandler – Approx. opening date mid-January
7450 West Orchid Lane
Chandler, AZ 85226
(480) 421-4341
smart center Beverly Hills – Approx. opening date mid-January
9250 Beverly Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 248-4219
smart center Santa Barbara – Approx. opening date mid-January
401 S. Hope Ave
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 563-4206
smart center Laguna Niguel – Approx. opening date mid-January
One Star Drive
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 347-7627
smart center West Covina – Approx. opening date mid-January
2010 East Garvey Avenue South
West Covina, CA 91791
(626) 430-3710
smart center Riverside – Approx. opening date mid-January
8505 Indiana Avenue
Riverside, CA 92504
(951) 688-3332
smart center Universal City – Approx. opening date mid-January
4227 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91603
(818) 762-7875
smart center Sacramento – Approx. opening date mid-January
2625 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
(916) 643-7300
smart center San Francisco – Approx. opening date mid-January
500 8th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 553-4268
smart center San Jose – Approx. opening date mid-January
3940 Stevens Creek Boulevard
San Jose, CA 95129
(408) 247-9034
smart center San Diego – Approx. opening date mid-January
4750 Kearny Mesa Road
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 569-6900
smart center Denver – Approx. opening date in February
2855 S. Broadway
Englewood, CO 80113
(503) 372-7539
smart center Hartford – Approx. opening date mid-January
650 Connecticut Blvd.
East Hartford, CT 06108
(860) 290-6134
smart center Fairfield – Approx. opening date mid-January
80 Commerce Drive
Fairfield, CT 06825
(203) 368-6725
smart center Jacksonville – Approx. opening date mid-January
7018 Blanding Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32244
(904) 726-3359
smart center Sarasota – Approx. opening date mid-January
4821 Clark Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
(941) 924-3019
smart center Weston – Approx. opening date mid-January
3500 Weston Road
Davie, FL 33331
(954) 377-7400
smart center Palm Beach – Approx. opening date mid-January
3974 Okeechobee Blvd.
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561) 248-1186
smart center Coral Gables – Approx. opening date in February
272 Valencia Ave.
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 445-8593 x477
smart center Tampa Bay – Approx. opening date in February
3800 W Hillsborough Ave.
Tampa, FL 33614
(813) 870-0010
smart center Clearwater – Approx. opening date in February
19820 US 19 North
Clearwater, FL 33764
(727) 432-1122
smart center Orlando – Approx. opening date mid-January
8675 Commodity Circle
Orlando, FL 32819
(407) 992-3250
smart center Buckhead – Approx. opening date February
2799 Piedmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 846-3500
smart center Lake Bluff – Approx. opening date mid-January
775 Rockland Road
Lake Bluff, IL 60044
(847) 283-8256
smart center Lincolnwood – Approx. opening date mid-January
4255 West Touhy Avenue
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847) 933-7823
smart center Indianapolis – Approx. opening date mid-January
4000 East 96th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46240
(317) 580-6801
smart center Merriam – Approx. opening date mid-January
9400 West 65th Street
Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 677-3300
smart center Louisville – Approx. opening date mid-January
2400 Blankenbaker Parkway
Louisville, KY 40299
(502) 499-5006
smart center Germantown – Approx. opening date mid-January
19750 Germantown Road
Germantown, MD 20874
(301) 601-5573
smart center Annapolis – Approx. opening date mid-January
324 Sixth Street
Annapolis, MD 21403
(443) 875-0444
smart center Boston – Approx. opening date mid-January
259 McGrath Highway
Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 666-4100
smart center Lynnfield – Approx. opening date mid-January
385 Broadway
Lynnfield, MA 01940
(617) 666-4100
smart center Bloomfield – Approx. opening date mid-January
1765 S. Telegraph
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
(248) 648-2453
smart center Bloomington – Approx. opening date mid-January
Bloomington, MN 55431
(952) 837-6363
smart center Creve Coeur – Approx. opening date mid-January
11830 Olive St. Rd.
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 919-8002
smart center La Vista – Approx. opening date mid-January
7010 S. 124th Circle
LaVista, NE 68128
(402) 339-3131
smart center Englewood – Approx. opening date mid-January
24 Grand Avenue
Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 567-1400
smart center Edison – Approx. opening date mid-January
910 U.S. Route One
Edison, NJ 08817
(732) 549-6600
smart center Cherry Hill – Approx. opening date mid-January
2151 Rte 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
(856) 663-3200
smart center Albuquerque – Approx. opening date mid-January
1220 Renaissance NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
(505) 999-2500
smart center Latham – Approx. opening date mid-January
1111 Troy-Schenectady Road
Latham, NY 12110
(518) 724-1015 x124
smart center Buffalo – Approx. opening date mid-January
8185 Main Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
(716) 633-0088
smart center Manhattan – Approx. opening date mid-January
536 W. 41 Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 629-1610
smart center Roslyn – Approx. opening date mid-January
1600 Northern Blvd.
Roslyn, NY 11576
(516) 625-1600
smart center White Plains – Approx. opening date mid-January
460 Tarrytown Road
White Plains, NY 10607
(917) 817-7944
smart center Smithtown – Approx. opening date mid-January
463 Middle Country Rd.
St. James, NY 11780
(631) 265-2204
smart center South Charlotte – Approx. opening date mid-January
950 N. Polk Street
Pineville, NC 28134
(704) 889-4455
smart center Cary – Approx. opening date mid-January
2400 Auto Park Blvd.
Cary, NC 27511
(919) 876-5432
smart center Winston-Salem - Approx. opening date mid-January
691 Jonestown Road
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
(336) 760-4580
smart center Bedford – Approx. opening date mid-January
99 Broadway
Bedford, OH 44146
(440) 359-1560
smart center Easton – Approx. opening date February
4300 Morse Crossing
Columbus, OH 43219
(614) 291-2007
smart center Tulsa – Approx. opening date mid-January
9393 S. Memorial
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 249-9393
smart center Portland – Approx. opening date mid-January
9215 SW Canyon Road
Portland, OR 97225
(503) 372-7539
smart center Devon – Approx. opening date mid-January
215 West Lancaster Avenue
Devon, PA 19333
(610) 848-7627
smart center Pittsburgh – Approx. opening date mid-January
4709 Baum Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 683-5000
smart center Warwick – Approx. opening date mid-January
1557 Bald Hill Road – 2nd Floor
Warwick, RI 02886
(401) 824-2252
smart center Knoxville – Approx. opening date mid-January
10131 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37922
(865) 777-2222
smart center Dallas – Approx. opening date mid-January
6113 Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, TX 75209
(214) 443-8211
smart center San Antonio – Approx. opening date mid-January
10739 I-H 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78230
(210) 558-1500
smart center Sugar Land – Approx. opening date mid-January
15625 SW Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77478
(281) 207-1550
smart center Houston North – Approx. opening date mid-January
17510 I-45 North
Houston, TX 77090
(972) 628-4652
smart center Round Rock – Approx. opening date mid-January
2132 North Mays – Suite 930
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 493-9122
smart center Lindon – Approx. opening date in February
530 S. Lindon Park Drive
Lindon, UT 84042
(801) 222-4400
smart center Tysons Corner – Approx. opening date mid-January
8601 Westwood Center Dr.
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 564-6400
smart center Alexandria – Approx. opening date mid-January
1605 Fern Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
(703) 647-1276
smart center Virginia Beach – Approx. opening date in February
5193 Virginia Beach Boulevard
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
(757) 490-1111 x2080
smart center Seattle – Approx. opening date mid-January
311 Baker Boulevard
Seattle, WA 98188
(206) 243-1455
smart center Milwaukee – Approx. opening date mid-January
11340 West Metro Blvd.
Neenah, WI 53224
(920) 725-4444
Expected smart center Locations
Birmingham, Alabama - Second Quarter 2008
Torrance, California - Second Quarter 2008
San Rafael, California - Fourth Quarter 2008
Jackson, Mississippi - Second Quarter 2008
Las Vegas, Nevada - Second Quarter 2008
Charleston, South Carolina - Third Quarter 2008
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Benfolio 12:46PM (1/16/2008)
Bergstrom Chevrolet/Hummer has put one up on the corner of thier lot here in Milwaukee, about 1/4 mile from my house.
Been putting it up since fall ended. It's nigh complete.
And yes, it is black.
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Benfolio 12:47PM (1/16/2008)
smart center Milwaukee – Approx. opening date mid-January
11340 West Metro Blvd.
Neenah, WI 53224
(920) 725-4444
I see what you did here: That address is for Milwaukee, not Neenah.
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kevjohn 12:48PM (1/16/2008)
As smart cars go, this one looks pretty stupid.
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LOU 12:53PM (1/16/2008)
Mercedes dealer here in Pittsburgh on Baum Blvd already has signage and displays set up on the 2nd floor of the dealership. Looks like they will be ready to go.
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Justin 9:59AM (1/17/2008)
I saw that too! That's one of their new dealerships too, so I'm wondering if that was planned all along. I drive passed it everyday.
Tom 12:54PM (1/16/2008)
There's one here in Venice, CA that's been open for quite awhile...
Looks like an Apple store...all white and uber modern
...seems like they're trying a bit hard, but I guess indicative of those it indends to draw into a sale.
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Tool 1:03PM (1/16/2008)
I've seen that, too.
It's interesting that smart would put a showroom on Abbot Kinney, which, in my opinion, is a very bohemian area of Los Angeles. Then they put the actual sales outlet at Beverly Hills Mercedes Benz.
If they were looking for buzz, they would have been better off putting a showroom on 3rd Street Promenade, right next to the Apple Store (in what looks to be a soon-to-be open space there).
D_X 7:11PM (1/17/2008)
That is the "Smart House" which is kind of a museum for the Smart brand.
Jeff 12:54PM (1/16/2008)
For the first couple years, they'll sell every one they make.
Look at the interior. What's that, hard plastic? Oh the shame...
They'll still sell every one made. Why? Because some people just have to have the latest fad and some green enviro whack jobs will have to have the "smart" car. I can see the politicians falling over themselves trying to get photo ops with one now.
What a joke.
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MemphisNET 12:57PM (1/16/2008)
The fact that its not a bad little car, is reliable, and inexpensive to purchase and operate has nothing to do with it?
It's not for everyone obviously. I wouldn't buy one - but it doesn't mean its a bad vehicle.
srivendel 12:59PM (1/16/2008)
The real joke is people dismissing a car that serves a very specific purpose very well. Everytime someone bashes an SUV, someone else points out how some people "need" an SUV to haul a big family, tow stuff, etc.
Fair point. But the Smart is also a purpose-driven car. It's like a Suburban in reverse. If your commute doesn't involve freeway travel, it's nearly perfect for one person to drive to work in.
Joke? I don't think so.
tankd0g 1:10PM (1/16/2008)
In Canada initial sales were strong but they soon tapered off, and at first we were able to get the diesel. What they plan to sell in the USA looks like it will cost about as much as a Hyundai and get the milage of a Civic. You'd definitly have to really want one.
psarhjinian 1:34PM (1/16/2008)
The reason they scrapped the diesel was twofold:
* Emissions.
* It was slow as dirt. Now, I'm all for slow and have no problem given Smart's mission, but a lot of people didn't like the Smart CDI's 0-60 time of 16-20 seconds.
The gas engine addresses these two issues. It should do very well fuel economy-wise (it's still a very light car) but the Germans don't do small gasoline engines as well as the Toyota or Honda, so it'll be tricky for them to meet the Yaris' fuel economy.
Gregg 2:10PM (1/16/2008)
Someone get up on the wrong side of bed this AM??
Troy D 12:59PM (1/16/2008)
As we enter the twilight of this decade, the push towards smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles is obvious. But, it seems to me that much more PRACTICAL
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Troy D 1:02PM (1/16/2008)
Much more PRACTICAL vehicles are the ones that are going to sell. After the thrill is gone with this EXPENSIVE toy vehicle, less expensive vehicles that get better mileage are going to do better. It just isn't alot of car for the money, and unless your single, its TOO DAMN SMALL.
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Gregg 2:15PM (1/16/2008)
Feature for feature, you really can't match the price. And most other little cars don't even offer stability control as an option.
geo.stewart 4:46PM (1/16/2008)
i can match the price with any number of vehicles. 14-15K will buy me a lot of another car with the same mileage.
yes, sticker is around 12 but that is sans radio, AC if i remember right. I can get into an Aveo, Focus, Accent for that kind of money.
14 or 15 gets me into a civic, xD, base golf (not that you can afford the service), yaris, fit.
mileage will be about the same on all.
its selling point, size, works in NYC Chitown, LA Boston; not in Knoxville. and 0-60 going up a hill in knoxville will take an hour.
D_X 7:16PM (1/17/2008)
But do any of those cars offer the same environmental impact (or lack of) as the Smart Fortwo?
Check out the Smart USA website and hover over Ecology, then select and read the pages on the links that show up.
The price of the car is worth what it offers from pre-production to the end of it's life. How much waste is created in the production of, or destruction of any of the cars mentioned in your post?
John Johnson 1:08PM (1/16/2008)
I've been following the smart car for some time now. I fail to see a large market for it. Not to say it won't be good for city driving, but I just don't see what good it is. Power steering is something you'd want to have in the city. Add on an extra $450 for that. Anyone who's driven one (read a review) rates the transmission a -2 out of 10.
I'll wait for the Polo, please.
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