Smart USA sells almost 25,000 fortwos in first year
Click above for a high-res gallery Smart fortwo
The Smart fortwo couldn't have come to the United States at a better time. Skyrocketing fuel prices and a dearth of fuel efficient vehicles gave Daimler's Tiny Tim a big push to the tune of 25,000 units for the year, far surpassing Smart's goal of 15,000 units. Smart's success is also another feather in the cap of Roger Penske. Penske is the only US distributor for Smart, with only 74 dealers spanning 35 states, and surprisingly, smart achieved its considerable success without using television as an advertising medium.
The fortwo used an extensive online marketing campaign that included $99 down payments. 100,000 people sent in their checks for $99, and Penske says about 55% of those down payments will result in sales. The Penske Automotive Group is expecting another 25,000 sales for 2009, and six more dealers are going to be added. What's left to be seen is whether the fortwo can sustain success if $2 per gallon gasoline sticks around for an extended period of time.
Gallery: smart fortwo
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dave 8:43AM (1/20/2009)
The Smart isn't meant to be a fuel efficient choice. You can get more room and better fuel economy for the same money.
The Smart was designed for people living in urban settings with super limited parking. In Europe you see Smarts parked with their front bumper to the curb.
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Sea Urchin 8:57AM (1/20/2009)
Smarts are cool, they are what the targeted audience wants, the urban hipsters crowd.
Look no one needs an 8 passenger, V8, 4x4 SUV, but its audience, fat people, people with double chins, small units(you know what i mean), depressed people, buy them because they "fit" their lifestyle.
Flashpoint 9:25AM (1/20/2009)
I think people are confused about what "fuel efficiency" actually means.
Force = Mass X Acceleration.
If you have less mass, you need less force to accelerate that mass.
A Smart for Two is a TINY vehicle that doesn't fit 99% of Americans - and then, only seats two of them.
This isn't efficient, its just small. FUEL EFFICIENCY is a Prius, 2010 Fusion or any other car that comfortably seats 4 (American) adults and gets over 30 mpg City.
Imagine a Chrysler 300 getting 30mpg.
The Smart is SIZE EFFICIENT - that's all.
As for selling 25,000 in one year - its just like Wii selling more units than PS3 and 360. 360 and PS3 COST ALOT MORE !!!
Mr. H 9:56AM (1/20/2009)
Some people do need 8 passenger, V8, 4x4 SUV. Namely people who carry 8 passengers, tow things, and drive off road...
rypt 10:03AM (1/20/2009)
I'm 6ft2, and I can fit just fine in the smart...
Epyx 10:49AM (1/20/2009)
I dont think the 360 costs less than a Wii.
Wii = $250 but you HAVE to buy another controller so add another $50. The you have to get the charger. Then you have to buy a game. It ends up being similar in cost to the 360. The PS3 is way too expensive compared to the 360 that is why it sells poorly. Anyway .... I digress.
The Smart is for the hipster doofus crowd. The same crowd that thinks guys in sagged skinny jeans and Chuck Taylor's look cool. Same people that think PBR Beer is something new. Same people that pay $5 for a cup of coffee. The Smart is the antithesis of the buyer.
Unless you need to part in very small spaces there are way better choices. The care is nothing more than a fashion statement...especially the suburbanites that drive them...hard to justify parking when you have a 3 car garage. The same people would never be seen in a Civic even though it has 4 doors, a bigger trunk, more power, and better MPG.
Hipster doofus indeed.
David 11:34AM (1/20/2009)
Actually, I have only ever seen a Smart parked that way one time. It's hardly common in Europe that I've seen.
I think it's more "hype" than reality.
David 11:37AM (1/20/2009)
flashpoint:
You really believe that 99% of Americans don't fit into a smart?
Have you even sat in one? I'd say that except for EXTREMELY fat people, and EXTREMELY tall people, everyone else would fit EASILY into a Smart.
They are extremely roomy fortwo (sorry, couldn't resist, but it's true!).
They have much more legroom than 99% of SUV's ... is a more accurate statement.
Epyx 11:57AM (1/20/2009)
"They have much more legroom than 99% of SUV's ... is a more accurate statement."
You go after Flashpoint for over generalizing just to make a even more ridicules comment.
Dave 1:59PM (1/20/2009)
David,
Go to Rome.
Judy Zik 5:07PM (1/20/2009)
You are all going on the false assumption that people buy cars based on what they need or what is efficient. The reality is car buyers are more interested in how a car looks and how they think they will look driving it. A Smart might not be as super efficient as it looks but a Prius really isn't that much more efficient that a Corolla or a Civic Hybrid for that matter but driving a Prius is seen as making more of a statement.
Personally I have no interest in the Smart. They are cute and I am glad they have at least finally made cup holders standard but I refuse to reach down to the floor to pick up my coffee cup while I am driving on the highway. Add in a WTF were they thinking transmission and a gas engine now that is even less efficient than the diesel and thanks but no thanks. I would rather buy a Fit.
Keith M 5:13PM (1/20/2009)
Not actually true, the only vehicles that get better mileage than a smart are hybrids costing significantly more. However for nearly the same money you can get a Toyota with nearly 90% the mileage efficiency and a second row of seats. Id be interested in seeing a resale value of the smart vs. the Toyota down the road.
Fully agree that these are very useful in urban areas unmatched by other US vehicles. Front passenger room / comfort exceeds other vehicles in its class and anyone who has either spent 30+ minutes and 5 -10+ frequently looking for a parking spot will understand the value of 8ft overall length.
David 6:49PM (1/20/2009)
Epyx: I drive all manner of SUV's at work, but I have actually rented a Smart in France years ago, so actually, I do know what I'm talking about, and my "generalization" is far more accurate than his, which was completely false.
Dave: You're correct, perhaps. My experience is based on Paris. Rome might have other ... "traditions" with their Smarts.
Dave 9:40PM (1/20/2009)
JUDY!
"You are all going on the false assumption that people buy cars based on what they need or what is efficient. The reality is car buyers are more interested in how a car looks and how they think they will look driving it."
Explain the minivan then! No one thinks they will look good in one!
Galley 8:58AM (1/20/2009)
I'm waiting for the Electric Drive model.
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Kattleox 9:59AM (1/20/2009)
Or for the Hayabusa engine to be an option.
Sean Flanagan 9:03AM (1/20/2009)
I think all 25,000 are in the New York tri-state area. Here in New Jersey, I see about 5 every day, and they're almost never the same one.
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michael pettibone 9:12AM (1/20/2009)
Cheap gas is causing buyers remorse in a lot of people.I look at the Versa I bought last June and think I could have bought a Mustang! My car is like an S class next to a smart,so I imagine that some owners truly regret that purchase.Those who bought it for attention,however are probably well satisfied.If Toyota brings in the IQ,a real car with grown up dynamics,I predict the end of the Smart in the USA.The Mitsu I,is a very clever four seat on the chassis of the original Smart and has enjoyed huge sales in Japan -build something like that please!
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Einwiwi 9:35AM (1/20/2009)
I had the opportunity to drive a Smart already and I do not see why the iQ should be better than the Smart. Because of the one baby-seat more, which I do not need? The iQ will be even more expensive.
John Johnson 9:28AM (1/20/2009)
They're a superb car, if you live/drive in the city only.
I live in NC. I freaking HATE how everyone thinks they want one for their 30 minute highway commute @75mph. They just don't get it.
Why is America so freakin retarded >.
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