Autoblog

Missouri Mercedes dealer offering free Smart with every SLS AMG purchase

Jeffrey N. Ross — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Luxury

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT is an exquisite sports car that probably needs no help flying off dealer lots, even with a starting price of almost $200,000, but Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City has come up with an interesting incentive to sweeten the deal. For buyers who purchase a new SLS AMG from dealer stock before the end of the year, the dealership is throwing in a new Smart Fortwo from its inventory at no charge... with a required coupon no less.

In addition to being a great tactic to get a little free press, the spare car also makes sense as an alternative to the SLS, which measures more than 15-feet long - almost twice the length of a Fortwo - and has a 563-horsepower engine that sucks down gas at the rate of 13 miles per gallon in city driving (and even that's provided you don't give in to the devil on your shoulder). Plus, at the end of the day, this really isn't that big of an incentive. Being given a slow-selling $12,490 car for the purchase of a model starting at $199,500 represents about a six percent incentive, which is along the lines of a $1,900 rebate for a $30,000 car.

To get the free Smart, just visit the Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City Facebook page, redeem the coupon and then go buy yourself a new SLS AMG. Congratulations!

Missouri Mercedes dealer offering free Smart with every SLS AMG purchase originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Smart ForTwo gets three bite-size new ads

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Smart

For such a Lilliputian car, the Smart ForTwo has giant staying power. The hatch that still gets wary glances is not only still kicking here in the U.S., it's done ten-straight months of year-on-year sales increases. That kind of sales trend calls for an ad campaign, and we have it in three new 15-second - bite-sized in Smart-speak - commercials.

Two of them, "Tough" and "Joy Ride" have begun running now, the third, "Custom Made," will start airing later this month. They'll be rolled out absolutely everywhere a commercial can be shown, and they'll be joined by banner ads and Facebook activity. We could tell you what the new Smart ads are about, but remember, they're only bite-sized, and you'll find all three just below.

Continue reading 2013 Smart ForTwo gets three bite-size new ads

2013 Smart ForTwo gets three bite-size new ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Squint Really Hard: Smart ForTwo gets modest update

Zach Bowman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Smart, Design/Style

Smart has put the ForTwo under the knife in an attempt to give the maligned A-segment vehicle a few more years of life. The ForTwo now wears a smarter-looking revised fascia with a bolder Smart emblem, more expansive grille and redesigned lower valance. The front clip is paired with more defined rockers and a similarly restyled rear valance. Throw in a few more wheel options and the package helps freshen the vehicle quite a bit. Unfortunately, engineers left the engine bay alone. That means buyers will still be met with the same abysmal engine lineup and automated manual transmission found in the current vehicle.

Smart plans to continue to offer five option packages, including Brabus and Brabus Xclusive. The refreshed ForTwo will land in dealers in the UK in April, with U.S. sales commencing shortly thereafter as a 2013 model.

Word has it the next-generation ForTwo won't see the light of day for another two years at least. Will the 2013 nip/tuck draw enough buyers into show rooms to keep Smart afloat until then? We imagine it won't hurt, but the company is facing increased competition from big players like Scion and Chevrolet, and its sales numbers are terrible to begin with. Vehicles like the the more efficient iQ and the Spark probably won't help the ForTwo's chances. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Squint Really Hard: Smart ForTwo gets modest update

Squint Really Hard: Smart ForTwo gets modest update originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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