Autoblog

Though Men's Vogue has already attempted to disprove the theory that only women can get away with driving one, it seems that smart has seen the need to dispel some rumors about the fortwo, their little urban runabout. Specifically, many people apparently question how large of a person the smart can easily handle, how safe a car this small could be, how much room there is for stuff and what features the fortwo is equipped with. In all honesty, the smart would probably work for a large percentage of the population of both the U.S. and the U.K., but certainly not for every situation likely to come up in everyday life. As a second car or strictly for commuting, we imagine that the smart would meet the needs of quite a few drivers who would never even consider a vehicle this small.

Just for fun, why not check out the truth about smart here. Even if you hate the car, you may enjoy seeing it mildly-mangled by a wrecking ball.

[Source: the truth about smart]

For a few years now, we've debated whether or not Mercedes-Benz would be bringing its entry-level A-Class or the slightly bigger B-Class to the States. Fine cars both, but how well they'd fit into M-B's luxury image was a big question mark. Well, according to Bloomberg, DaimlerChrysler AG has made a decision. Mercedes is indeed planning on bringing the new B Stateside. Benz officials said the company is designing a North American version of the car for the first time. So that's the good news. The bad news is that it will likely be 2011 or 2012 before that model is set for replacement, which is most likely when our version will appear.

Bigger than an Aveo but smaller than a Corolla, this B-Class mini-crossover would join a segment of luxury-economy cars that includes the Audi A3 and upcoming BMW 1-Series. Even with recent dips in gas prices, high mileage vehicles seem like they will be a more popular choice for buyers for years to come. The current B, although not a huge seller, is already available in Canada, so Mercedes has some data on whether or not it might work. But with such a long lead time, anything can happen, and there's still a chance M-B could reconsider. We say bring it on. Who wouldn't want the Mercedes of economy cars? That is unless a smart car makes enough sense for your needs.

[Source: Bloomberg]

SMART announced today that it will premiere a new SMART fortwo EV at next week's British Motor Show. Up to 200 of the electric microcars will be built and delivered to the UK, which will serve as the trial market for the "green" vehicle.

The fortwo EV has 30-kilowatts of power, which gives it more zip in normal everyday driving than its gasoline-powered sibling. 0-30 mph arrives in 6.5 seconds, and it tops out at 70 mph. Fully charged, it has a 70-mile operating range.

If the UK trial is a success, one has to believe that "green vehicle" aficionados here in the US will be clamoring for DaimlerChrysler to import the EV in addition to the conventionally-powered fortwo. Furthermore, because the SMART isn't a wildly bizarre-looking oddity like some of the other pure EVs available today, it's more likely that people who normally wouldn't consider an EV will take a second look at the SMART. This'll be interesting to watch.

(More info after the jump)

[Source:DaimlerChrysler]

AutoWeek spent a few days with the Mitsubishi i, the company's new microcar, in its native environ of Tokyo, Japan. While acknowledging some problems (seats designed for smaller frames, some ride discipline issues), the magazine came away impressed with its diminutive packaging, nippy handling, and amount of standard equipment.

AW indicates that Mitsubishi has brought over a pair of testers Stateside to see how the urban runabout fairs on North American roads.

Does this presage a move by Mitsubishi to sell the i in the U.S.? Given the company's precarious financial situation and ailing reputation, Autoblog's take is that this is highly unlikely. That said, we can certainly see a market for a vehicle like this in crowded city centers. With rising gas prices and the increasing hip-quotient of small cars in the U.S, thanks to vehicles like the MINI Cooper and Scion xB, a distinctive and thrifty motoring experience might just sell Americans.

[Source: AutoWeek]

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]

DaimlerChrysler is still deciding whether or not to bring the brand to the U.S. and a recent Forbes article quotes Klaus Maier, head of sales and marketing at Mercedes Car Group, as saying, "I expect that we will make a final decision in June."

Meanwhile, Zap began importing SMART cars in the U.S. back in March. So, do you think that billboard from South Africa will play in Peoria?

[Source: Forbes via eMercedesBenz]

DaimlerChrysler's quirkly little MINI-fighting brand might break even for the first time in its existence, according to the company. Less has been more, evidently, with all of the nipping and tucking going on in the company's ranks and product lineup in an effort to narrow down the losses.

Big news for the brand lately has been whether it's going to make an appearance on the auction block -- DCX hired Goldman Sachs to help it court potential suitors, but cancelled the ask (according to Handelsblatt, anyway) unexpectedly. Sounds like SMART will stick around for the time being.

Well, the rumor is now reality - DaimlerChrysler has agreed in principle to sell the rights to the Smart roadster to the British 'Project Kimber' consortium headed by David James. James' group has apparently signed a memorandum of understanding with DaimlerChrysler that covers both the rights to produce the roadster and DaimlerChrysler's production equipment for the car.

It's probably fitting that the country that brought us the Spridget should be the new home for this 21st century mini-roadster.