Hertz will rent electric Smart car fortwo

Los Angeles Times ^ | December 6, 2010 | Jerry Hirsch

[epithermal]

Car-rental giant Hertz Corp. said it planned to offer the Smart fortwo electric vehicle as part of a car-sharing program in three metropolitan areas starting later this month.

Hertz will make the tiny vehicle -– a two-seater smaller than a Mini or even the new Fiat 500 that’s about to hit the U.S. auto market -– as part of the Connect by Hertz car-sharing program in New York later this month. It is part of an effort by Hertz to offer a variety of electric and plug-in hybrids worldwide.

[epithermal]

Batteries not included

[ReverendJames]

Charged using coal or oil fired electric plants.

[Lazlo in PA]

I see you posted a life size pic of the car as well.

I hope they have their tow trucks gassed up. I bet every one of these will be run out of a charge and left at the side of the road.

[bwc2221]

My guess is that Smart just about gave these cars to Herta. Sales have been horrible, mileage isn’t that good and they cost about the same as a Honda Fit. Why would anyone ever buy one?

[hadaclueonce]

Thanks for the life size pic!

Big Al would never fit in that baby.

[epithermal]

Sorry about the huge pic, I went to put a smaller one in and thought I hit edit, but it posted instead. At least with this pick you can try it on for size before you buy!

[Inyo-Mono]

Haven’t seen a pic that big posted on FR since the late ‘90s.

[old and tired]

My guess is that Smart just about gave these cars to Herta. Sales have been horrible, mileage isn’t that good and they cost about the same as a Honda Fit. Why would anyone ever buy one?

I bet you're right. I've been saying the same thing since I first saw one. There are quite a few cars with twice the room that get about the same gas mileage. That cost less.

[packrat35]

[dools0007world]

Wait’ll the first one gets squashed by a garbage truck or 18-wheeler. Let the law suits begin. I can hear it now: “But you should have told me I had no chance in that car when hit by ________________ (fill in the blank”.

I wonder if Hertz realy understands its customer base. Or has it just put it out of mind to “go green” and suck up to the Usurping Marxist occuying the WH. Most people and businesses renting cars want one that is safe, comfortable and reasonably easy on gas. They’re not interested in driving a car for a week and/or hundreds of miles that was built for a midget.

As someone has already said there are a number of alternative cars out there that are great on gas and cost under $18,000. Of course, The Marxist Onada is trying to herd us to these “green” and expensive pieces of crap by insuring we remain dependent on foreigh countries for most of our petroleum products. Thus, upwardly soaring gasoline prices. He recons if he can the cost/gal. to about $5 we’ll be forced to buy the “green” cars.

Glad I don’t have stock in Hertz—or any “green” company. Those outfits are in kookoo land.

[Mmogamer]

Death trap on wheels.

[NonValueAdded]

Sheesh, that 2 MB image is bigger than the damned car. May I introduce you to the width=nn and height=nn parameters of the image tag?

<img src="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0147e06c3e14970b-pi" width=420 height=340>

BTW, that is the model I call the "coffin"

[lacrew]

“I hope they have their tow trucks gassed up. I bet every one of these will be run out of a charge and left at the side of the road.”

8.8 ft long x 5.1 ft long, and 1,852 lbs...I think I can get these in a pickup truck. I see a business opportunity.

BTW, the electric version will be 40 hp, max speed 70 mph, goes 0-30 in 6.5 seconds....so I might accidentally run over a few.

[wolf78]

My guess is that Smart just about gave these cars to Herta. Sales have been horrible, mileage isn’t that good and they cost about the same as a Honda Fit. Why would anyone ever buy one?

I have driven a Smart and I can tell you: It's a really bad automobile (harsh ride, nervous steering, nonsensical gearbox). However, it's the world's most glorious scooter (dry, comfortable seats, storage space, iPod connectivity). In a city like Rome, Paris or New York it's probably the only vehicle you can find a parking space for, meaning as a mode of transportation it's more useful than full-size cars.

It's not a good choice for 97% of the population. It is for the remaining 3% or so. But I guess most New Yorkers just take public transportation anyway.

[DaxtonBrown]

[Hertz will make the tiny vehicle -– a two-seater smaller than a Mini or even the new Fiat 500 that’s about to hit the U.S. auto market ]

It will be an even tinier model once it hits an American AUTO! My 4000 lb ‘57 Bel Air would eat one of these for lunch, I’d be picking it off the grill like lettuce off my teeth.

[wolf78]

Death trap on wheels.

Compared to the original Mustang it's actually a pretty safe car. I'd still like to drive a 60s Mustang. I don't care much for the wussification of the public and nanny-statism.

[Revolting cat!]

There is also an economy version, which you can rent for a little less, called Halfsmart.

[ReverendJames]

I don’t even like the look of the the thing. In Holland the kids there dump them in the canal.

[DaxtonBrown]

[Compared to the original Mustang it’s actually a pretty safe car.]

I have a 67 Camaro. Swap out the brakes to disc and you are back in business.

[epithermal]

I am so embarrassed ;>). See my post #6 above for explanation. I did a preview and realized it was too large, but when I hit edit it posted (honest).

Do you know is there a way to ask admin to kill it?