Posted on 06/05/2006 1:50:58 PM PDT by Dark Skies
FRANKFURT — DaimlerChrysler is leaning toward launching its Smart minicar in the United States, DaimlerChrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said in a newspaper interview on Sunday.
"At the moment, the tendency is clearly positive," Zetsche said in an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.
A final decision on whether to sell the car in the United States will be taken this month, he said.
Zetsche repeated that he expected the loss-making Smart unit to turn a profit in 2007.
Smart is focusing on building only a two-seat model after deciding to scrap its slow-selling four-seater earlier this year.
The unit, which has been restructuring to stem losses, had already dropped its roadster model a year ago and also abandoned plans for a Smart offroader.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I saw these in Europe in Nov 2004. They park them sideways between regular size cars. They're made by Swatch and Beemer, I think...
They need to get a waiver from the EPA that allows you to be buried in the thing when you get run down by a hostile SUV.
At 60 mpg (I hear), they would be great for round town. But I wouldn't take one on a busy freeway.
My SUV would eat that, and still be hungry.
Does the car come with a Psychologist to help the Owner get over feelings of Embarrassment ???
Looks like it wants to tip over.
They are neat little machines and work well for a lot of people in Europe. One of these would be great if I lived in a city like DC or NY where parking is next to impossible in places. For anywhere else it makes no sense in the US. I'd never take one out on the highway.
I have this uncomfortable feeling the headroom is too little.
Somebody where I work has one, it's uglier in person. It's purely a smug-mobile, for days when he wants everyone to know how environmentally conscious he is (as opposed to when he's driving his Mercedes when he just wants us to know how much he gets paid).
I wrecked a Camaro once and it wound up about that same size...
Birth Control for 16 year old males....how about that!
HAAAAAA! LOLOLOLOL! Hoo hoo! ROTFLMAO!!!!! [snicker!]
"Happy birthday, son, and if you keep your grades up, next year I'll buy you the other half."
I'd also be interested in a lighter, more fuel efficient, American made VW Diesel Golf.
All the safety of being on a motorcycle, except without the helmet and without the acceleration to get out of a jam.
No thanks.
but, will it make it up my driveway (800 ' of packed ice, uphill), or do I have to carry it?
Looks like a phone booth on wheels.
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