Posted on 12/04/2007 1:36:45 PM PST by Red Badger
German car maker Daimler said Tuesday that next month's launch of its tiny Smart car in the United States will unleash such stiff demand the company will have trouble meeting it.
We will not be able to meet demand thus far" for 2008, Daimler chairman Dieter Zetsche said here at a news briefing.
More than 30,000 US customers have put down 99-dollar deposits to reserve one of the fuel-saving, two-seat Smart Fortwo, which will begin arriving in the massive US market in January, he said.
"Down payments are going far beyond the production capacity we have," the chairman said, without providing a sales forecast for the US market.
Many analysts question the ability of the super-small Smart, which measures a mere 2.5 meters (eight feet) in length, to succeed in the country of hulking gasoline-guzzling vehicles.
"Times have changed," Zetsche said, pointing to growing concerns of American consumers about global warming.
The Smart Fortwo will be marketed via 70 dealerships in the leading US cities, the company said.
In its most basic version, the micro car will sell for 11,590 dollars, excluding tax. The company said that a Smart equipped with all the options was expected to cost some 20,000 dollars, including tax.
"We are not looking for customers looking for the cheapest vehicle," Zetsche said.
Daimler clearly signaled it was aiming to emulate Apple's success with electronics gadgets in the US market.
"Like owning an Apple i-Mac, i-Pod or i-Phone, Smart documents the open-minded attitude of the 'thought leaders,' who choose innovative solutions as an existential part of their everyday lives," the company said in a press brochure.
It actually looks pretty cool...
Sorry, I prefer not to be emasculated by my vehicle.
death by UPS trucks, forget about 18 wheelers they would not notice.
This would be great on the golf course...
Future Rush Headline:
Jaywalker kills Smart Car.
Out of control bicycle smashes Smart Car.
Smart Car wreck, dog okay.
Evil SUV’s all over America are licking their headlights...
Just put some bronze handles on the sides and get 6 to lower it in the hole.
“Like owning an Apple i-Mac, i-Pod or i-Phone, Smart documents the open-minded attitude of the ‘thought leaders,’ who choose innovative solutions as an existential part of their everyday lives,”
ooookaaaaaaaaaayy............
Dieter Zetsche was the genius behind the merger of Chrysler and Daimler...
And we all know how well that worked out.
These Smart Cars?
Ehh... Just a toy.
First thing that came to mind after seeing the pic.....
Speedbump.
For the UPS truck.
I can’t find the mileage these things get. I also think I should be allowed to drive it directly into Target and use it as my cart.
Possibly a commuter vehicle, but useless for anybody with kids. IIRC, its mileage is about comparable to regular-sized diesel-powered vehicles.
“who choose innovative solutions as an existential part of their everyday lives,”
It’s a German company, somethings just don’t translate well.
Did not mention how many were sold through Europe and the safety history.
the title managed to get the term hugh and tiny in one sentence
Useless for big/tall people and is also a death trap.
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