Zetsche: U.S. demand for Smart exceeds supply
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Zetsche: U.S. demand for Smart exceeds supply
Zetsche: U.S. demand for Smart exceeds supply
Harry Stoffer
Automotive News
December 4, 2007 - 12:02 pm ET
UPDATED: 12/4/07 2:37 p.m. EST
WASHINGTON — More than 30,000 Americans have put down deposits for Smart cars in advance of the brand’s formal U.S. launch next month, Daimler AG executives said today.
The first-year demand will exceed the number of cars that will be built for the United States, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said at a breakfast meeting with reporters. He and other executives declined to forecast sales.
Zetsche said the Smart ForTwo -- a tiny two-seater with a 1-liter engine that gets as much as 45 mpg -- will be more than a fad. More consumers will want a fun, safe car that is economical to drive, has low greenhouse gas emissions and is easy to park, he said.
“The only vehicle I privately own is a Smart,” Zetsche said.
He said Daimler wants to partner with a U.S. city for a test of all-electric Smart cars, just as it has done with London and will do with a city in France.
He also hinted that a diesel-powered Smart will come to the United States, but he said Daimler will move cautiously before trying other body types.
While in Washington, Zetsche also gave a luncheon address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was scheduled to meet later in the day with top White House officials -- but not with President Bush.
Smart to dealerships in 1Q
After a series of missteps and a major restructuring this year, Daimler’s Smart subsidiary should be profitable in 2008, Zetsche said.
Smart USA, a division of Penske Automotive Group, is distributing Smart ForTwos. Daimler executives said today that 50 dealerships will be open for the Smart launch.
There will be 65 U.S. dealerships by the end of the first quarter and 74 by the end of 2008, officials said. Thirty-three of those stores will be “co-located” with Mercedes-Benz franchises, said Smart USA President David Schembri.
Nine of the dealerships are Penske-owned, said Anders Sundt Jensen, head of global marketing for Smart. He declined to predict total Smart production next year.
The United States is the 37th country in which Smarts will be sold. Globally, more than 770,000 Smarts have been sold in 10 years.
Harry Stoffer
Automotive News
December 4, 2007 - 12:02 pm ET
UPDATED: 12/4/07 2:37 p.m. EST
WASHINGTON — More than 30,000 Americans have put down deposits for Smart cars in advance of the brand’s formal U.S. launch next month, Daimler AG executives said today.
The first-year demand will exceed the number of cars that will be built for the United States, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said at a breakfast meeting with reporters. He and other executives declined to forecast sales.
Zetsche said the Smart ForTwo -- a tiny two-seater with a 1-liter engine that gets as much as 45 mpg -- will be more than a fad. More consumers will want a fun, safe car that is economical to drive, has low greenhouse gas emissions and is easy to park, he said.
“The only vehicle I privately own is a Smart,” Zetsche said.
He said Daimler wants to partner with a U.S. city for a test of all-electric Smart cars, just as it has done with London and will do with a city in France.
He also hinted that a diesel-powered Smart will come to the United States, but he said Daimler will move cautiously before trying other body types.
While in Washington, Zetsche also gave a luncheon address at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was scheduled to meet later in the day with top White House officials -- but not with President Bush.
Smart to dealerships in 1Q
After a series of missteps and a major restructuring this year, Daimler’s Smart subsidiary should be profitable in 2008, Zetsche said.
Smart USA, a division of Penske Automotive Group, is distributing Smart ForTwos. Daimler executives said today that 50 dealerships will be open for the Smart launch.
There will be 65 U.S. dealerships by the end of the first quarter and 74 by the end of 2008, officials said. Thirty-three of those stores will be “co-located” with Mercedes-Benz franchises, said Smart USA President David Schembri.
Nine of the dealerships are Penske-owned, said Anders Sundt Jensen, head of global marketing for Smart. He declined to predict total Smart production next year.
The United States is the 37th country in which Smarts will be sold. Globally, more than 770,000 Smarts have been sold in 10 years.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,468
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
we've had them in canada for at least a yr now [maybe 2?] and i gotta say, if u live in a big city centre then they are quite perfect, they seriously fit everywhere ... but i cant imagine doing an actual commute in one
further to that ... what about the other smart models?
the forfour
and more importantly, the roadster
i think these might have much more north american appeal than the fortwo since the resemble something north americans are already familiar with and accustomed to
further to that ... what about the other smart models?
the forfour
and more importantly, the roadster
i think these might have much more north american appeal than the fortwo since the resemble something north americans are already familiar with and accustomed to
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,331
Likes: 210
From: Miami, Florida
Forfour I actually see more of around here in Mexico where were first had Smart as a gray market import with service by of all places Midas, and then Mercedes stepped up and that is where you buy them. Not much horsepower, lousy suspension for Mexico City (but I can say that about a lot of vehicles here, even my own RX has its issues), but quite economical in the long run.
My uncle did an oil change on a Roadster a few weeks ago. Can be mistaken for a Lotus down here at some angles.
My uncle did an oil change on a Roadster a few weeks ago. Can be mistaken for a Lotus down here at some angles.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,192
Likes: 3
From: none
we've had them in canada for at least a yr now [maybe 2?] and i gotta say, if u live in a big city centre then they are quite perfect, they seriously fit everywhere ... but i cant imagine doing an actual commute in one
further to that ... what about the other smart models?
the forfour
and more importantly, the roadster
i think these might have much more north american appeal than the fortwo since the resemble something north americans are already familiar with and accustomed to
further to that ... what about the other smart models?
the forfour
and more importantly, the roadster
i think these might have much more north american appeal than the fortwo since the resemble something north americans are already familiar with and accustomed to
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,472
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
What's the difference?
Seriously, I have the Smart for Two on my review list. I want to see how it handles typical American driving conditions, and there seems to be some interest in it with high gas prices. But at first glance, the Smart for Two version seems too small for American roads, and even with M-B's renowned crash-safety engineering, strikes me as a rolling coffin. And you can get the equivalent mileage (40 MPG-plus) with VW diesels and the Civic/Prius Hybrids that are much more substantial cars. Still, the car merits a review, although the supply-demand situation might mean a wait for an unsold one. They won't even be released in my area till late January or February.....just in time for the DC Auto Show.
Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 12, 2007 at 02:43 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: WA
What's the difference?
Seriously, I have the Smart for Two on my review list. I want to see how it handles typical American driving conditions, and there seems to be some interest in it with high gas prices. But at first glance, the Smart for Two version seems too small for American roads, and even with M-B's renowned crash-safety engineering, strikes me as a rolling coffin. And you can get the equivalent mileage (40 MPG-plus) with VW diesels and the Civic/Prius Hybrids that are much more substantial cars. Still, the car merits a review, although the supply-demand sutuation might mean a wait for an unsold one. They won't even be released in my area till late January or February.....just in time for the DC Auto Show.
Seriously, I have the Smart for Two on my review list. I want to see how it handles typical American driving conditions, and there seems to be some interest in it with high gas prices. But at first glance, the Smart for Two version seems too small for American roads, and even with M-B's renowned crash-safety engineering, strikes me as a rolling coffin. And you can get the equivalent mileage (40 MPG-plus) with VW diesels and the Civic/Prius Hybrids that are much more substantial cars. Still, the car merits a review, although the supply-demand sutuation might mean a wait for an unsold one. They won't even be released in my area till late January or February.....just in time for the DC Auto Show.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ju6t-yyoU8s
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,472
Likes: 252
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
My point exactly. You can't overrule the laws of physics. All else equal, the smaller, lighter vehicle, especially in a head-on crash like this, is going to come out second-best.
And I mentioned in my first post that I had reservations about the safety of the Smart Car in a serious impact.....the video pretty much backs that up.
And I mentioned in my first post that I had reservations about the safety of the Smart Car in a serious impact.....the video pretty much backs that up.
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