A recent article on d-silence.com asked "when is a Smart not the same as a Smart car?" The article, goes on to compare gas mileage stats from the European models and his thoughts on the US Smart's lower mpg. We agree, however what should really be asked is this - why won't Daimler supply the US market with the most up-to-date Smart car automotive technologies? Why does Daimler think the American driving public and the US market are not ready for their most distinguished and economical models? We are referring to the new Daimler and Smart GmbH 2009 Smart Mild Hybrid Drive (MHD) model.

European Smart
Beginning next month all Smarts sold in Europe will be equipped with this MHD version as standard equipment, the most recent addition to the family of Smart cars they are calling the Smart MHD, which has been available in Europe for several months, is now the "standard engine" for all their 2009 models, except for the American market!

This European Smart MHD is expected to get upwards of eight percent improved gas mileage, around 50 to 54 mpg, and highway driving could produce a 20 percent improvement in fuel economy. And what about the 2009 diesel-powered Smart which is also not sold here? It gets an overall rating of 69 mpg and is the leader for all diesels in low CO2 emissions.

No Smart MHD for the US
So the hearsay for now is that we can't have the cost-conscious and more planet-friendly Fortwo MHD model in the US for several years.

In our humble opinion, this is when the Smart is not so Smart!

However, there are always two sides to ever story and some say there are engineering challenges to make this car comply with Department of Transport (DOT) regulations and that these latest drives need Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval before being sold here.

Others advise there is nothing about the MHD system that requires additional EPA or DOT testing and that the MHD technique does nothing to negatively impact emissions - in fact they say the MHD system is all about emissions reduction.

According to Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA, "there are no plans to bring the MHD to the US at this time."

Other sources tell us the Penske Automotive Group (PAG) is evaluating engine options. We can only assume that the importer, Smart USA, has a lot to say about what they are willing to support, and that the manufacturer, Daimler, would gladly offer additional options.

The future of MHD
After several attempts to contact Smart GmbH and Daimler to ask them why this is the case we've received no real answers, only the vague indication that perhaps in a few years these cars will be available here.

So we can only presume the following:

• Smart USA isn't having any trouble selling the older version of the Smart cars in the US so there's no need to offer the new MHD version.
• PAG will eventually introduce some of the optional drives, but not before 2011 as they are contractually obligated to distribute only two models of the Smart with only one power train option (70hp).

The wait for the Smart that is currently sold here is at the least 16 months and Kevin Crosby, brand manager at smart center Easton, part of Germain Motor Co, said "we're all sold out for the foreseeable future!"

By the way, Germain Motor Co has been sold out since their dealership opened back in February. Smart USA (reporting sales of 16,378 cars through August) is owned by PAG and is of course the exclusive seller of the brand in the US.

Berlin e-mobility
Nonetheless Daimler and Smart GmbH continue to make giant steps to lessen demand on crude oil energy. Daimler, Smart GmbH and the RWE Group have undertaken a project christened "Berlin e-mobility ."

Daimler and Smart GmbH will be supplying 100 Smart EV lithium-ion, battery-powered cars for the joint project for environmentally friendly electric cars.

Berlin e-mobility is described as the world's largest venture for environmentally responsive electric cars. The undertaking is supported by the German Government.

European testing
The RWE Group is the leading partner for energy and energy-related services in Europe and will establish and operate charging locations in consumer homes, parking lots and workplaces.

Daimler launched a pilot project in London in 2007 that has tested, on a daily basis, 100 Smart Fortwo first-generation EVs.

The cars cost approximately 5 cents per mile to drive and get about 80 miles from a single charge. As of this writing the EV Smart cannot be recharged from an ordinary power socket.

This newest project is very similar to what eMotion Mobility , then a division of the DaimlerChrysler Corporation, tried back in 2000 in a joint venture with the State of Georgia. They announced plans to develop an electric-powered version of the Smart City Coupe.

We believe this venture aimed to prepare for the full-scale introduction of the Smart car to the US market, which took almost eight years.

Atlanta-based eMotion was going to place electric cars at transit stations, businesses and shopping centers to provide commuters with an innovative mobility program linked to Atlanta transit and travel.

With Smart's history with the American consumer we can only expect it will be many years before the US will have the chance to drive their Smart EV lithium-ion, battery-powered Smart EV.