Smart Car of America Forums - Smart Car News & Rumors

smart roadsters in new Tom Cruise movie

headless — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:46:57 GMT

found this on another forum, 12 roadsters have been purchased to star in the new Tom Cruise movie Knight and Day.
It looks like it is being shot on location in spain.
Here is the link to the video.

YouTube - Tiroteo en el Ayuntamiento de Sevilla....

Here is another video, that shows how well the little smarts drift.

YouTube- Knight and Day Car Chase

Sweet Pete at it again - Autoextremist on smart

Ronin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:44 GMT

Pete De Lorenzo expands his brief comment from last week...

The travails of Smart reveal some High-Octane Truths for all.

"Right now the Smart brand is dead in the water in the U.S., and that presents a huge problem for Smart dealers across the country - and for Roger Penske. It�s fine that Dieter and his troops are thinking of ways to pump up the Smart ForTwo�s raison d�etre, but in order for Smart to continue to be viable in the U.S., it desperately needs a larger car. Like yesterday."

Read more here: Rants - Autoextremist.com ~ the bare-knuckled, unvarnished, high octane truth...

#5 on Top 10 Fuel Misers of 2010

Padawan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:07:00 GMT

Not sure if this has already been posted, but the fortwo made number 5 on the MSN Autos "Top 10 Fuel Misers of 2010", with quite a favourable review.

Top 10 Fuel Misers of 2010 - MSN Autos

Production of the smart fortwo electric drive Begins in Hambach

fannum — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:57:45 GMT

Daimler Press Release - 11/19/2009

[img=http://img265.imagevenue.com/loc238/th_40310_EV_smart_2_122_238lo.jpg]" border="0" alt="" onload="NcodeImageResizer.createOn(this);" />

*�Production of 1,000 units begins
*�First European electric vehicle fully operational
in everyday use
*�Available to the general public as of 2012
Hambach, France / Stuttgart, Germany --- This week, Daimler AG started production of the smart fortwo electric drive at the smart plant in Hambach, France. In a first step, 1,000 vehicles will be provided to customers participating in various mobility projects in major cities in Europe and the U.S., in order to generate broad feedback on electric driving under everyday conditions.
Marc Langenbrinck, Managing Director of the smart brand: “With the start of the series production of the smart fortwo electric drive, the Hambach plant enters a new era – at the same time, the smart fortwo emphazises its pioneering role on the way to individual mobility with local zero-emissions in cities and urban areas. Its innovative battery-electric drive makes the smart fortwo electric drive the ideal vehicle for the city: it combines responsibility to the environment with driving fun and joie de vivre in a virtually perfect manner.”

The second-generation smart fortwo electric drive started now is equipped with the most modern lithium-ion-battery. As of 2012, the smart fortwo electric drive will be produced as a regular part of the smart product portfolio and will regularly be sold through the smart sales network.
First Milestones in 2007 and 2008
The smart brand has taken a pioneering role in electric mobility since 2007. Back then, 100 smart fortwo electric drives of the first generation went into practical customer operation under everyday conditions of city traffic in London. Feedback from this project has been very positive right from the start and confirmed the high degree of maturity of this vehicle concept.
Just one year later, the company introduced the second generation - which is now being produced - with an even more advanced electric drive and an innovative, highly efficient lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion technology has decisive advantages over other types of batteries including higher performance, shorter charging times, a long life and high reliability. In addition, a smart fortwo electric drive can be charged at a regular household power outlet.
A story of success: The smart Plant in Hambach
The smart plant in Hambach was inaugurated in 1997. Since 1998, it has produced the smart fortwo, since 2007 in its current generation. In 2008, more than 800 employees of the plant and some further 800 people employed by seven system partners produced about 140,000 units of the smart fortwo. In September 2008, the brand celebrated its tenth anniversary along with the 1-millionth smart fortwo produced at the Hambach plant.
The Hambach plant has represented an innovative production concept since its beginning: The assembly line in the shape of a plus sign has been designed to optimally meet the demands of assembly and logistics and ensures highly efficient production processes. This principle enables the system partners to supply modules directly to the assembly line, which reduces transport and logistics efforts to a minimum and hereby also provides an advantage regarding ecological aspects. In addition, the environmentally friendly and cost effective paint shop, an energy concept with numerous savings opportunities and the construction principle of the vehicles ensure that the ecological product responsibility of the smart brand is translated into the production.
About smart
Environmental friendliness and contemporary functionality have been defining features of the smart fortwo ever since it was launched more than ten years ago. Since then its innovative concept has combined sustainable, forward-looking technologies with individual urban mobility. With a length of just over two and a half meters, the extremely compact and fuel-efficient vehicle brings its occupants to their destination comfortably and safely. Its distintive design made smart an automotive lifestyle icon which shows that mobility, responsibility to the environment and joie de vivre are compatible with one another. The smart fortwo has established a class of its own.
Today, smart is present in 41 markets around the globe, with most recent market launches in China and Brazil. Germany, Italy, and the U.S. are key markets.

great article - someone finally gets it

dennyrex — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:51:05 GMT

Check out the comparison test in Winding Road magazine.
"Low-Cost Sports Cars?"

smart fortwo vs. Honda Fit

Low-Cost Sports Cars? Honda Fit vs. smart fortwo

Daimler launching a pilot Smart car rental program in Texas

spdickey — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:49:01 GMT

Daimler launching a pilot Smart car rental program in Texas - AutoSpies Auto News

In light of declining sales in the US of Smart cars, Daimler AG is launching a pilot program� dubbed car2go � in Austin, Texas, for short-term rental of the micro car.

Under the program, registered users will be able to pick up an available Smart, use it for as long they want to, and return it to designated locations in the city. A pilot with 200 Smart ForTwo cars will be run with Austin city employees.

Last year, Daimler tested the program in Ulm, Germany, with Mercedes-Benz employees and opened the program to city residents in March.

AutoWeek reports smart to offer rental program in Texas

Ronin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:41:38 GMT

Interesting stuff - At least they are trying something!

"The program, called car2go, would allow registered users to pick up an available Smart, use it for as long as needed, and return it to designated locations in the city. A pilot with 200 Smart ForTwo cars will be run with Austin city employees."

Read more: Daimler plans to offer a pilot Smart car rental program in Texas

Zetsche also says that they "are not giving up" on smart in the US.

Daimler to Recoup Smart Sales

spdickey — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:08:34 GMT

Daimler to Recoup Smart Sales
Analyst Blog
Daimler to Recoup Smart Sales

By: Zacks Equity Research
November 16, 2009 | Comments: 1
Recommended this article (1)
DAI | PAG

Print Share

Daimler (DAI - Analyst Report) has started offering discounts for its micro-hybrid car, smart fortwo, in the U.S. in order to recoup its depressed sales. In the third quarter, Penske Automotive Group (PAG - Analyst Report), which owns distribution entity for the smart fortwo in the U.S. through its 75 smart dealerships, saw a decline in smart USA wholesale to 3,401 units from 6,683 units in the prior-year quarter.

Last month, smart car�s sales fell more than two-thirds to 661 units in the U.S. It was also the lowest clocked for any month since the car�s debut in early last year.

Smart fortwo � the world�s most fuel-efficient and lowest CO2 emitting car � raised eyebrows in the U.S. with a fuel consumption tag of 36 miles per gallon at the time of its launch when petrol price hovered around $4 per gallon. However, it lost importance over time when the average price slashed by about a third in the recent past.

During the third quarter, Daimler sold 23,600 smart cars, fewer than the year ago level by 8,700 units. Last month, the company�s sales fell 18% to 9,300 smart cars. Sales in the first 10 months of the year went down 14%.

Daimler�s decision to export smart cars to the U.S. was a critical part of its rescue plan for the brand. In 2006, the company began restructuring the brand to make it profitable by 2007 instead of shutting it down.

Presently, Daimler is hopeful about retrieving smart sales as the oil price begins to rise again. However, to what extent the hope will bear fruit remains a matter of uncertainty. Some proponents are of the belief that carmakers would try to comply with fuel-economy standards over the next few years through more efficient engines rather than smaller vehicles. Thus, the company�s effort to regain sales is likely to face many challenges.

We recommend the shares of Daimler as Neutral.

Automotive NewsWire sez Smart Fortwo Sales in the Cellar

fannum — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:04:55 GMT

Smart Fortwo Sales in the Cellar; Mercedes May Boost Small Cars
Automotive NewsWire: November 16, 2009

Roger Penske and Smart fortwo builder Mercedes-Benz might have taken a lesson from the legendary Isetta, a mini car introduced in the U.S. in the mid-fifties by BMW. The Isetta, developed initially in Italy and sold under license to BMW, became an important stepping stone for BMW sales in many countries around the world. The car, about the same size as a current day Nano or Smart, was immensely successful throughout Europe, but never became more than a curiosity in the U.S.

It's beginning to appear that may also be the case for the Smart fortwo, produced by Mercedes-Benz with an exclusive North American sales franchise by Penske Automotive. Having sold successfully in crowded European cities over the last few years, both Mercedes and Penske were optimistic about sales in the U.S. And, initially, orders for the Smart in the U.S. were ahead of forecasts, most of which were based on consumer research Mercedes performed on U.S. buyers that indicated the car would not sell well in the U.S. market. The brisk sales, however, have subsided and are now more in line with the original Mercedes research - Smart small is too small for American tastes, just like the Isetta.

Penske Automotive reported in its third quarter report that during the third quarter, Smart USA wholesaled 3,401 units, and blamed the "challenging new vehicle sales environment in the U.S." for the adverse sales impact in Smart fortwo vehicle sales. Penske said that in response to slowing sales, Smart USA had introduced new finance and marketing campaigns in October designed to sell through the balance of the 2009 model year inventory.

Daimler AG, however, is taking a close look at its small car future and there may be some thoughts that the luxury auto manufacturer may have gone just a little to small in attempting to capitalize on the small car market with the Smart car. Taking stock of brisk sales of the BMW 1 Series, the Mini Cooper and Audi A3 models, Mercedes-Benz is reported to be looking at introducing competitive models in less than two years.

smart sales down 18% globally in October

spdickey — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:13:06 GMT

The news was worse at Mercedes� sister company Smart, which managed to sell just 9300 units globally, down almost 18 per cent on October 2008.

Ouch!

http://www.caradvice.com.au/47444/me...up-in-october/

Smart Performance In IIHS Bumper Tests

grasshopper — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:10:07 GMT

As policyholder with Amica insurance, I received their Fall 2009 newsletter yesterday. I was very pleasantly surprised to see the Smart featured in the first article in the newsletter, "Little Cars Tall Big Bumper Bills". In the safety tests done by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), Smart beats out the other six cars it was being compared with. (duh....no surprise there! :rolleyes:) Here is the article if you are interested:

http://www.amica.com/pdfs/AmicaTodayFall09.pdf

I have a friend who has a Honda Fit; I can't wait to show her this article ! :D

AutoBlogGreen speculates on fortwo drifting

Carl242 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:38:24 GMT

Smart Fortwo: World's Most Fuel Efficient Drift Car? — Autoblog Green

Autobloggreen points us to a movie that will feature . . . wait for it . . . a SMART CHASE! I'm looking forward to that, but I hope they don't hurt the smartie. At any rate, they speculate on if a smart can be drifted. Obviously they don't know about disabling the ESP :burnout:

smart sales fall short

spdickey — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:12:02 GMT

(Dow Jones)

Adding to Penske's woes, sales of Smart mini cars have not met expectations and will likely remain low through 2010. Penske has a U.S. distribution deal in which it sells tiny Smart cars made by Daimler AG's (DAI, DAI.XE) Mercedes unit.

Penske said Smart will have to dish out incentives to maintain sales levels, which are down more than 30% from a year ago. He expects the brand will sell 15, 000 to 16,000 vehicles this year and "would be happy if we can meet that number next year based on the current market."

Penske: Saturn Deal Didn't Meet Renault's Return Requirement

Get $50 in FREE smart USA Gear?

Big Panda — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:14:21 GMT

I got this email yesterday:

A message to all members of the 451 smart fortwo Owners & Enthusiasts community:

First off the good news, smart USA is the holiday spirit is offering anyone a free $50 voucher that can be redeemed for Official smart USA gear.

To receive this free gift you can visit the �fortwo for you� site ( http://www.fortwo-for-you.com ) and enter your details. You will then be contacted by your local smart center to arrange a test drive of one of the 2009 models and will also get an introduction to the upcoming 2010 models. After your test drive you will receive the free $50 credit towards any of the Official smart USA gear.

For the official terms and conditions of this offer, please visit:
smart USA - smart Value Days Terms and Conditions

---- ----- -

Now for the not so good news, the smartmas event has regrettably been moved to the 2010 season. There was great feedback, but a lot of it was about the dates selected not being ideal and current economic situations limiting the attendees. Since we realize budgets are tight and while a lot of people really want to come, this year during Christmas wasn�t the best plan.

Even though the official smartmas event won�t happen we know there will be smart owners and enthusiasts in Vegas during this holiday season and we welcome a non-official meet up, which we see others are already arranging via the many smart community websites.

Not to get directly involved in your personal meet-up�s we can help out by providing free passes ( for two ) to the Automobile Museum and for those that were interested in some of the racing experiences there will be a track day setup at Supercar Life ( http://www.supercarlife.com ).

The track day is in the works for December 21st but it is not official, please check the smart communities and/or the Supercar Life site for its official confirmation. As for the free passes to the Automobile Museum these can be received by sending an email to: event@smartmas.com

---- ----- -

Lastly, we hope you have a happy Halloween and a very happy holiday season.

Visit 451 smart fortwo at: http://www.451s.com

I went ahead and filled out the online form. Now I suppose I have to go take a test drive to get my $50 worth of 'stuff'. Oh well, still worth the price, especially since I'm just 15 minutes from the smart center. :)

Another positive review

rfernatt — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:23:10 GMT

smart fortwo � when less means more�

Last word: "If you don�t need to carry more than yourself and one passenger, and have modest cargo requirements, you can enjoy a highly efficient little runabout without spending much cash."