... around noon today, spoke to Colin Lane. They had a few for test drives and a few more setup in the showroom (quite nice BTW, much larger than Lake Bluff). He said that they're only getting about two to four a week for delivery, he felt that between Loeber and Knauz that only about 40 cars had been delivered around Chicago so they will still be a pretty rare sight. They had just rec'd their smart merchandise today and were setting it up (wife saw a nice pink polo, we'll wait a bit at $50). Although the wife is a bit anxious we're OK with waiting for her color/options choice to come in (and for the worse part of winter to pass) ... things were slow when we were there (probably the weather again) but he said last weekend they had an 1 1/2 wait between test drives. He showed me the advance email they get from smart ... shows the VIN# and new owner's name but not an exact ETA ... my best guess is I'm at least about another 60 days (end of Mar/early Apr) with a 1188 resv' but we'll see!
I stopped by Loeber Motors in Lincolnwood to buy a Smart Shirt and Hat. I talked with Billy Cooper who indicated that all dealers are getting about the same number of cars. It appears that the Chicago area had a high number of early reservations so I will need to wait with my 1181 and my wife's 1183. We have not received the 30-day email or dealer call. He also indicated that they are getting little advance notice of who is getting the cars, but the process is evolving with VIN# and name - no reservation number or ETA a recent change as ESMART states.
He also indicated that they have about 15 cars, which people have not returned the notice to pickup call. They must wait 30-days when the car is considered released and they can then sell. I guess that they awaiting for the 30 days to come so they can start selling them.
Hi! I picked up my beautiful orphan today! Drove it from Lincolwood to Naperville with lots of looks.... On they hwy, a guy was snapping a photo with his cell (thank goodness he was the passenger).... I'll post pix tomorrow. The sales manager says they are still on 1173 and delivered two 1174's. They are still early in the game.
So in the Sales room, they have the Smart Wardrobe and Smart keychains, etc.... a plastic ballpoint pen is $10....
I did get two nice keychains with the car. It drives very well and I was going up to 70 without any issue. The car is cute and fun... you don't even know it is a tiny car while you're in it! The radio is great! I think I'll be driving it more than planned!!! Everyone hang in there.... It is worth the wait.
Hi! I picked up my beautiful orphan today! Drove it from Lincolwood to Naperville with lots of looks.... On they hwy, a guy was snapping a photo with his cell (thank goodness he was the passenger).... I'll post pix tomorrow. The sales manager says they are still on 1173 and delivered two 1174's. They are still early in the game.
So in the Sales room, they have the Smart Wardrobe and Smart keychains, etc.... a plastic ballpoint pen is $10....
I did get two nice keychains with the car. It drives very well and I was going up to 70 without any issue. The car is cute and fun... you don't even know it is a tiny car while you're in it! The radio is great! I think I'll be driving it more than planned!!! Everyone hang in there.... It is worth the wait.
Thanks for all the info, Anita.
I guess Lincolnwood isn't getting very many cars. Seems like Knauz has shifted more than they have and they opened a few days later.
Hi! I picked up my beautiful orphan today! Drove it from Lincolwood to Naperville with lots of looks.... On they hwy, a guy was snapping a photo with his cell (thank goodness he was the passenger).... I'll post pix tomorrow. The sales manager says they are still on 1173 and delivered two 1174's. They are still early in the game.
So in the Sales room, they have the Smart Wardrobe and Smart keychains, etc.... a plastic ballpoint pen is $10....
I did get two nice keychains with the car. It drives very well and I was going up to 70 without any issue. The car is cute and fun... you don't even know it is a tiny car while you're in it! The radio is great! I think I'll be driving it more than planned!!! Everyone hang in there.... It is worth the wait.
Anita, glad to hear that you are already enjoying your smart as much as you are! Glad we could help you out.
To everyone else, don't fret! We'll get to you soon, as well. We are almost through our initial list of people and have moved on to calling an additional 20 or so people to let them know their cars on on their way. Feel free to stop by smart center Lincolnwood and check us out in the meantime!
Thanks,
Josh Dreyer
Brand Manager
smart center Lincolnwood
To everyone else, don't fret! We'll get to you soon, as well. We are almost through our initial list of people and have moved on to calling an additional 20 or so people to let them know their cars on on their way. Feel free to stop by smart center Lincolnwood and check us out in the meantime!
Thanks,
Josh Dreyer
Brand Manager
smart center Lincolnwood
Thank you for the post, Josh. Any little sign that we're closer to delivery is really appreciated.
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I will try to find out what number they are up to now.
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