Chicagoland members stand up ...

[OPA57]

Went by Knauz Smart yesterday and actually got a tour of the facility, and met two salespersons. Jil just started yesterday and Tony seems to be the man in charge. Got some info on Smarts, first off there are now 600 Fortwos in the USA and they are arriving in batches of 300, built to confirmed specs. Each dealer has to keep 3 on the show room floor and 3 for demos. Knauz's territory, if I remember right, goees from Lake Cook Road North into lower Wisconsin. There are only two dealers, Loeber and Knauz in the Chicago area. He told me that it will be at least a week, maybe a week and a half before things get sorted out and cars come. They took my information and promised to call. They don't have customer lists from Smart yet, in about a week. With my number of 1188 I will probably be getting my car soon. (I hope!!!) That's all for now, I'll keep you all posted if I get any new info.

[E-SMART]

this was from today ... inside it appears that things are ready to go, very small showroom wedged next to Chrysler ... very low key ...

smart center Lake Bluff



to OPA57 - my resv # is also 1188, confirmed on 11/9 we may get our cars at the same time! although I'm south of Lake Cook (in Cook County) so may end up at Loeber but we'll see!

[snk325]

Hey all, just joined to say hi. Confirmation number 1235. I'm only 4 miles away from the Lincolnwood location so I'm guessing my dealer will be that one.

I confirmed on 12/18 so I don't expect to see my fortwo for a while, but I'm looking forward to it! I'll be checking back occasionally to find out more about developments in the Chicagoland area.

I might swing by the dealer sometime this week. If I do, I'll keep y'all posted!

[colinelane]

I believe that the first batch of smart cars will arrive mid to late next week. Go ahead and stop by smart center Lincolnwood for further details.

Thanks,

[E-SMART]

posted elsewhere ...

Originally Posted by E-SMART

smart center Lincolnwood; open for business ...

January 08, 2008

The moment you've ALL been waiting for!
It's the moment you've all been waiting for, Chicago! Announcing the new smart center Lincolnwood! Our first vehicles will begin shipping to us the week of Monday the 14th of January, so our first reservation holders will be contacted very shortly.

But am I one of the first reservation holders? We will be contacting our first batch of reservation holders beginning at the end of this week! smart USA will also be contacting you regarding your vehicle and authorized dealer.

So, Chicago...on behalf of smart center Lincolnwood, thank you for your patience and we will be talking with you all very soon!

Posted at 12:13 PM in smart center Lincolnwood News | Permalink | Comments (0) |

[snk325]

Here's an update like I promised... I stopped by the smart center in Lincolnwood today. It's a very nice facility, as you can tell from the pictures on their website.

I'm afraid I don't have a lot of new information, but did learn that the dealer is expecting approximately 50 cars on the 14th. This seems consistent with the other rumors reported on this site.

[august8pm]

Originally Posted by snk325

Here's an update like I promised...

[T]he dealer is expecting approximately 50 cars on the 14th. .

Thank you for making the trip and sharing the information.

I guess the question now is, how many reservation holders are in Chicago and when did they submit?

[OPA57]

There's going to be 17 very happy Smart owners in the Knauz area next week. Tony says that they are getting 17 cars and the owners have already been contacted by Smart and by Knauz and theyare all a "go". They should be all set up by Wednesday the 16th of Jan. I asked him about folks having the same reservation numbers and he showed me the ones that have been notified and it was reservation numbser 1172 thorough 1175 with several folks having the same number. He said it appears to be a batch number like so many are made in batch 1172, etc. He went to Smart for me and ther factory and my number 1188 has not been built yet. As I said before, they ship in lots of 300 cars. So I think mine should come up in a month or so. Happy waiting. Smart now has 45,000 paid reservations. 21/2 years production.

[E-SMART]

Originally Posted by OPA57

There's going to be 17 very happy Smart owners in the Knauz area next week. Tony says that they are getting 17 cars and the owners have already been contacted by Smart and by Knauz and theyare all a "go". They should be all set up by Wednesday the 16th of Jan. I asked him about folks having the same reservation numbers and he showed me the ones that have been notified and it was reservation numbser 1172 thorough 1175 with several folks having the same number. He said it appears to be a batch number like so many are made in batch 1172, etc. He went to Smart for me and ther factory and my number 1188 has not been built yet. As I said before, they ship in lots of 300 cars. So I think mine should come up in a month or so. Happy waiting. Smart now has 45,000 paid reservations. 21/2 years production.

As I'm a 1188 as well, want to avoid the worse part of winter for its first year if possible but of course don't want to wait too much longer ... looks like Knauz isn't getting the same allocation as Loeber though

[august8pm]

Originally Posted by OPA57

He went to Smart for me...and my number 1188 has not been built yet.

Thank you for the update. If you hear anything more about reservation numbers and deliveries, please let us know.