A little dissapointed in the Smart rollout.

[KeyserSoze]

I have to say Smart, take a lesson from Mini in terms of marketing your new US brand. I'm excited about the Smart but feel I've been "out of the loop" during this process, maybe a rep will read this and take some cues about how to make future buyers feel more involved.

Most of what I've heard has come through finding information myself, the newsletters come rather infrequently and don't contain any meaty information, heck they're not even very much "fun". Anyone who's like me that placed an order almost a year in advance thrives on being informed and while it's been known that release would be in Janaury, the fact that I didn't even know who my dealer was and the potential timeline of the car coming in should show you something needs fixing.

Smart, you have the potential to make a huge splash in the US with this uber cute urban machine. Give your buyers better tools to be involved with ordering and tracking the car that's fun and informative, create an owners circle, even give us access to a gallery you don't have to register over and over for. Oh yeah, make the Smart Tour more fun, driving around SoMa for 2 traffic filled blocks with a manual steering car doesn't leave the greatest impression.

I'm sure the dealers would thank you for providing an online tracking service so they don't have to deal with rabid buyers who have simple questions like, "is my car in the next shipment"? I know I would like that service since my guy is out until next week...

[Carnut]

Hey, you don't limp at all.

[spoons]

I was one of the first to buy the new Mini Cooper when they came out, and my reservation process was so exciting. I was able to track where my car was in the process, when it was put on a boat, when it arrived at the dealership......

I miss Nigel (my 2002 Mini Cooper S) like crazy, and cried hen I had to sell him (long story), but I wold have traded him in a heartbeat for a smart. So I too am disappointed that smart hasn't kept us more involved -- what better marketing media than an enthusiastic, happy customer?

[SmartCard]

yes, when comparing Smart to MINI there are a lot of similarities (released in Europe first, off shoot of a larger German company, highly sought after), however marketing wise MINI wins the contest hands down! (although I purchased an '04, so I don't know what it was like during MINIs initial introduction). Of course, and average of $10K more for a MINI can buy you lots of advertising!

[GiantKiller]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

yes, when comparing Smart to MINI there are a lot of similarities (released in Europe first, off shoot of a larger German company, highly sought after), however marketing wise MINI wins the contest hands down! (although I purchased an '04, so I don't know what it was like during MINIs initial introduction). Of course, and average of $10K more for a MINI can buy you lots of advertising!

I was excited about the mini when I saw one at the Chicago Auto Show(fully loaded S for $18000).Then when I went to the dealer when they first opened and asked how much and was told $30000 I never even considered one again.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by GiantKiller

I was excited about the mini when I saw one at the Chicago Auto Show(fully loaded S for $18000).Then when I went to the dealer when they first opened and asked how much and was told $30000 I never even considered one again.

That may be the one area where Smart has outdone what MINI did...holding the price at sticker. But even at the beginning, if you were willing to wait 6 months for a factory order, you could get MINIs at list. Cars off the lot were not shy on asking price.

Regarding MINI's superior marketing, I think that MB is just too stodgy to understand how to effectively use the power of e-Communities. If you are going to target the youth markets (or even the progressive boomer market) you need to effectively use the full power of e-Commerce. MB is still selling cars out of showrooms. Smart's "Insider" efforts on web and email have been amateurish at best.

[bmx43]

i actually don't expect the relationship with MB to last too long here in the US. i buy a lot of cars (mostly Audi and BMW) and from my experience the MB reps are by far the snobbiest of the bunch. it's gonna be like the nerds (MB sales) vs the cool kids (Smart sales) all over again...and no, we can't all just get along...hahaha.

[SPDYII]

Originally Posted by bmx43

i actually don't expect the relationship with MB to last too long here in the US. i buy a lot of cars (mostly Audi and BMW) and from my experience the MB reps are by far the snobbiest of the bunch. it's gonna be like the nerds (MB sales) vs the cool kids (Smart sales) all over again...and no, we can't all just get along...hahaha.

I'm afraid of that also. We didn't pay as much for our cars and the rest of the people at the dealership, thus we may be treated as second class citizens. I hate that!

[bmx43]

the funny thing is that i just took delivery of a 2008 Audi S5 last week. but i'm more excited about the smart car i should be getting next week for whatever reason. maybe it's the 10mpg i'm getting in the S5...

[Smart AZ]

This whole reservation process smells of deceit. I've played similar games several years ago with Corbin/Merlin motors and lost a $1000 deposit, I watched as ZAP struggled through DoT regulations, raced G&K ? to conversion and release of converted 42's(at outrageous prices!) and now I hear about the 3 month delays in Canada release (officially reported) so that the Canadian 451 will be released the same time as US 451.

It's gonna take some effort for Penske to restore my confidence. That being said, I intend to keep my reservation, watch how this all transpires and if it's late 08 or 09 before my order is available....
There's plenty of other options that I know will be available in the US by that time.