Daimler sees strong demand in US for Smart car

[spdickey]

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view.bg?articleid=1124277

Daimler sees strong demand in US for Smart car

By Associated Press
Wednesday, October 8, 2008





BERLIN - Daimler AG is seeing very strong demand for its Smart ultracompact car in the United States, the automaker’s CEO said in comments published Wednesday.

Smart, a division of Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz brand, began selling the two-seater cars — long a familiar sight on Europe’s streets — in January in the United States.

"We are on a very good track with the Smart," Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche was quoted as telling Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine.

"We cannot currently satisfy the demand in the USA in any way, but we must try to understand how sustainable this massive demand overhang there is," Zetsche was quoted in the magazine.

He did not give figures, but said there are "no concrete plans at the moment" to expand capacity. However, "if the situation remains as it is or demand rises even further, we must consider it."

The Smart is produced in Hambach, France. Zetsche was quoted as saying that "if we consider an expansion, I can imagine that North America would be an option."

Shares of Daimler fell 9.4 percent to close at 24.83 euros ($33.96) in Frankfurt.

[eqwalker]

Good news that demand is still high and only a few months till the USA first year birthday.
I can't believe that I have almost had my car for a year now and still loving it.

[Ken Boothe]

It's taken this long to figure out there is a big demand in the
USA? Buy the time they do anything about it there will be quite
a few competitors.

[p1nball]

Quote From Dr "Z" He who almost Killed Chrysler!! I guess just the Practice of medicine. Bury your mistakes!!
"We are on a very good track with the Smart," Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche was quoted as telling Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine

By the time they do anything the world will pass them by!! He failed in the US, wrong timing, wrong products.Smart almost died in his hands,and now will be over taken, by Toyota, Ford, and GM. I doubt that any new plant will be built, just as what happened with the Sprinter plant in GA!!! Nothing!!! So don't count on any New Plants!!
p1nbill

[SubSlr88]

Originally Posted by p1nball

Smart almost died in his hands,and now will be over taken, by Toyota, Ford, and GM. I doubt that any new plant will be built, just as what happened with the Sprinter plant in GA!!! Nothing!!! So don't count on any New Plants!!
p1nbill

Hoo - ha! Ford and GM??? Surely you jest! They're either copying everyone else (Ford Flex and Edge) or trying to hybidize their SUVs - or sell them off - Hummer's looking for a buyer. Ford and GM both take too long to do anything. Sorta like steering an aircraft carrier - by the time you finish the turn, it's time to change direction again~! The Volt is a couple of years off, and will be waaayy over-priced - $40k at last estimate - and it's not even in production yet. Their hybidized SUVs still get fair to poor mileage, Ford being the best. GM is having trouble coming to the realization that the age of big vehicles is OVER~! Just look at the hybrid Tahoe - 21/22mpg and over $50K.

Now Toyota - that's another story. I think that the IQ will give smart a run for the money. What's not to like about a Toyota made car????

[Orphan-Beggar]

GM stock just took a one day 30% hit! (Volt-maybe not)

The Chrysler Durango plant in my area will shut down soon.
The land is for sale/lease for whomever wants a toxic cleanup

[Old smart]

Don't forget (or, learn if you weren't around to forget) that smart's bad years were under Juergen Schrempp, not Dr. Z. Dr. Z. went to bat for the smart, and took the brush-off balls.

[smartHHO]

I was saying all along, they need to put one here in the US. Then they can make them for Canada, the US, Mexico, and all of South America. Hell, as good as we are and willing to work more then 37.5 hours a week and do 3 shifts, prob make enough for China as well.

[paroyboy]

Originally Posted by SubSlr88

Hoo - ha! Ford and GM??? Surely you jest!
Now Toyota - that's another story. I think that the IQ will give smart a run for the money.

Ford needs to bring the Ka in to compete with the smart. The new Fiesta is basically another Focus. The IQ will be branded Scion and is rumored to be near $20K. Did read an article that said Fiat may import the 500 or possibly even build it here once Alfa makes their return.
I do believe there will be a shake-up with car sizes even with gas prices dropping

[SuperGeek]

Strong demand in one year with a brand new product, niche market and coolness factor doesn't mean the product will be profitable in 10 years. I get the impression Daimler has the long term vision of 10-20 years rather than taking GM's approach of selling millions of the Hummers that are cool in the immediate. The cliche "the bigger they are the harder they fall" is true - take a risk, build demand and get into a market. But don't risk more than you're willing to lose entirely.

The wow factor is wearing off now here in Mobile... I'm not getting as many gawkers or questions. Gas prices have dropped 50 cents since I bought the car, and now telling people I get 45MPG on the highway just isn't impressive anymore. People have forgotten the 5 dollar gas after Gustav and that was just a month ago. It'll be back, which is why I bought the Smart... one day 5+ dollar gas will be back, it's a guarantee.