Dealer Announcement Timing Confirmation

[citroen]

just got of the telephone with mercedes of lindon ut. they said the building will be finished by the end of january and dont expect any cars until that time. pretty much in the dark.

[Old smart]

When the official dealer list is finally out after the first of the year, I think there will be a number of ommisions and customer teeth gnashing. It appears to me that the reason for delaying the announcement is to let those dealers shooting for a first of January completion a chance to actually be ready and signed-off. Not signed-off, not an official dealer and not entitled to do business as a smart dealer in any form or at any alternate location.

I know that my designated dealer will not be ready until late FEB; he will not be on the list; his status will remain as-is -- prospective. He was originally planning on a first of JAN opening, but construction delays killed that hope.

[smartNM]

I think the enitre dealer network will be announced at once...construction finished or not. The release of the car is not going to change because a few dealers aren't going to be open the first week of January.

[gamernotwatcher]

Originally Posted by citroen

just got of the telephone with mercedes of lindon ut. they said the building will be finished by the end of january and dont expect any cars until that time. pretty much in the dark.

If you listened to the press talks, they are concentrating on the two coasts first. Not to . Recommendation for Interior states; level set your expectations.

[JetJazz]

Originally Posted by gamernotwatcher

If you listened to the press talks, they are concentrating on the two coasts first. Not to . Recommendation for Interior states; level set your expectations.

Houston dealer (Mercedes) is planning on a late January opening. The two coasts do seem to be the area of concentration as well as the larger mid U.S. cities.
I'm curious as to how all this will work out: Dealerships open these attractive showrooms with shiny new smarts, the word gets out and people off the street start coming in and wanting to buy one "right now!" then being told that there is a one year waiting list! How can dealerships afford to let these folks go out the door probably turned off by having to wait. Dealers don't let folks walk out their doors without a car especially when the buyer wants one!

It will be interesting so see how this all shakes out in the end........

[Old smart]

My dealer, who won't be ready for quite a while longer, couldn't give me good news, but they did give me accurate news. They said as things stand now they will be dealing only with present reservation holders for the next two years at a rate of about 12/month. But (my call), they are in a position to sell or lease all the Yaris's or Fits (the Group sells both) to the walk-ins that they want while waiting for their brand new reservation to come to the top. They will sell/lease something, including their MINIs.

I said in jest that they need a kiosk outside, like an ATM, so that after rubbing their noses on the showroom glass after-hours, walk-ups could step up, insert their credit card, type in an email address and whatever other information needed, and make their reservation. He said "Hmmmm!"