Fortwo at CA Mercedes Testing Facility

[MSOEMiller]

Tonight I saw a red Fortwo with silver trim pull out of the Mercedes Emissions Testing Facility in what we call "Hughes Park" at 4035 Via Oro St., Long Beach, CA. We cycle there every Thursday night.

This is the same place where I saw 4 or 5 Fortwo's pull out in a row last year and they where all disguised preproduction models.

This lab measures car emissions during "real-world durability testing" using either preproduction or production vehicles.

[eqwalker]

Humm, I guess it would stand to reason that they have been doing testing on the new Smart.

[SMART]

I heard that this is one of the only worries right now that might hold up the car making it to the consumer.

The word is that these cars need to pass all the safety testing as soon as possible to get out on the said time table that smart usa has told us.

[MSOEMiller]

I looked through the fence at the Emissions Testing Facility tonight (7-12-07) as I rode by. The testing facility has at least 3 or 4 Fortwo's parked inside.

I'd rather see none, because that could mean testing is done.

[MSOEMiller]

Good News! I didn't see any Smart cars at the Mercedes Testing Facility tonight (8-2-07)

[SmartAmerica]

This gentleman Mr. Coleman Sachs is (NHTSA) the Chief of the Office for Import and Certification Division of Vehicle Safety Compliance.

He has always been straightforward and answered all our questions in a timely fashion. We thank him for his dedication.

This was an email we sent him and one we received from him.

From: smartcarofcanada.com
Sent: Saturday, May 19, 2007 9:41 PM
To: Sachs, Coleman NHTSA
Subject: 2008 Smart Car

Coleman Sachs, Chief Import and Certification
Division Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
C/O Ms. Kristi Bragdon

Mr. Sachs,

You have been very helpful in the past and have contacted you several times dating back to June of 2003 and we thank you.

Could you please try to help us once again, has DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes or smart GmbH started or received any certification to import the 08 Smart for sale in the U.S.?

I'm sure you

[MSOEMiller]

I saw the Red and Silver fortwo drive from the Testing Facility on Tuesday (10-16-07). I hope things are OK.

[Carnut]

The facility is a MERCEDES facility not a government one, correct? The EPA figures that will appear on the window sticker are actually those derived by the manufacturer when testing according to EPA specs. The car you saw were most likely one of the FIRST all USA models that landed in Baltimore days prior to your sighting. A poster on the Canadian sight that somehow obtains the inside skinny on landings posted their arrival. At least this is my belief. ;)

[2micro4u]

Interesting but important questions. I hope theres no hold back on the 08 models