Omaha Dealer Update

[Vlad92]

Quick update - Stopped by the Omaha Smart Dealership over lunch today and spoke with Tyrone (the General Manager). Construction is behind schedule, but continues to make progress (see photos below). The “arch� on the outside of the build is the last major step left (delayed due to bad weather). Per Tyrone, Smart will not “certify� until the construction is complete, hopefully first 2 weeks in January. Once that happens they will get the reservation list and open for business. Two sales staff have been identified (Ryan and T.J.) and they are in training this week. A mechanic went through service training last week. Demo cars are expected mid-January with first customer deliveries starting the end of January.

[chubhunter]

Sounds good Vlad92. I live just a short ways from the performance dealerships. I can see Cableas from my deck. I'm a 1226er so you'll have yours way before me.

[IASmartie]

Any updates on the building? I'm guessing that this will be my dealership. I would like to take a drive over, but I'm waiting for the dealership to open.

[Pivosmart]

Thanks for the update! I reserved mine in May, so hopefully I'll be driving one soon! Keep us informed of their progress!

[omahanut]

I owuld be curious as t how many reservaions they already have. #1227 and still waiting for the opportunity to confirm

[chubhunter]

I drove by the dealership today. Looks like they are coming right along! There were several construction workers on sight. It was pretty cold so I didn't get out and try and talk to anyone. But progress is being make for sure. Won't be long!!

[IASmartie]

Are you locals taking up all the Salesmen's time?? I called and left my name and number with 'Ryan' twice and he hasn't called me back. I assume he's busy with all the locals stopping in to see the progress.

I live near Des Moines and wanted to find out if Omaha would be covering our area. I was also hoping to find out about when Demo's would be available for test drives.

I hope you guys are keeping him busy. Otherwise, I'll have to go back and reread the smart training schedule to see when they covered blowing off the customer.

[omahanut]

There was an article in the Omaha paper in the business sectoin regarding the Performance Dealer. Says they plan to open no later then the 15th of January with Demos. Also said that the last they Knew there were 250 reservations in the area. That once the dealership is announced they will get an updated list. And they said their allocation for this year is 200 and they implied they would be lucky to get that So now the big question is where is the cut off?

[Vlad92]

When I last talked to Ryan last week in person he was busy helping someone on the Chrylser / Jeep / Dodge side of the house so I assume he has not fully transitioned to the "smart" side. Got email from him on the 1st stating the dealership will not open on the 2nd as originally stated. I heard the same about the demos by the 15th... so I guess that makes sense (why do a grand opening if there are no cars to show). I was going to stop by on Saturday to check on progress.

[Vlad92]

Stopped in this morning for an update and spoke with both Ryan and T.J. Inside looks about the same as before (no major progress), but the outside signs are up (see pics below). Ryan indicated there is some kind of conference call scheduled for Tuesday with Smart USA where they expect to learn more. No ETA yet on an opening date, but they said it should be by the 14th. I'll try to swing by Wednesday over lunch to see if there is any new info.