Roger Penske Causes Canadian 451's to be Delayed...

[Smartster]

Well maybe its partly ego, but its defiantly about money as smart/MB Canada confirmed this past week why the delay in releasing the hundreds of smart 451's that are at dealerships and sitting at the dock here in Canada.

Turns out Roger Penske/Smart USA and smart international decided that they would approve/launch the vehicles simulatiously. So while there are almost 1,000 smart 451's in Canada none can be driven until the US 451 is ready to be sold, which means it could be January (over 2 months since the 451's arrived).

This has been hugely upsetting to Canadian dealers and soon to be owners of 451's as with the recent dollar difference there had already been "issues" with American smart dealers due to pricing differences and now this.

Smart/MB Canada are meeting with all/most of the smart dealership owners the first week of December to discuss this issue and see what they can do as they where not told this would be the case when orders where placed and until this last week were not told what the delay was about.

[jwight]

I'd be upset too!

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by Smartster

MB Canada confirmed this past week why the delay in releasing the hundreds of smart 451's that are at dealerships and sitting at the dock here in Canada.

Turns out Roger Penske/Smart USA and smart international decided that they would approve/launch the vehicles simulatiously.

That is horrible. How does Penske have any say over what happens in Canada? The Canadians have had the 450 for years. What should it matter to Penske if they get the 451 a couple months before us?

[Old smart]

Hard to guess what is up, but (perhaps good for us) it seems as Penske draws a lot of water in smart GmbH's eyes.

[jwight]

The only way it can be good for us is if we get cars with the 48K mile warranty - and I don't think that's in the works. No way I can see this benefits the US folks and it definitely does a number on our Canadian friends.

[propes]

I don't understand that either. It's possible that Penske asked MB to delay the Canadian launch until 2008, but since he doesn't smarts are sold through the MB network, it would come down to a MB decision.

[Old smart]

Maybe there is a potential recall issue already and they want to hold the Canadian 451s until it can be resolved. Like the door lock problems with the UK 451s that apparently use the same locks as the N.A. 451s.

[kurt013]

If there were no Smarts in Canada I could see that happening, but Canadians have had the Smart for several years, most of the public don't know a 450 from a 451, so I can't see why the two countries need to launch simultaneously.

[Yellowcarsrock]

Do you think PAG thinks we (americans) will drive to canada and get the new U.S. approved 451 from their dealers and cancel our orders through them? How hard is it to drive across the border in a new car? Is it do able?
Vicki
#1200/15 apr/no config yet

[spdickey]

Originally Posted by Yellowcarsrock

Do you think PAG thinks we (americans) will drive to canada and get the new U.S. approved 451 from their dealers and cancel our orders through them? How hard is it to drive across the border in a new car? Is it do able?

The Canadian car is different from the USA car and cannot be registered here. So the answer is NO.