scooter

[JPaul]

From Daimler's Media Page:

Stuttgart – smart will launch the escooter on the market in 2014. For smart, this is the next logical step in implementing its comprehensive concept for future urban mobility.

[JPaul]

More details:

“The decision in favor of the escooter has been made,” announced Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars, on the sidelines of the international dealer meeting in Davos, Switzerland. “With this step, we are adding a further important component to our smart mobility concept for urban mobility in the future,” he added.

Back in 2010, smart unveiled a comprehensive portfolio of electric products for urban transport at the Paris Motor Show. In addition to the smart fortwo electric drive as a coupé and a convertible, it includes the smart ebike and the escooter. smart is now consistently turning this concept into reality: the smart fortwo electric drive will be launched on the market in summer 2012, and delivery to customers of the first ebikes is just beginning. The fully electric escooter will be premiered within the next two years. The design of the escooter study is being developed and refined further. With its many innovative and trendsetting features, the new product will be unmistakably a genuine smart. Just like the ebike, the escooter will also be available for customers who (as yet) have no driver’s license for cars as a smart on two wheels.

[vwW12]

Weird production direction. Having been to two different suburban smart Centers / M-B dealerships in the U.S. this past week, I have a hard time imagining the scooter sitting next to a ghetto $113K ML-class SUV such as I saw.

The scooter/bike product extension is probably a much, much better fit to the urban smart Centers of Europe. Here in the greater Miami area, the sole urban smart Center we had shut down its doors three years ago.

Then again, I remember Peugeot bicycles and Mercedes-Benz Bicycles from when I was younger. If they offer a smart bike in black and red to match our Cabrio, we may spring for one.

[smorris]

As an avid scooter rider (as are several members here) I can't see this as a good fit. Car dealers know absolutely nothing about laws and problems related to scooters, and purchasers will get short shrift by a salesman only making $50 or less on a sale rather than hundreds.

Even their press release is misleading, as that vehicle would require a motorcycle operator's endorsement to be risen on public roads here in Ohio, and could *not* be ridden by someone "who (as yet) have no driver's license for cars."

[wrumbarger]

"salesman only making $50 or less on a sale rather than hundreds."

I am a salesman, we don't get "hundreds" per smart car?

We get an hourly rate and a small bonus if we make our projected sales per month.
Personally, I would love to have both the smart bike and smart scooter in my shop, more options for customers.
Sell the teen a scooter and the 'rents buy a smart?

[smorris]

^^^ I didn't mean hundreds for the smart but the Benz. ;)

The only teens you would be selling to in Virginia are 16 and over with a valid drivers license and motorcycle operator's endorsement. An electric scooter in Virginia is regarded as a motorcycle as it is here in Ohio.

[BigWarpGuy]

Gizmag. It seems that they will be producing the eScooter. Perhaps call it Smart ForScoot?

It looks nice but I am probably too heavy for it.

[gstreetcomic]

I think the E scooter is a really cool idea. My first ride was a scooter, and it was great. BTW you only need a motorcycle license if the CC's are 125 or higher. I know this as my scooter being a 1984 Honda Aero 125 needed such an endorsement. On the downside, some guy on a Harley said i should get a real bike. HA HA!!!

[rawhidekid]

Back in the 80's, I bought my wife a scooter as the Haley was to heavy for her. While riding it home I was stopped at a light and two hot chicks on Harleys pulled up beside me. I just new they wouldn't believe I had a Harley at home, I stared straight ahead fully embarrassed to be on that scooter.

[kennyrayandersen]

Comment #1