Smart Cars roll into Milwaukee - Business Journal 1/4/08

[spdickey]

http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/mil...1571937&page=3

Originally Posted by milwaukee.bizjournals.com

Smart Cars -- the ultra-miniature, gas-sipping vehicles made in France -- are off to a fast start in Milwaukee and they haven't even hit the showroom.

As the state's only dealership, which is owned by Bergstrom Automotive, gets set to open in Milwaukee Jan. 8, it has already received reservations for all 300 of the Smart Cars it was allocated, said chief executive officer John Bergstrom. He attributes the vehicles' initial popularity to a combination of their energy efficiency and Americans' increasing environmental awareness.

...More than 30,000 people have reserved Smart Cars, but not all of those necessarily will convert to actual sales, said Smart USA spokesman Ken Kettenbeil.

He said cars will appear on the lots when the first 50 Smart dealerships open this month across the country. However, the first shipments will be available only to those buyers who made early reservations. Prospective buyers who reserved Smart Cars during the last quarter of 2007 won't see a car delivered until the second half of this year, Kettenbeil said.

Smart USA is still taking reservations, but people who make a reservation now will have to wait until late 2008 or early 2009 for their Smart Cars, he said.

At the moment, demand is outstripping the number of cars the plant in France can produce, Kettenbeil said.

...One prospective hurdle for Smart Cars will be consumer reaction to the waiting period for delivery, Libby said. Some consumers will find the exclusivity worth the wait, but others may grow frustrated and buy another vehicle, he said.

...As for the waiting period for Smart Cars in Milwaukee, Bergstrom said his dealership will take orders and expects to get more beyond the initial allocation of 300.

"We'll have cars that (consumers) can look at and drive," he said.

Bergstrom Automotive has the rights to build two more Smart dealerships in the state and plans locations in Madison and Appleton, Bergstrom said. He said he doesn't know when those will be built.

Bergstrom said he's confident the manufacturer will roll out product extensions, including diesel and hybrid versions, that will prevent Smart Cars from becoming a short-term fad.

"We're spending a lot of money on the basis that it's not," he said.

[Willy]

Thanks! Good information on my hometown smart dealer.

[kev]

that's my dealer! I'll be there on the 8th!!!

thanks.

kev

[SmartBob]

buyers who reserved Smart Cars during the last quarter of 2007 won't see a car delivered until the second half of this year

So those of us who made reservations in the 3d quarter will have our buggies by June?

[spdickey]

...As for the waiting period for Smart Cars in Milwaukee, Bergstrom said his dealership will take orders and expects to get more beyond the initial allocation of 300.

If that happens, there will be a big "I told you so!!" coming from me.

[SmartBob]

In harmony. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

[dbatch1715]

Is the confirmation process dead now since the Dealers are open on January, 8th? Are the dealers taking over this process?

[mfoster]

We're all waiting to find out. My dealer is in the process of getting connected to the Smart system. I think this coming week will have news.

[GiantKiller]

Originally Posted by kev

that's my dealer! I'll be there on the 8th!!!

thanks.

kev

They are oficially open I was there the 3rd and Ryan said they were officially open. Service tech was there Eric I believe was his name. No cars so he wasn't buisy talked to him awhile. Very helpful.