smart center Virginia Beach, VA

[Old smart]

A quick phone call indicated they are in as much limbo as we and everyone else are. No real new info, but here's the rundown of what has been known or is fairly general knowledge:
a. Checkered Flag Motors has not officially been named a dealer, but they know it is going to happen.
b. They have had no contact list provided to them at this point.
c. smart center VAB will not be complete before late FEB '08.
d. They can do NOTHING until the smart center is complete and signed-off by PAG. NOTHING.
e. Once the center is passed and they can go into the smart sales business they will begin contacting their assigned leads in order of reservation dates.
f. They expect to process 11-12 customers per month per year.
g. Considering that rate, they estimate that their present "estimate" of reservation holders will take them through two years ('08-'09).
h. Apparently the actually purchase & sales process and any additional down payment will be up to the local dealer's sales manager, like any other car.
i. They are not sure yet about what happens after a P&S is executed (e.g. who actually places the order with smart GmbH).

[MikeJCW]

Hmmmmmmmmm, so I wonder how they know how many reservation holders that have (and who they are too?) if they don't have a contact list. Sounds like they won't really get going until the spring. My car will probably come from the Alexandria dealer I guess.

I emailed CF with my reservation number but never received a response back.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by MikeJCW

Hmmmmmmmmm, so I wonder how they know how many reservation holders that have (and who they are too?) if they don't have a contact list. Sounds like they won't really get going until the spring. My car will probably come from the Alexandria dealer I guess.

I emailed CF with my reservation number but never received a response back.

They don't have a contact list yet, but I'm sure they do have projected activity figures from PAG to formulate their business plan (which had to be viable and accepted by PAG just to get the nod for a dealership). They had a rough figure way back in early August. When I went down there a short while back for some face-time, I wasn't talking to any "shirt" in sales; I talked to the white collars up in their "Business Introduction Group" who are ram-rodding the smart setup. Samey-samey with the phone call this morning.

Note, I edited "list" to "estimate" in my original posting.

[pauly]

Well that's a disappointment to those of us here in central VA, I guess. I was believing the January start date - I believe I'm near the front of the line, if there really is a line. But my family's finances have changed since last March and the extra few months might help ensure I can really purchase the car instead of having to sadly leave my little puppy at the pet store. Maybe the wait will work out to my personal advantage.

[smartNM]

I am glad someone is actually posting the correct information. Every dealer in the country is in the exact same position with the exception of the opening date. The factory gives you the number of reservation holders, but not their info. Everyone will get it the same day when all of the dealer agreements are put into place.

[daleharrison]

Hey all you smarties--Some information from NC. Spoke to a MB salesman in Cary NC. He said he thought more info would be forthcoming in January 2008. The showroom for the smart car was nearly finished. Spoke to the furniture guy and he said the completion date for this showroom will be by the end of the year-2007. He also said he has set up showrooms in NJ and elsewhere. I reserved Sept 1,2007 and have not received notification as of yet. Looking forward to 2008. I really have enjoyed the messages-lets keep the positive stuff going.