Smart Reservations Confirmation

[nodakkid]

I think everyone reading too much into these early confirmations. I would suggest that the confirmation are really a means of gathering information or a survey. If the total number is 300, it is a nice sample size based upon about 30,000 reservations.

They can determine approximately how many people will back out of the deal, change colors, change options, etc. All of this information would be very helpful in planning the launch of the delivery and building the cars.

I would suggest that it has little to do with getting the first Smart cars as the initial shipment will be far greater than 300 cars if you have ever seen one of the ships that delivers cars you would know what I mean.

I too can not wait to get my Smart car, in fact, my wife and I both made reservations the first week of the launch after admiring them in Europe for years.

[SmartBob]

I tend to agree. It also assures MB that when the cars get here they WILL have buyers and not simply depending on American Ads and commercials.

[dbwill]

According to a report in the business section of today's KC Star; "The company has no plans to advertise in print or on television. The company will rely on word-of-mouth buzz, online and in person." Here is the link to the story.

http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/305623.html

Don

[2micro4u]

Originally Posted by dbwill

According to a report in the business section of today's KC Star; "The company has no plans to advertise in print or on television. The company will rely on word-of-mouth buzz, online and in person." Here is the link to the story.

http://www.kansascity.com/business/story/305623.html

Don

Hmm I wonder if that will be a good thing?>

[SmartBob]

Well, their first year's worth of cars are already sold and aren't even here yet. Half of the next year will probably be spoken for as well. Then there'll be a ton of people interested just from seeing the car on the road. Probably 2 years of cars are already sold, basically. Why waste money/advertising on cars you won't sell for two years?

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by nodakkid

I think everyone reading too much into these early confirmations. I would suggest that the confirmation are really a means of gathering information or a survey. .... .

If by confirmations you mean those who have already been allowed to enter mysmartfortwo.com, I disagree. These lucky folks will be the first to get their car. Its not a survey, its the next step in the ordering process. (although they will get some data from it....)

[SmartBob]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

If by confirmations you mean those who have already been allowed to enter mysmartfortwo.com, I disagree. These lucky folks will be the first to get their car. Its not a survey, its the next step in the ordering process. (although they will get some data from it....)

Yes, BUT......as we've mentioned, there most likely will be cars available with or without a reservation. It just may not be the exact model/configuration you want and you may get it way before the car you "reserved".

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by SmartBob

Yes, BUT......as we've mentioned, there most likely will be cars available with or without a reservation. It just may not be the exact model/configuration you want and you may get it way before the car you "reserved".

perhaps....but have you heard of the saying:

"tip of the iceberg" ? ;)

that might account for less then 1% of orders!

[SmartBob]

True, but I only need one car.

[nodakkid]

I did not dismiss the confirmation, they are likely legit confirmations. But why only 300? Why not serveral thousand? They likely accomplished several things, shaking down their confirmation system, gathering information (as I stated), etc. I would not doubt these folks may be the first to get a Smart. I looked at the thread for the 300 confirmations and it appeared to me that too many people were making too much of it. If it is "first come - first served", you will get your email for confirmation in due time.

If Penske folks are smart, which I think they are, I think that they are using every bit of information from the reservations to confirmations to help plan the delivery and sales. Why not learn what you need to build, where it needs to go, how many solid orders you have, etc., it appears to me to be just good business and I do not think they got as big as they are by not using good planning and good information to reduce their risk.