smart sales fall short

[spdickey]

(Dow Jones)

Adding to Penske's woes, sales of Smart mini cars have not met expectations and will likely remain low through 2010. Penske has a U.S. distribution deal in which it sells tiny Smart cars made by Daimler AG's (DAI, DAI.XE) Mercedes unit.


Penske said Smart will have to dish out incentives to maintain sales levels, which are down more than 30% from a year ago. He expects the brand will sell 15, 000 to 16,000 vehicles this year and "would be happy if we can meet that number next year based on the current market."


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[gstreetcomic]

Id say between the econonic turmoil thats gone on this past year and the bad press that the Smart got no thanks to the NHS, the media, and yahoo's worst of rating, that made for some contribution. However gas prices are going up again, and that will make for some new life.

[jwight]

Ditto here: Motor Trend quote: 'lack of smart success'

[SuperGeek]

That goes to show people will believe a rumor, or something they read in an article. One reviewer spends 15 minutes in a car and complains about the transmission or the ride, and bashes it. As a result, people laugh at the car they read about or heard about, but they never bother to try it themselves. And they'll go right out and buy a car that's close but claims to cram four people into it. Not realizing that by doing so, they're sacrificing a lot - including safety.

People need to break out of the herd mentality and realize there's more to life than beige-box standard cars.

Looks like Smart should have run TV ads a year ago. Crash test data would be an awesome boost to sales - how else did Volvo sell their steel boxes, but to portray them as the safest on the road? You could hit a semi in a Volvo and come out ok.

[sato7]

I second the notion of an aggressive, hip and instructive ad campaign. Scion is doing it Susuki, and Kia are as well with their small cars. If you dont advertise people forget and walk right past you.

[24-42]

Originally Posted by gstreetcomic

Id say between the econonic turmoil thats gone on this past year and the bad press that the Smart got no thanks to the NHS, the media, and yahoo's worst of rating, that made for some contribution. However gas prices are going up again, and that will make for some new life.

Add Consumer Reports to the negative side

Donald LaFavor

[Brabus007]

+1 How will you vote on this Write-Up...
The thought of palm trees and Jamba Juice was enough to keep me in giddy anticipation for the upcoming trip.
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2009/03/25/driving-impression-gt-gt-smart-fortwo-cabriolet.aspx

[Z06-LITE]

Originally Posted by Brabus007

+1 How will you vote on this Write-Up...
The thought of palm trees and Jamba Juice was enough to keep me in giddy anticipation for the upcoming trip.
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2009/03/25/driving-impression-gt-gt-smart-fortwo-cabriolet.aspx

I think it was a accurate and non biased write up. Of course the commenters all seemed to be pre destined to hate the car we all love.

[lebikerboy]

Are there any cars which have met/exceeded 2009 sales targets?

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by lebikerboy

Are there any cars which have met/exceeded 2009 sales targets?

Hyundai sold more cars this year than last
karl