SmartUSA web site worthless

[SPDYII]

I think that anyone that has been reading the posts on this forum would have to agree that the SmartUSA web site is way out of date. There is far more relevant information on this web site and other forums like it on the net. We all wish that they could just keep up a little better. A simple thing would be to update their press releases. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard. If they aren't going to keep up, they shouldn't say to "check their web site often" if it isn't going to change for months on end. Also I believe that their web site is suppose to be their number 1 marketing tool, in lieu of TV adds, magazine adds, radio adds, newspaper adds, etc...

[Carnut]

"Their" website is really the site for IB and designed for reservations at this point. I predict that come January PAG will have another official website that will link all smart centers.

[Twojjs]

Like Henry Ford said about the Model T “You can have it any color you want…as long as it’s black!�

Why spend money on something you've already sold? It’s about the money and selling other cars!

The lack of information has whipped smart consumers into a not so smart buying frenzy.

GM has spent 3 times as much on marketing the Chevy Volt and has released more information regarding the Volt, as smart USA has on the Fortwo.

I bet if Volt had a site where people could place a $100, heck make it a $1,000 deposit, they would have twice as many sign-ups as smart USA, even though the lithium batteries General Motors themselves stated they need to power it haven't been invented yet.

Chevy promises the Volt will be ready for public sale in 2010.

Smart Marketing...

smart USA is working with a lead management system called smart1 in conjunction with Cars Direct who is part of Internet Brands, a Los Angeles-based multi-brand online car buying service.

Don't be shocked if many are drive something other than a Smart before they get to the front of the list.

"When the sales network has been established, dealers will be given lots of leads," says Kettenbeil. Many of those leads will come from smart USA's reservation program.

BBDO, smart's agency is only functioning in a very limited support role. They are the marketing and advertising arm for the Smart car in the USA and are like the Maytag repairman. Smart GmbH, provides all videos and other general creative direction for the smart USA website.

Because both Penske Auto Group and smartUSA have such a unique market position for Smart Car's introduction to the U.S. audience, why spend money on something that maybe sold out for several years.

Before Mercedes-Benz Canada's introduction to Canada most Mercedes-Benz Canada dealers and their sales forces had no clue what a Smart car was. There web site was void of any real information.

On the other hand we have no idea who the dealers are and smart USA could possibly sell out his first two year supply soon?

[JetJazz]

I do agree that smartUSA could be doing a little more. We all gave them $99 and we should be getting something. I would love to have a sales brochure to look at the various options so that when confirmation rolls around I will be somewhat educated! I do have a sales brochure.....from Paris! Nice pictures anyway!!! They could at least keep the website updated with the latest info.
When I put down my $99 down I did expect to hear from them a little more often.

[24-42]

Originally Posted by JetJazz

I do agree that smartUSA could be doing a little more. We all gave them $99 and we should be getting something. I would love to have a sales brochure to look at the various options so that when confirmation rolls around I will be somewhat educated! I do have a sales brochure.....from Paris! Nice pictures anyway!!! They could at least keep the website updated with the latest info.
When I put down my $99 down I did expect to hear from them a little more often.

You are absolutely right.
It would be nice to be able to show pictures of your "Smart Decision".
Also to look at a brochure and change your mind a thousand times.

PAG doesn't need this now but will as supply catches up with demand.

[SPDYII]

If you want a brochure for the Smart you can go to the Canadian web site. They have a nice brochure that you can download and print out. Here is the link: http://www.thesmart.ca/index.cfm?id=4720 Enjoy!

[JetJazz]

Thanks SPDYII!
That's the English version of the French brochure I got in Paris! Now I can read it!!!

Thanks,
Jerry
The Woodlands

[Twojjs]

Why should we need to go to Canada for something a company called smart USA is selling?

[JetJazz]

Originally Posted by Twojjs

Why should we need to go to Canada for something a company called smart USA is selling?

Good point!!

[Twojjs]

From 1998 to 2004 the site was smartUSA.com was a multimedia educational software company's url.

In 2005 smart GmbH published some 7 pages concerning the Smart cars.

Not till, smart Gmbh cut the deal with UAG, and basically gave them smartUSA the domain and the site started looking like a smart car site.

At this time smartUSA.com has some 29 pages. The number of pages has actual dropped from 2006 but the data is a little better, but not much.

SmartUSA.com and PAG will always have an agenda, selling cars for the most profit and with the least amount of expense.

Which are what they are about and is their duty to shareholders?

Speaking of Smart car websites.

Smart Car of America has a new appearance. It didn't look like this on Monday. They've changed the websites look and hopefully will continue to add more information. It appears to be more user-friendly and I like the front page slide show.

Seems they've got their finger on the pulse, no pun intended. So, please keep us better informed.

And speaking of a pulse, many say the Smart Pulse is best bang for the buck? Why isn't PAG selling the Smart Pulse model?