Anyone have a FAQ made?

[Steven79]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone here has a simple FAQ made to hand out to people? I'm anticipating tons of questions from curious people and figured a simple FAQ would work wonders.

Care to share?

[jwight]

I guess that thread disappeared too! Maybe those folks can re-post their handout info here.

[Steven79]

Here's a basic one I typed up... Please feel free to edit or add to it!

Who or what is a Smart ForTwo?
The Smart ForTwo is a 2 seater micro car designed by Swatch, produced by Mercedes-Benz and built in Hambach, France. To date, over 800,000 smart vehicles have been sold world wide. In January 2008, the United States became the 37th country to sell the Smart ForTwo.

What Smart models are available for purchase in the United States?

• The Smart ForTwo pure coupe (entry-level) starts at $11,590
• The Smart ForTwo passion coupe (well-equipped) starts at $13,590
• The Smart ForTwo passion cabriolet (well-equipped convertible) $16,590

What kind of engine powers the Smart?
A 1.0 Liter, 71 Horsepower, 3 cylinder engine. With a 5-Speed Automated Manual Transmission with paddle shifters.

What is the gas mileage for the Smart?
The Smarts fuel capacity is 8.7 gallons and is rated by the EPA at 33 city / 41 highway miles per gallon.

Is the Smart ForTwo legal on the highways?
Yes, the Smart ForTwo is electronically limited to 90 miles per hour top speed.

Is the Smart ForTwo safe?
The Smart ForTwo is designed to achieve a 4-star crash rating in the USA. The highlight of the safety management system is the Tridion safety cell, a technology also used by F1 race cars. The Smart ForTwo comes standard with four airbags (two full-sized front and two side for head and thorax protection). Other safety features such as esp® (electronic stability program) and ABS brakes are also standard.

Where are Smart ForTwo’s sold?
Smart ForTwo’s are available at 74 Smart dealerships nationwide. Five total in Texas, Two in Houston. You may begin the reservation process at www.smartusa.com. Due to extremely high demand, wait times can vary anywhere from 8 to 12 months.

Where can I obtain more information?
For more information, visit the official Smart USA website at www.smartusa.com. For a wonderful online community visit www.smartcarofamerica.com.

[stevenvillatoro]

I work daily with most major automotive OEMs with their promotions, including copywritten submissions. The legal departments of these manufacturers are FANATICALLY concerned with representational accuracy of published materials and who's representing what about their cars, because even minor and unintended promotional misrepresentations can land them in multi-million-dollar legal hot water. As a minimum, I would suggest that you add a disclaimer that you are not associated with the manufacturer or its affiliates, and that you cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information including prices, features (especially safety-related), terminology, performance, wait times, number/location of dealers, purchase processes, etc. Your handout should be clearly of a peronal nature, in order not to be mistaken for any promotional handout that might be sanctioned by smart, Penske, etc. Sorry for what may be considered an over-cautious warning!

[Old smart]

The most that I could see myself doing is having available some cards with the urls for smartUSA, the local dealer, and this site. I care not to stand around drawing crowds and passing out handbills.

[smartyPantz]

Originally Posted by Old smart

I care not to stand around drawing crowds and passing out handbills.

Ditto.
I am in a bad mood today and sometimes it doesnt feel good to be a spectacle.
*sigh*

But that doesnt mean I aint smilin on the inside while drivin' smartie!

[Steven79]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

I work daily with most major automotive OEMs with their promotions, including copywritten submissions. The legal departments of these manufacturers are FANATICALLY concerned with representational accuracy of published materials and who's representing what about their cars, because even minor and unintended promotional misrepresentations can land them in multi-million-dollar legal hot water. As a minimum, I would suggest that you add a disclaimer that you are not associated with the manufacturer or its affiliates, and that you cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information including prices, features (especially safety-related), terminology, performance, wait times, number/location of dealers, purchase processes, etc. Your handout should be clearly of a peronal nature, in order not to be mistaken for any promotional handout that might be sanctioned by smart, Penske, etc. Sorry for what may be considered an over-cautious warning!

yeah good point! hmmm, i'll forget about the flyer thing. I'll just talk to the folks and see how it goes.

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by smartyPantz

Ditto.
I am in a bad mood today and sometimes it doesnt feel good to be a spectacle.
*sigh*

But that doesnt mean I aint smilin on the inside while drivin' smartie!

just what my wife said to me when I got it: "you are a rolling spectacle in that thing". I threatened the vanity plate SPECTCL.
...But now she likes it.

[gimhoff]

This is the FAQ sheet I posted in this thread before it got lost.

It's a smart car. For more information, go to http://www.smartusa.com, the official company site, and to a fan site, http://www.smartcarofamerica.com.

It's made by the Mercedes Automobile Group, a division of Daimler-Benz, in Hambach, France. Its design originated as a joint venture of Mercedes-Benz and Swatch, the watch maker. It has been sold in Europe since 1998, and 2008 is the first year it has been distributed in the US. In the United States, it is distributed by smart USA, a division of the Penske Automotlve Group.

There are three Washington, DC-area dealers: Euro Motorcars in Germantown, MD (http://www.euromotorcars.com/EMC/Germantown/Smart/), Lindsay Auto Group in Alexandria, VA (http://www.lindsaysmartcenter.com/), and Smart Center Tyson's Corner (http://www.smartcentertysonscorner.com/).

It's gas-fueled, not electric or hybrid. Its mileage is 33/41 MPG under 2008 EPA standards (40/45 MPG under 2007 EPA standards). This is the highest MPG of any non-hybrid car, although it does takes premium gasoline. It's 8'10.1" long, 5'1.38" wide, and 5'0.71" tall. The trunk is 39" wide, 27" tall, and 21" deep. It weighs 1,852 pounds (the hardtop models weigh 1808 pounds).

All smart models have the same engine and safety features. The Mitsubishi engine is 1.0L, 71 horsepower, 3 cylinders. The transmission is a 5-speed "automated manual" that can be driven in either automatic or manual mode. Its top speed is set by an electronic governor at 90 MPH. It is equipped with front and side air bags, anti-lock brakes, an electronic stability program, and a steel "tridion cell" that is like a racing car's roll cage.

The smart comes in three models: the Pure coupe is the basic model, without air conditioning or radio: it starts at $11,590. The Passion coupe, with air conditioning, radio, some luxury features, and a sunroof, starts at $13,590. This car is a convertible, with upgraded radio and sound system. It is called the Passion cabriolet, and starts at $16,590. A limited number of options are available, including leather seats, heated seats, fog lights, and tachometer and clock pods.

The steel tridion cell comes in either silver or black. The body panels are plastic and replaceable; a full set of body panels costs $899 in white, black, or yellow or $1099 in blue, silver, or red.