I read this today and figured I'd post it up for you guys, From Automotive News and reasons why there are more and more Orphans at the smart dealers this year.
Not a surpise that things have changed for some people in the 18 months since placing an order. For some of us it works out for the better as I adopted an orphan after waiting for a year. When my ordered car comes in, next fall, it will become an orphan
I didn't read the article yet, so I hope this note isn't redundant:
When I became interested in smart cars, I phoned my dealership and was told that the wait was about 9 months, tho occasionally they had orphans. I found out a week later that they had an orphan for me, so I bought it. But in order to do so, I first had to register for a car... that is, I had to place an order for a car I wouldn't be getting. So one orphan begat a second.
Months later I got a call asking if I was still interested in my ordered car, but not from my dealer. Instead, I'd been registered with the now-defunct dealership in White Plains. So smart needs to fix their ordering system in order to reduce the perceived # of orphans. It's not quite as high as it seems.
"Add the smart fortwo to the growing list of products impacted by the economic downturn here in the United States. Last year, the diminutive urban runabout was one of the U.S. market's few bright spots, with its small dealer network moving nearly 25,000 units and busting through sales expectations along the way.
For much of the summer months in 2008, the fortwo was actually selling for a premium on the open market, as dealerships only stocked vehicles that had actually been ordered and for which deposits had been collected. According to Sean Sarraff, brand manager of Smart Center Germantown in Maryland, "Since November, it seems people are backing out of purchasing a Smart." These unwanted vehicles end up as orphan cars and are made available to purchase through the automaker's Smart Express shopping system.
What happened? Apparently, a large number of the micro machines were ordered up by families as second cars or as toys for the wealthy. In these tough financial times, toys and playthings are expendable, and that's what seems to be happening with a certain number of smart orders. The good news, though, is that there are finally enough orphan units available that long lead times can generally be avoided for those ready to make a purchase."
Despite the economic downturn, I still believe smarts are orphaned due to lack of patience. People are tired of waiting up to eighteen months for their cars, so they buy orphans, and, surprise(!), another orphan joins the crowd.
The people that posted on that site below just dont get it. Not only are you buying a unique car, you are getting a lifestyle and a hobby. It is very similar to motorcycles or Jeep Wranglers.
People on motorcycles or Jeep Wranglers - It is a life style, kind of an extended family, ever watch 2 wranglers or motorcycles pass each other, they wave. Ever see it in a Prius? I think not. Jeeps have their Jeep outings such as Camp Jeep, Jamborees, and simply just a bunch of us rednecks getting together and driving them through mud, up mountians, or down trails. Motorcycles have poker runs and just fun runs with each other.
Smart cars have that same sort of cult following and do those same types of things together as a "family". I know that my wife and I sponsored a poker run to benifit the Clinton County Boys and Girls Club in Frankfort Indiana, she and I have gone to a tank muesum, a car muesum, a car show, breakfast, upcoming INDY 500 track run etc with people of all shapes, sizes, religions, jobs, income, political status etc but when we are in our smarts we are all one "family"
This is the intangible that these people dont get, you just can get it unless you have a motorcycle or a Jeep and have lived the life style
To me and many others, this adds so much to the value of the car, an accessory that you just love but cant describe. Anyway, I am going to steal a couple of slogans from Jeeps and bikes that remind me of the smart family:
From Jeep: If you can read this sticker flip me back over - Oh, sorry dont want to use that one
From Harleys: If I have to explain, you wouldnt understand
Last edited by pdboilermaker; 03-17-2009 at 10:19 AM.
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