Is the "Bloom off the (Smart) Rose" ?

[mike700]

Loeber Motors (Smart Car of Lincolnwood IL) now has 72 orphans in inventory waiting to be sold. Not good !
Mike700
Oak Park, IL

[John_H]

Unless you're a buyer!

Bring your clunkers down! We know the program will be running through Friday so Buy, Buy, BUY !!!

The bloom is off the auto industry's rose, not just Smart's. Or haven't you noticed the economic troubles that have befallen the country (and beyond)?

[Suze]

72 orphans! wow..


Some dealers at least have the smarts to stash half their inventory off site...

[forestacademy]

Wow, they must not be pushing the clunkers program.
I just heard on NPR a story from Madison where the Toyota dealer has already brought in 70 clunkers.(smart motors toyota) That should have helped clear out some of their Prius Back up.

[Old smart]

I doubt if that many now are "orphans" ("walk-aways"). More likey the numbers of lot-stock cars are the result of PAG/smartUSA's commitment to accept some number of generic cars per month out of Hambach.

Gas prices will go up, though maybe not soon to the onerous $4+ level for regular - the cars will sell.

I don't think the situation exists right now, but with the destruction of the original smartUSA plan of solely internet ordered, custom smarts at MSRP, and due to the current economic status, I wouldn't be surprised if smartUSA eventually cuts the dealers free to deal with their lot-stock as they see fit.

[NukleoN]

I guess there are some plusses and minuses to the overstock. At least if people want them (and they will), they can get 'em. Everyone who buys one is a rolling advertisement. I know for me, it kinda seeped into my consciousness after seeing a few. I always knew I wanted a Smart, but assumed they were expensive or hard to get...then I actually checked some dealers and was pleasantly surprised by the ready availability and reasonable cost.

[Dunerunner]

The bloom is frozen and dead on the economic vine. Few people have money or confidence enough in the economy to obligate themselves to a car payment.

[fpage77]

I feel lucky to have my smart and have good credit and was afraid I couldn't get a second car loan (did). I had a hard time selling my old car once I finally got around to it 5 months later (took a month to sell it) and didn't get calls till it was lowered a 1000 from original asking price.

[rick07bonnie]

smart sales will pick up as the economy continues it's improvement.

Keep in mind that smart has 0 advertising in the U.S., and thus sales would seem to be driven by word-of-mouth, coupled with internet research, etc.

I bought an orphan and was glad I did not have to wait X months for my smartie. . .

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by rick07bonnie

... Keep in mind that smart has 0 advertising in the U.S., ...

No electronic advertising that I know of, but I have seen billboard advertising in MA.