Consumer Reports

[broberts]

Would anyone care to comment on the recent article in Consurmer Report concerning the smartcar?

They really bashed it hard!

[SubSlr88]

Originally Posted by broberts

Would anyone care to comment on the recent article in Consurmer Report concerning the smartcar?

They really bashed it hard!

Do a thread search on this - it was widely discussed here earlier.

Bottom line - CR great for researching toaster and dryers, not too bright about automobiles. . .

[Suze]

Consumer Reports Trashes smart
Consumer Reports still doesn't like us

Not that we can talk about it again, of course.

[SunDiego]

Don't bother listening to them.

[theguywiththelongestname]

Consumer Reports slammed the Yaris ,too.
But, I think they liked the Fit...whatever..

[broberts]

I am new to the forum and did not realize this has been brought-up before.

I wrote a letter to Consumer Repors concerning their write-up and am sure I will not hear back from them. I sent a copy to the president of smartcar and got a VERY nice response from him. He really did thank me for my letter.

Bill

[Dunerunner]

Bill, great job!! CR has it's hands in the big auto manufacturers pockets; and I mean Honda, Toyota, GM, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and the rest of the established auto makers. They are just like Car and Driver in that respect. Does anyone really believe JD Power & Associates is impartial?

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by broberts

I am new to the forum and did not realize this has been brought-up before.

I wrote a letter to Consumer Repors concerning their write-up and am sure I will not hear back from them. I sent a copy to the president of smartcar and got a VERY nice response from him. He really did thank me for my letter.

Bill

Welcome aboard.

The real post here should be about the response from Smart and what Dave had to say.

Please post again and tell us the story.

Best Regards, A2jack.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Bill, great job!! CR has it's hands in the big auto manufacturers pockets; and I mean Honda, Toyota, GM, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and the rest of the established auto makers. They are just like Car and Driver in that respect. Does anyone really believe JD Power & Associates is impartial?

Dune. I don't see how CR could possibly gain from selling out to big auto. They take no advertising. What would be their point ?

No, CR is just a very conservative consumer guide and all their top auto choices are very boring for most of us car-guys. A2Jack

[broberts]

Originally Posted by a2jack

Welcome aboard.

The real post here should be about the response from Smart and what Dave had to say.

Please post again and tell us the story.

Best Regards, A2jack.

Here is the body of the letter I sent to consumer report and the response from smart USA:

The recent (November 2008) issue of Consumer Reports contains a review that deserves a challenge. Not that any of your information was presented inaccurately, only unfairly!

The main “high” you failed to mention is the fun in driving a smart fortwo: I have had women follow me to the parking lot at my office just to see my car. I have had people flag me down in the Wal-Mart parking lot to ask about it. The first Sunday I drove it to church it took over twenty minutes to exit the parking space in order to accommodate all the questions. In fact, I now have a laminated sheet on the dash answering all the typical questions.

My “fun stories” are too numerous to list … I adore it and enjoy the attention it affords a single, 64-year-old grandfather.

The “lows” you mentioned were no surprise. However, no one purchases a new car without a test drive and all of your lows would be apparent prior agreeing to the purchase. Don’t purchase a sub-compact with a 71 horsepower engine and demand that it produce the smooth ride of a full size luxury automobile with the performance of a 250 horsepower engine.

As far as “expensive for what you get”. Where else can one purchase a new convertible with amenities such as air-conditioning, chrome wheels, Lojack theft recovery system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, tire repair kit (including an air compressor), i-pod jack, tire pressure monitor, and too many more to list … for less than $23,000?

Couple all of this with the fact that there is a 12 month wait-list to get one of these gems and there are about 2,000 of them on back order. Obviously, many people do not see your “lows” as being a deterrent to owning a great little car!


The response from smart was a very cordial call from Dave Schembri, President, smart USA. I had a interesting conversation with him. He agreed with everything said in the letter and genuinely thanked me for taking the time to write.


I encourage all samrties to write to Consumer Reports.


Bill