Daimer down, smart up

[wildman]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Daimler AG said Tuesday that February U.S. sales fell 20.6% to 15,614 vehicles from 19,665 a year ago. February U.S. sales of Mercedes-Benz dropped 23.5% to 14,199 vehicles, and sales of Daimler's Smart car rose 28.5% to 1,415 vehicles from a year ago.


At least smart's are selling.

[chieftmc]

It's still the smart thing to do

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by wildman

SAN FRANCISCO -- Daimler AG said Tuesday that February U.S. sales fell 20.6% to 15,614 vehicles from 19,665 a year ago. February U.S. sales of Mercedes-Benz dropped 23.5% to 14,199 vehicles, and sales of Daimler's Smart car rose 28.5% to 1,415 vehicles from a year ago.


At least smart's are selling.

That really speaks well for smarts. A year ago there was a pent up demand that has already been met. There's no such advantage this year, so this suggest that interest is growing - despite the lack of an advertising campaign.

[RACNXTG3]

theyres gona be alot more smarts now...perhaps they should expand their range.

[lebikerboy]

They've done that in the past..Fortwo (current), Forfour (gone), Roadster (gone),
Formore (never produced)...

[grwhitaker]

Originally Posted by RACNXTG3

theyres gona be alot more smarts now...perhaps they should expand their range.

I think they will just add more options-certify the European engines-the 84 hp turbo, the real Brabus 98 hp engine, the current or a new diesel engine, the unfortunately named ED for the electric vehicle [Bob Dole will be the spokesman LOL] for 2010 or 2011, MHD-micro hybrid drive, availability of the Limited versions [LE three is sick in the Melon Gold Metallic], more exterior colors to update your 08 or 09, more interior options [something like the multi-tone designer color options on MB's], actually advertise in the national media, open up all 50 states, etc...

Only then will smart be in ready to look and see if new models are needed to expand the range.

[SixFoot4]

Originally Posted by wildman

SAN FRANCISCO -- Daimler AG said Tuesday that February U.S. sales fell 20.6% to 15,614 vehicles from 19,665 a year ago. February U.S. sales of Mercedes-Benz dropped 23.5% to 14,199 vehicles, and sales of Daimler's Smart car rose 28.5% to 1,415 vehicles from a year ago.


At least smart's are selling.

Looks like they fell off a bit in February. Sales were up 177% in January. Still kicking everyone elses butts though... Nice!

[rfernatt]

smart is at least moving some cars, but remember when looking at these 2008/2009 comparisons that smart wasn't really ramped up until probably late spring of '08. So, the year comparison numbers probably look artificially good. One car delivered in Jan 08 vs three cars delivered in Jan 09 means a 200% increase in deliveries (e.g. smart doesn't have to deliver very many cars 1Q09 to look good compared with 1Q08). 2Q09 numbers will probably give us a better feel for how smart is doing comparatively.

Anecdotally, smart centers seem to have a lot of inventory compared with just a short while back. I was at smart center Devon yesterday and they have a bunch of cars (not sure how many were spoken for).

Just my 'objective' .02...

[VTC4198]

already posted

[VTC4198]

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