It just dawned on me today...

[jose3030]

Where else can you **

launch a car.
a new brand.
new dealerships
have it somewhat orderly
order EXACTLY the options you want
have the TYPE of car you want down to the T.
colors and all...
and know SOMEWHAT when you'll be getting the car.

I know you guys have kinda been on Smart's case.
But tell me if Chevrolet or Ford could do the same.

I doubt it.

Let's cut em a bit of slack guys.

[Smartdavis]

I agree. You also get the car you ordered for the price you ordered it, without outrageous dealer mark-ups. That's amazing for a product so popular.

I've never heard of it being done like this before.

[BeSmart]

Breath of fresh air, Jose3030 and Smartdavis. They really are moving along. Seems the DDE is improving on a daily basis. 3300+ cars delivered. We are winging along.

[Steven79]

werd. i completely agree.

[MinnySmart]

Totally... Well said!

[curtis]

screw that, it's not like smart is some upstart company, the US distribution is new but 1 year 3 days after my reservation and I don't have jack. There is a reason I ordered in in March 2007, So I'd be one of the first to have it...To bad people that ordered in April and May are receiving cars before me..How hard would it have been to actually deliver based on when the damn cars were ordered. I love Smart but I think SmartUSA sucks!

[curtis]

hahaha, I just looked at that joke SmartUSA call the DDE and it has me waiting 5 more days than on the March 31st when it was put in place!

[robotbill]

Oh what a feeling Toy....ota!!!!

[msjohnson1974]

Originally Posted by curtis

screw that, it's not like smart is some upstart company, the US distribution is new but 1 year 3 days after my reservation and I don't have jack. There is a reason I ordered in in March 2007, So I'd be one of the first to have it...To bad people that ordered in April and May are receiving cars before me..How hard would it have been to actually deliver based on when the damn cars were ordered. I love Smart but I think SmartUSA sucks!

So the way I understand the reservations is that it is NOT first come, first served. It was explained to me during the road show that it matters what number you are in your area (now "area" was not defined - could be state, city, county, zip, congressional district...). Now if people in your SmartUSA defined area that ordered before you are getting cars before you then you have a complaint. Or you can forgo your reservation, get your $99 back and go buy something else.

Not saying SmartUSA is perfect, far from it, I found the lack of usable information maddening while waiting on my car. My guess is that they keep the info close to mitigate thier own risk and headaches as any missed dates would be received poorly by the public.

[stuberman]

Originally Posted by jose3030

Where else can you **

launch a car.
a new brand.
new dealerships
have it somewhat orderly
order EXACTLY the options you want
have the TYPE of car you want down to the T.
colors and all...
and know SOMEWHAT when you'll be getting the car.

I know you guys have kinda been on Smart's case.
But tell me if Chevrolet or Ford could do the same.

I doubt it.

Let's cut em a bit of slack guys.

And it is:
higher quality
less expensive
better engineered
and more fun

than most of what else is out there...

Thanks for the reminder Jose!