Possible solution for the LONG wait.

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by Smart Car Geek

We're talking about the cars that are just SITTING in dealership lots.

They are not in peoples driveways where they belong ;)

As far as I'm aware of, these cars are not sitting in most dealer's lots - they last an average of one to two days.


One problem not address in the above discussion - there really aren't enough orphans in the first place to really significantly impact the wait time of the waiting reservation group as a whole. And probably half of them are already going to people who have been waiting anyway.

That's not to say that I don't like you idea of dealing with the orphans in a better way....it just won't have a big impact.

[bumblebee]

This will never work and the dealer will never let go of any cars where they can sell it to the next person within a day or so. As most cars are reserved it'll probably take a couple years before production catches up with the reserve then you'll see a drastic drop in wait time. But don't count on it in the next two years. Your best bet is to get on several orphan list and hope for the best if you want one that bad.

[saronian]

Originally Posted by Smart Car Geek

You are forgetting the fact that Penske wants to make money here too ;).

I've read that strong rules and regulations govern the relationship between an auto manufacturer and dealership franchises. Controlling the distribution and pricing of orphans might violate some laws on competition.

[Flashman]

Originally Posted by Smart Car Geek

The database/website would have no cost. The form/database could be made in less than an hour by any qualified admin and Smart could easily sub-domain it on their site. Seeing how you could fit a lot of Smarts on a truck it would simply be a matter of setting up timed shuttles, then divide the cost. Penske would be responsible and since they would be selling more cars and making more profit it would be in their best interest too. At the very least it should be an option offered to those who are waiting ;)

In the most polite way possible, let me just say, you have no idea, or at least have an amazing underestimation, of what it truly takes to produce an enterprise-ready web site application with the level of complexity described and the level of reliability, stability, and supportability that a mission-critical web site of that nature would require.

[Smart Car Geek]

Originally Posted by Flashman

In the most polite way possible, let me just say, you have no idea, or at least have an amazing underestimation, of what it truly takes to produce an enterprise-ready web site application with the level of complexity described and the level of reliability, stability, and supportability that a mission-critical web site of that nature would require.

Oh OK Thanks for the entertainment. lol ;) Back to the topic...

[Dunerunner]

Dealer trades, and this is what you are talking about; have been around the automobile industry since the 50's. There is generally something in the deal for each dealer on a trade. One dealer has a motivated buyer who wants a particular car that is sitting on another dealers lot. They work out a mutually profitable deal and exchange vehicles of interest. I don't see the possibility of this taking place between smart centers. You are essentially discussing removing assets from one smart center and redistributing them to another. A very complex issue and one the independant smart franchises around the country aren't going to buy into for all the cabriolets in France. We could only wish!!!

[SubSlr88]

Originally Posted by Smart Car Geek

We're talking about the cars that are just SITTING in dealership lots.

They are not in peoples driveways where they belong ;)

Here in Florida there are virtually NO orphans just sitting in the dealers lots! My calls to all of the Central Florida dealers have found that their waiting lists are sometimes 200 to 300 people long. That's way over most of their annual Smart allocations.

And any orphans are snapped up whenever they're offered UNLESS the dealer has gone stupid and overloaded them with geegaws that are vastly overpriced.
There are however, individuals who are offering their new or nearly-new vehicles at $4 - $5 thousand over cost . . . if one should REALLY want one now.