Smart banned from best of france & italy show

[dsoukup]

Originally Posted by Worker Not

I was at this gathering and I noticed that there was a classic Bentley and an Austin Healey (sp) in the show. They said that the Bentley body was designed in France. The Austin Healey had a French made engine it. (I forgot the name).

Go Figure!!!

Worker Not

Then there was the Innocenti Mini and TWO Czechoslovakian Tatras. Cool cars to be sure, but most definitely NOT French or Italian. Inocenti? A British Mini made in Italy under license.

One or the shows workers told one of our renegade bunch of smarties that our cars were not allowed in the show because "All the cars in this show have STYLE. smart cars DO NOT HAVE ANY STYLE WHATSOEVER!"

OK...

[Kermit]

Originally Posted by dsoukup

Then there was the Innocenti Mini and TWO Czechoslovakian Tatras. Cool cars to be sure, but most definitely NOT French or Italian. Inocenti? A British Mini made in Italy under license.

One or the shows workers told one of our renegade bunch of smarties that our cars were not allowed in the show because "All the cars in this show have STYLE. smart cars DO NOT HAVE ANY STYLE WHATSOEVER!"

OK...

Thumbs up for your renegade smart owner for not kicking the staffer's butt. I had a show staffer tell me a few weeks ago, "Hey, someone entered an old Chevy Citation so it's not big deal you entering that.". I should of asked him what he drove.

[WilyB]

I believe the new Minis have a "W" VIN too, which makes them German.

Sir Alec Issigonis must be spinning in his grave!

[Old SGM]

It appears the Smart must be a "Mutt". Just like what is an American (person)? An American is a "Mutt"! What is a "Mutt"? In the case of the Smart and the American, it is a little of all the best the world has to offer, ergo, I am a proud "Mutt" driving a "Mutt" car.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by WilyB

I believe the new Minis have a "W" VIN too, which makes them German.

Sir Alec Issigonis must be spinning in his grave!

Sure; BMW car built in the UK (at least for now); rumor is the next MINI model will be built in Austria. Mini Sports Activity Vehicle to be Built by Magna Steyr

[BigWarpGuy]

Originally Posted by jwight

Sure; BMW car built in the UK (at least for now); rumor is the next MINI model will be built in Austria. Mini Sports Activity Vehicle to be Built by Magna Steyr

"BMW Group just announced that it has found a partner for an all-new project to round out its Mini brand lineup. The rumors are indeed correct – Mini will be building a compact Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), and it will be assembled by Magna Steyr of Austria."
It sounds like it is expanding into Austria but not moving the original factory there. It says it is adding to the Mini line and the factory in England is already at full capacity.

[Big Panda]

I know I'm joining in the discussion late, so I apologize if this has already been said.

My take on auto manufacturers is this: Toyota, Japanese. Honda, Japanese. Mercedes, German. smart, since it's owned by Daimler, German.

While all of these, and many others, 'manufacture' vehicles here in the U.S., they're still vehicles made by companies owned outside the U.S.

"American" cars are limited to Ford, GM and any others whose company is a U.S. based company. Currently Chrysler is in this group as well, but if Fiat ever becomes the majority stockholder, who knows what may become of it. Someday a Chrysler may be considered an Italian vehicle.....

Sorry, I have to agree with the car show on this one. Besides, it's their show and therefore their call.

[gmathieux]

The bottom line: the car is French-assembled and is not allowed in the show because it was nebulous.

[2smartArizona]

Originally Posted by jwight

Sure; BMW car built in the UK (at least for now); rumor is the next MINI model will be built in Austria. Mini Sports Activity Vehicle to be Built by Magna Steyr

Steyr has a great reputation in the manufacturing world. I have an 1888 Geman Commission Rifle made by Steyr in 1892...and I have a friend that drives an X3, which only makes sense as Magna Steyr also assembled his Dodge Caravan diesel he has too. but the W will still be there.


I would like to be able to call the car French myself, but even the French refuse to accept it as French....they all say it is German. What can you do....80 percent of the people on the factory floor are French, but they still see it as a German product.

[Z06-LITE]

I think of my Dodge diesel dually truck as American. However, it was assembled in Mexico.