Smart might not make it in America

[RVGRINGO]

It definitely is the economy and it may never get better; in fact, it is quite possible that it will get much worse. It may be time to start stocking up on rice and beans and to practice walking or riding a bike. The 'American Dream' is long gone and the frugalness of our smart cars is only a temporary benefit if there is an infrastructure collapse.
I'm glad I live where food can be grown all year and there is a fresh water lake nearby.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

It definitely is the economy and it may never get better; in fact, it is quite possible that it will get much worse. It may be time to start stocking up on rice and beans and to practice walking or riding a bike. The 'American Dream' is long gone and the frugalness of our smart cars is only a temporary benefit if there is an infrastructure collapse.
I'm glad I live where food can be grown all year and there is a fresh water lake nearby.

Thank you for sharing your 'gloom and doom' with us.

[gstreetcomic]

I agree with you there Big Panda. That last comment that guy made was really way too Joan Crawford for me.

Originally Posted by Big Panda

Thank you for sharing your 'gloom and doom' with us.

[jimvw57]

Well Eskimo's and other cultures have survived for decades in colder climates, We may have to learn some new skills and adapt to a new way of life if it comes to that. I have to believe that things will work out. It may not be the rosey picture it once was but we will perservere

[forestacademy]

I need to spend some time on an Amish farm and find out how we can survive with so little.

And them write a book about how we can all live with less, make millions and buy everything I want.

But honestly, if we don't get cracking on alternative energy we will need to resort back to Amish ways in a hundred years

[BobDiaz]

I have to be careful on how I word this, because I'm getting close to political issues, but because it deals with smart sales, I'll risk maybe crossing the line...

It's easy to get caught up in the negative feelings about the economy and the news media only likes to make bad news sound worse. However, the indicators are pointing toward a recovery.

Unemployment figures have been slowing down and have shown a very slight drop. Sales in general have picked up and the stock market is showing a steady rise. Manufacturing is starting to pick up in some areas.

As for the possibility of a double dip recovery, one can NOT rule that out, but the odds seem to favor a regular recovery.

Things will "approach" the new normal at different times in different parts of the country. The projections suggest that unemployment in 2010 will still be higher than the past normal before the recession, but over the next 5 to 10 years slowly work its way down.

HOW DO I SEE THE EXPECTED RECOVERY & SMART DEALERS:

For the next few months, many of the Dealers will have to offer a good price on the 2009 smart fortwo cars to get rid of old inventory. It would not be a shock to see some more of the lower performing dealers close their doors.

Those dealers who can hang in there to mid summer, will see an increase in sales as the people see the recovery taking place. This won't be the same for all parts of the country, so some areas will do better than others.

Watch for more advertising in 2010. Smart is already showing some TV advertising and more print and TV advertising is likely. The reason I believe that advertising will increase is that the potential market is no longer waiting in line to purchase a Smart and the only way to drum up interest is advertising.

We've gone through the worst of the recession and things look grim right now, but sometime next year, things will look a whole lot better.


Bob Diaz

[Big Panda]

The 'news media' controls everything right now, from how we see our President and world issues to what cars we should buy. IMO the 'news media' has WAY TOO MUCH INFLUENCE on our lives and who do we have to blame? OURSELVES.

That being said, smart will survive if the 'news media' allows it. The more the 'news media' pronounces the smart as a 'death trap' with a 'quirky shifting transmission' and 'barely room for 2', the more likely smart will NOT be around. GM and Chrysler right now are struggling and every time the 'news media' has something negative to say, it GREATLY impacts their business.

For those that don't know me, I work for a large Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge dealer and each time I see a story or read a report on what a POS our products are, it makes me cringe. I don't think they see the big picture that 'if' Chrysler or GM FAILS, the repercussions will be devastating. The vendors already took a big hit with the bankruptcies......colapse of one or both of these manufacturers would literally kill them.

In general, I would just like to see the 'news media' keep their 'opinions' to themselves. The 'news media' is there to report the NEWS....NOT give us their opinion on each and every thought that comes to mind.

I apologize for getting somewhat 'political'. The death of a business, any business, cannot be discussed without some type of political ties as well.

[JPaul]

Originally Posted by Big Panda

... That being said, smart will survive if the 'news media' allows it. The more the 'news media' pronounces the smart as a 'death trap' with a 'quirky shifting transmission' and 'barely room for 2', the more likely smart will NOT be around. ...

That's why it's up to us, (mostly) satisfied smart owners, to spread the opposite view. The best way to do it is to enjoy the car and let is show. Many smiling miles...

[jimvw57]

I quit reading the newspapers and watching the news on TV. it is all too manipulated in my opinion so I choose not to participate. I go for a ride in my smart instead. Way less stress.

[MPrice2984]

Penske needs to add more dealers, where there are dealers they have sold cars to the vast majority of people who want them. Time after time I am asked where can I test drive one, when I say the dealer is 80 miles away their faces go blank. The Yaris is the best selling Toyota worldwide, the Fiesta looks to be a hit in the US (and is the best selling Ford worldwide) as soon as it launches, ditto for the forth coming Mazda 2. smarts will only be sought out by so many and for so long. If you're like me and live in an area of 12 million but the dealer is 80 miles away something is wrong, not the car but the distribution. Just look at Texas, you can't buy one in El Paso but smart Mexico has a dealer in Juarez.
They are not a boutique car, just awesome transportation with terrible distribution. Personally I don't blame Penske, I do blame Mercedes though because I can drive 25 minutes and buy any Mercedes I want, but not a smart.