smart value decrease of 45% w/i year????

[rwjrn]

What's stopping the big dealers from making smaller, more fuel efficient cars is shortsightedness. They're jumping on the bandwagon now, they have just been a little too slow to get over the Americans want big cars mentality. Did you notice Chevy had that 0% for 72month sale. It was only for the bigger gas guzzlers. The Aveo is selling better and didn't need the incentive. Nissan has the Versa, Honda the fit, Toyota the Yaris. They are figuring it out, but it takes time to change your production strategy. We've already seen the end of the Hummer. I'm sure there's more to follow.

[jwight]

The Times of India is now reporting that Toyota has informed India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of their plans to begin building small cars in India. The investment will be a less-expensive way for Toyota to produce cars meant for export out of India because of the low standard wage and purchase parity India has with other nations. This means that more can be purchased for the same amount of money in India than in countries like Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

GM is building a mini-car in China as part of a joint venture. As in That car will sell for $3,500.

The major car companies, including GM and Ford, are already making small, fuel efficient cars - overseas. They have the technology and the cars and have had for years, but until now saw no profit (my guess) in reintroducing [remember the Suzuki Swift, Ford Fiesta, Geo Metro?] those cars to the US. Suddenly there's demand in the US and smart gets here first, with Toyota (iQ) and Ford (Festiva) soon to follow.

[JPaul]

To add to jwight's post, importing such cars would require lots of extensive modifications to comply to US rules and regulations, that's a major undertaking that few are ready to face.

[gotta have a SMART]

I appreciate everyone's opinion. I just read the article and began to wonder... I think I'll go along with dannyonee's opinion: "imho. i think this car may be worn out in a few years, 4-5 yrs. there should be some new fuel vehicles and better milage ones at that time. i bought this 1 for right "now" cause the price of gas is a killer. im just going to have to accept whatever happens, but for "today" ive done about all i can."
You do what you can! Hope for the best- prepare for the worst.

[Rmichael1]

Yea but isn't the Volt only gonna go 40 miles on a charge? It looks big an expensive but BRING it on! I say more alternate fuel cars or fuel efficient cars the better! Maybe someone will make an electric mini-van before my kids grow up and move away!

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Rmichael1

Yea but isn't the Volt only gonna go 40 miles on a charge? It looks big an expensive but BRING it on! I say more alternate fuel cars or fuel efficient cars the better! Maybe someone will make an electric mini-van before my kids grow up and move away!

Yep, 40 mile range, 8 hour recharge time, over $30K.

[SmartCard]

Originally Posted by MPrice2984

Most cars loose 40% as soon as you drive off the lot. That is what most dealers would give you in a trade. It does not mean individual sellers will not be able to get close to list if they sell themselves. Unless the smart proves to be junk or Mercedes decides they don't want to market here, these cars will emulate what the mini has done. Just look at how a mini's value holds up on Kelly Blue Book.com.

Glad you excluded the MINI from the 40% drop....Indeed when I was shopping around in '04 for a used MINI in lieu of ordering/waiting for a new one, 1 to 2 year old MINIs with up to 30,000 miles were still within $1000 of MSRP! Needless to say I ordered new.....

I expect (hopefully) the fortwo will retain its 80 - 90 % of its value.

[Dunerunner]

If the car hold up and popularity remains where it is now, I don't see much depreciation in the cars value after 1 year. A low milage, well maintained smart should sell for at least $10 - $14K. Especially if the predictions for gas prices become a reality.

[WickedMessenger]

I have terrible news for some of you: cars are not an investment. They are a consumable. They lose value. How much are your one-year-old clothes worth? How much is your one-year-old computer worth? These products fill a need, wear down, and become obsolete. So, if a lot of great, efficient cars flood the market in a few years, your smart will lose value. Does that mean it isn't a great car right now? Doesn't it get you from point A to point B in fuel-efficient style? Isn't it something you are proud of? And if you plan on keeping it for a long time (like I do) who cares what it is worth? In my state, that just means you pay more personal property taxes. Resale value is of no concern to me. I'm surprised one story from Australia has so many people in a tizzy.

[Karl Roth]

When TaTa gets FMVSS figured out and makes there car to sell for under two grand along with twentyfive hundred dollar Jaguars the car industry will implode, pass the crack..
karl