I think it is more about PAG's stockholders and the SEC worrying about you after these years of corporate fancy-free with the stockholders assets.
With reservations northward of 40,000 I don't think anyone is too worried about the success of the smart in USA. Also note, 451 sales overseas...
Quote:
Originally Posted by huliq.com
The new smart fortwo has also very successfully established itself on the market. The number of vehicles delivered to customers in November rose by 61 percent to the record-setting total of 10,200 units (November 2006: 6,300 vehicles).
There will be no cars available for dealer stock whatsoever. All cars will be going to reservation holders. If a reservation holder's car comes in and the deal falls through, the dealer can apply to get that car put into their inventory to sell. That is not a guarantee, however.
Just a quick question: Does the reservation form state when the car will be delivered exactly? What that form says may clear up some of the advertising questions. The deposit form says deposit "towards a smart fortwo" and doesn't say a model year or delivery time. Also, there are laws in some states that you can't advertise a model year on a car if it is over one calendar year away or if that model year car will not be for sale in the next calendar year. I am just thinking out loud.
If a reservation holder's car comes in and the deal falls through, the dealer can apply to get that car put into their inventory to sell.
Probably with a positive reply. Otherwise, what? They pay freight to ship it to another dealer if someone has a reservation for that EXACT car? Cost prohibitive not to mention transport damage possible everytime the car is moved. Highly dubious. ANY dealer will want to keep that car and no doubt have a waiting list of walk-ins. OMHO We'll have to see on that one.
I have been informed that the dealer has dibbs on any reservation that is cancelled. Who that dealer sells it to is the dealer's business with the understanding that it will not be sold over MSRP.
But to be honest guys... who are we to say that they wont pump out 50,000 if there are 50,000 buyers... I would leave that up to them to prove! They might be pulling an Apple on us ;) do you smell iphone hype?
Factory capacity is limited. I have not seen any announcements that they are expanding plant capacity. Given the value of the dollar, they are unlikely to divert production destined for other markets.
I have been informed that the dealer has dibbs on any reservation that is cancelled. Who that dealer sells it to is the dealer's business with the understanding that it will not be sold over MSRP.
;)
My dealer (their smart Coordinator in "Business Introduction," not some salesman breaking down his arches out on the floor) told me that, in the case of an orphan, they would go down their reservation contact list in order, giving each in turn a first-right-of-refusal. That said, that may be as much their own business decision as PAG direction; they do have their own smart customer base to “not aggravate.” One thing you can count on is that the vehicle belongs to them; they bought it from the distributor (PAG), insured it while at the dealership, possibly financed it, and all that. No, I don’t think that they will be transporting their vehicle to some other dealer’s reserver unless there is an agreement in place to recover all their costs.
The dealer does have to inform smart of a non-delivery and smart has to review the case before they will put the car back in inventory for the dealer to sell it to whoever they want to. I agree that it is unlikely a car will be taken to back to the factory, but smart can take the car back if it sees reason to.
It is not hard for a manufacturer to pay the money back for the car and pick it up. The reservation holder has priority over the dealer (as it should be), but the manufacturer has ultimate say in this case if someone backs out.
Every dealer will have a different way of selling the cars that fall through. I don't think there will be many.
My dealer pretty much specified the same process as did Fish's. It sounds the most reasonable given the dealers' need not to alienate the early adopters, and the economic burden of moving cars back to central distribution or to other dealerships not in the immediate geographic area.
Perhaps not 15,000. But perhaps 2000-3000 units based on the initial demand. I'm a 1173, and have not been contacted beyond my September configuration.
I would expect that with a January delivery (and all indications that that WILL happen) the car has been produced by now, most likely "on the boat." And even has been unloaded in Maryland and will shortly be on the road to Beverly Hills.
I don't think they're worried about me canceling, there are many more in line behind me.
Dickey,
Your car is going to arrive via ship and is expected to arrive on 1/06 or 1/19.
If yours is arriving on the first ship, it's on it's way already.
I have a clairvoyant (sp?) friend......;)
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