My post wasn't about buying a $25,000
Smart car or Zap.
It was only a comment concerning the supply and demand problem that will be facing some Smart car buyers.
No matter what anyone thinks selling
10,000 plus Smart cars in the Canadian market was a huge accomplishment and a enormous surprise to all involved.
None the less when the cars first became available many Canadian's waited over a year to get a car. Canadians got diesel versions. They had two models to choose from that got around 60 mpg because they're diesels and prices started around $12,100 for the coupe and $15,170 for the cabriolet. This was 2004.
In my opinion the Canadian launch actual made the North American niche market develop into a market that got the interest and attention of many, including Mercedes and DC.
I agree with the smoke and mirrors statement. Anyone who has followed the cars progress or lack there of understands that G & K Zap and smart-automobile, Inc were simply trying to create a market, they used Vaporware tactics and tried to provide for what was at the time an especially minor niche market, without the proper background.
If they (G & K Zap and smart-automobile, Inc) or any one had proper resources the goal to sell 15,000 smarts a year in the larger U.S. cities was achievable.
J.K. Technologies, the very first registered importer who petitioned for smart cars approval. They never got off the ground.
Remember, according to the principles of
G & K Zap and smart-automobile, Inc prices were to start at "$12,000 for the cheapest model, and just over $20,000 for a convertible with all the available extras" "Heidemann, for his part, is optimistic the first smarts in the United States will be ready for purchase in four or five weeks." He said this in an article
written by Miguel Llanos for MSNBC, back on Aug 31, 2004.
My African Grey Parrot could have sold 5000 units at the advertisied prices.
smart-automobile, Inc and G&K did the buying. Cars came from dealer's unsold inventories or wholesalers. Their cost was around $9,000 for a Passion coupe and $11,500 for the Cabriolet, FOB European Port.
These prices were before the cars were converted and did not include shipping to Santa Ann CA for conversion.
Zap sued Mercedes-Benz, SMART-Automobile/Heidemann and G&K, by the way there's is a guy suing God. Zap has sold 500 Smart cars and G & K approximately 4000.
) I for one would not buy a Smart for $25,000. Cost per pound is TOO MUCH for what you are getting. My S-2000 cost around $12 per pound. The Smart at $25,000 would be around $15 per pound even though the cars are in much different classes altogether. The 0-60's can't EVEN compare...that's for sure. I can even get a consistant 30mpg on the highway if I drive respectably and don't kick in the V-tec too much.
;)
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