"Sweet Pete" weighs in on smart's future

[jwight]

Originally Posted by jimvw57

After the big 'cash for clunkers' fiasco, it is expected that sales will drop for a bit. The people that were on the edge of buying were pushed into buying. now they have to reap the benefits. Stagnant sales for a few months. I wouldn't read anyting into it.

Q&A: Was Cash for Clunkers a Success? - TIME

Was the cash-for-clunkers program a success?
The short answer is yes. The program accomplished what it was set out to do, which was to get consumers back into the showrooms and to jump-start new-vehicle sales.

[JohnnyM]

I agree the CARS program was not a "fiasco".

The use of this label is meant to be a political put down of the administration and not description of the success of the program. This type of propaganda is used is used extensively in the media to sway political thinking.

[SubSlr88]

Was to get some of the older polluting gas guzzlers off the road and replace them with something with higher mileage and less pollution - in an effort to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. NOT boost automakers sales.
It seems most of the Ford F-150s sold were to replace older F-150s with about a 2mpg increase in mileage - really a great deal~! NOT! They should have mandated at least a 8-10mpg increase over the older vehicle to be really effective. And it's being found out that some of the sold vehicles mileage didn't even meet that low 2mpg standard. . .

[2005smartcdi]

IMO if smart doesn't reintroduce the diesel version to North America (yes, the diesel was in Canada for the 2005 and 2006 and then extended into the 2007 MY as a 2006) then they only have themselves to blame for their demise in North America. Gas prices are bound to rebound (pun intended) and the fuel economy is really with the common-rail diesel engine (cdi). My 2005 cdi smart Transport Canada fuel economy rating was 61mpg (Imperial) city and 71 mpg (Imperial) hwy. If Penske is truly shaking in their boots then they should be demanding a diesel model ASAP. I want another diesel smart to replace my 05 smart and if there isn't another diesel smart out there soon I will be looking at the VW TDI as the replacement. My two cents.

2005smartcdi ...

[RVGRINGO]

I agree. If I live long enough to wear out my 2007 450, I will definitely go back to a small VW diesel. I loved the 70-80s vintage Rabbit's simplicity and dependability. Just think, I'll also get four wheels the same, and easily found replacements, as well as a car that can last a hell of a lot longer; not that I worry much about that at 72 years young.