Why no smart at Chicago Autoshow?

[jpkherd]

I went to the Chicago Autoshow yesterday. No smarts to be found.

Not much else there of excitement other than the new ZR1 Corvette.

smart was there last year, tucked into a little space within the Daimler space. Nothing this year. I understand that they already have some momentum and the 08 year seems to be spoken for, but I would think that just on a PR standpoint they would want to have some sort of a presence. I also understand how much cost and hassle it is to deal with the trade show BS. But still?

My smart car doesn't take too much real estate, so Mercedes could have spared a little room for a fortwo or two?

Mercedes had a used car and even a restored 70's car in their area. Surely a smart or two would have created more buzz than a used 2002 e class?

jpkherd

[Willy]

I was supposed to go to the show in Chicago yesterday, but the weather kept me here at home.

The Milwaukee Auto Show begins next weekend, and while it's not in the same league as Chicago, they will have smart represented.

[4two4me]

There was no smart display at the Washington D.C. auto show either. Maybe they have more reservations than they can handle already.

[rgaus]

A lot of the dealerships are apparently worried about the low margins on these new smarts. Since Penske isn't fronting any advertising dollars, the cost of inserting the smarts falls directly on the new smart dealerships. A lot probably does have to do with the long backlogs, but you'd think some of this "in front of the public" publicity would help them. Its a matter of dollars invested versus dollars to be gained from the event, I suppose. A shame.

Ron Gaus, asmartcar.com

[mfoster]

Smart Center Devon had a very nice four car display at the Philadelphia car show. Right beside the Minis. Certainly a lot of buzz around the cars.

[dennyrex]

manhattan dealer said they'd be at the NY show next month.

[SPDYII]

There were no smarts at the Houston Auto Show either.

[angel]

Why pay to display a vehicle at an auto show when current demand already can not be met? Why generate more orders when the orders now are being orphaned because of long wait times? Probably lots of work to be done before most dealerships will want/need to have the smart at local auto shows. Just a guess though.