Motor Trend quote: 'lack of smart success'

[rfernatt]

Umm, I wouldn't count smart - a new US brand with a single niche model launched at the beginning of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression - as being unsuccessful yet. GM? Chrysler?

2009 Tokyo: Single-seat Land Glider Brings Passion to Zero

Nissan plans to build it, although import to the U.S. is very questionable -- consider the lack of the smart fortwo's success. Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn confirmed that the premium Infiniti division will get its own pure electric to complement the Nissan Leaf, but it will not be this car.

[mark08859]

There have been over 30,000 smarts sold in the U.S. Did smart or Penske state any sales goals publicly that would make this number seem bad?

[rfernatt]

If I recall correctly, Penske had stated a goal of 15,000 units per year initially and then had to scramble when the first year's demand hit nearly 25,000. I believe they stated that they hoped to also sell around 25,000 this year as well, but it looks like it will be more in-line with the 15,000 or a little less. But, given the economy, that's not too shabby. And, they're still ahead of their original projections.

[Brabus007]

OK, here we go again... This should be good for Smart Sales...
Return of high oil prices threatens real damage – Telegraph Blogs

[vwW12]

Unless the public massively jumps into cars such as the smart car, how can the new 2016 39 MPG automobile standard be reached? How can a person of limited resources hope to achieve the 39 MPG standard and spend less than $20K?

This year's Fuel Economy Leaders, as published by EPA and reflecting base prices:

$22,400 Toyota Prius (hybrid) 51/48

$27,625 Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD
Mercury Milan Hybrid FWD 41/36

$23,800 Honda Civic Hybrid 40/45

$19,800 Honda Insight (hybrid) 40/43

$34,200 Lexus HS250h (hybrid) 35/34

$26,650 Nissan Altima Hybrid 35/33

$29,750 Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD
Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD 34/31

$11,990 Smart fortwo Cabriolet (automatic)
Smart fortwo Coupe (automatic) 33/41

$26,150 Toyota Camry Hybrid 33/34

$42,535 Lexus RX450h (hybrid, 2WD) 32/28

[gurps]

The smart doesn't measure as a success when using the traditional methods. After all, in 2004 there were 378,000 Honda Civics sold in the US. Big car companies, big numbers. I can see how it is easy to ASSUME that smart isn't successful. The smart can't compare to companies like GM and Toyota using this kind of measurement. So what is an easy to explain measurement of the smart's success that journalists can latch on to

[Brabus007]

Smart Car World Wide Sales for the first 8 months of 2009 were 78,600 units sold... Sales for august were off 23% with sales of only 7000 units... I think their hanging in there considering the state of the world economy...

[kwagar]

I love my smart and was an early adopter. Nothing will make me happier than smart being a huge success in the USA.
However, if we are to be honest with ourselves the smart is yet to be a major success in the US. After a strong start with 30,000 reservations there is now a lot of stock available at most dealers, interest rate promotions are in place and sales for the past month averaged only about 3 cars per week per smartcenter.

When one considers that most of the dealers are in freestanding units, sell only smart cars and the investments they have made their returns currently are likely negative.

There is no doubt that the reduction in gas prices and the terrible economy have impacted sales and that as the economy improves sales should improve but the base is small and more of the published reviews have been negative as oppossed to positive.

My love of the car and high satisfaction with it does not offset the very slow sales and the financial burdens likely being felt by the dealers as well as by smartUSA.

On an objective basis I can't find fault with the use of the term "lack of smart success". This in no way however reduces my enthusiasm for the cars or my continued hopes and wishes for long term success for the brand.

[NCC1701]

Ken, your words worry me. I hope nobody is forecasting smart could sink ... what would then happen to service issues, parts availability?

I honestly believe smart will weather the perfect storm of low oil and bad economy. Not that it will ever come close to moving as many cars as any of the major manufacturers.

Good arguments have been made as to why they can't increase the density of service centers. However, I'm convinced that one change could be made which would greatly improve the brand's viability ... namely, a much better warranty!

[kwagar]

I'm not forecasting that they sink and a distinction needs to be made between smart as a world brand and a manufacturer and smartUSA as a US Licensee.

I do worry about those issues but it depends on many factors, How long does it take to get consumers spending again, how soon do gas prices begin to escalate, etc etc.

I absolutely don't want to be a prophet of doom, don't think that is needed but realistically things need to improve before the US smart can be considered an unqualified success.