Possible smart sales curve chart

**jwight** · 03-25-2008, 06:51 PM

Hope this won't happen but it's a possibility.

SPDYII · 03-25-2008, 07:11 PM

If smart doesn't change that is exactly what will happen. Only I think their might be more then just the IQ as competition. Bad for smart. Good for people wanting to buy very small cars.

xcrew229x · 03-25-2008, 07:42 PM

With gas likely to top $4.00 a gallon very soon, there will be plenty of buyers for any number of small cars. Anybody else get the impression that IQ was at this point Euro only?

4-2NV · 03-25-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwight

Hope this won't happen but it's a possibility.

Might be just the opposite of what you think. The first 30K cars may be early adoptors. Entry by other companies into the micro car fray may simply validate the idea of micro cars for a much larger number of folks on the sidelines, which will both provide market share for the new entries, but also increase the overall market size. The result, while less than 100% of the market for Smart, total Smart sales could hold or increase along with production capacity.

**jwight** · 03-25-2008, 08:17 PM

Obviously I have no idea what will happen two years from now - just threw this out to generate discussion & get some PowerPoint practice.

SmartBob · 03-26-2008, 02:47 AM

jwight, LOL. Yeah, I don't see this a real concern for me accept that if the iQ is cool I could trade my Smart for it if I ever get it. hehehe

meaux61 · 03-26-2008, 03:26 AM

It was my understanding that the IQ is for Europe. The safety features are not up to American standards yet. I am sure that they will put that on speed up mode now that they see how the smart is doing here. I am a toyota person. I have owned 9. I just need to see that they put the same thought into safety that MB has. When I shpped for a car for my kids, I had to go up to the Camry because they do not put ABS on Corollas. Give me the reliability of a toyota with the safety of a smart and I am there in a heartbeat.

Meaux

Carnut · 03-26-2008, 04:55 AM

Should smart switch to a double clutch tiptronic (like VW DSG) and run flat tires the numbers will change. In its present form, as I opined previously, PAG has really positioned this car in a boutique market for city drivers. They will not go much beyond 74 dealers and 25-30K annual sales. With their internet business model it works for them and the dealers.

MPrice2984 · 03-26-2008, 10:33 AM

The chairman of Toyota told Automotive news last week that the IQ will come to the states as soon as it is certified for the US safety laws. It is still a foot longer than the ForTwo but does have the child seat in back.

**jwight** · 03-26-2008, 10:35 AM

Knowing Toyota, that certification is on a fast track. My crystal ball seems to be working OK.