MInnesota Update

[MNMadMan]

I stopped in at the Bloomington Smart car dealer today. The office is pretty much ready to go. I talked with one of the managers for a bit.

I was told that they will be having a soft grand opening on Sat. A press release will be in the paper.

So far they only have the list of folks getting cars in Jan. They shouldve been contacted already or very soon. I was also told that the reservation number doesnt mean anything. They are expecting about 30 cars give or take every month. The first cars should be showing up next week sometime. They were expecting to have the entire list of reservation holders soon. I was told to stop back next week and they should be able to tell me when my car would be here. They will have a car for the showroom as well as a couple of demo cars for folks to test drive.

Sounded like there was in the neighborhood of 700+ reservation holders for the MN office. But only 400+ cars expected in 2008.

Thats about all for now. It will be nice to know when exactly the car will be showing up.

Waiting patiently

MnMadMan

[propes]

It'll also be nice to know where we are in that list, so we'll have a rough idea when/if we'll get a car.

[MNMadMan]

I stopped by the Bloomington dealership again today. They have cars!!!

Not awhole lot yet, but I was told to stop back on Sat if I want to test drive the new demo car.

Sorry to say they dont seem to be able to look in the computer to see where you might be on the list. I was told they only have the list of Jan deliveries.

So the wait continues.

Since its gonna be so cold this weekend, it might be a good time to go look at the new cars.

Anyone else get any phone calls yet?

[propes]

I stopped by today on my way to a client and asked almost the same exact things. My big thing is I want to find out if I'm low enough on their list, to know if I'm going to get a car this year (ie: if I'm number 3xx out of 400 cars).

I'm going to try to stop by tomorrow morning for a spin. Hopefully it'll include 494.

[jefferios]

So since there isn't a dealer in our near future, can people even buy a smart now?

[ManchVegas]

Originally Posted by jefferios

So since there isn't a dealer in our near future, can people even buy a smart now?

we all know about the woes of being MN smart car owners.

You resurrected a 3 year dormant thread.... because?

[BB Benz]

Over there and Yonder, but not here.
The big trip miles put on my car have been accrued driving to the dealer. Ten minutes to the MB dealer down the street, which won't even order parts for you if you have the part number. SOOO NOT COOL
Now, to make smart attractive to the dealers, maybe they need a CAFE incentive in the way of smarts to access the availability of MB cars. If it's happening to corporate...
Maybe corporate needs to roll out the "did you want fries with that?" in the way of a commuter car or convertible with any Benz. Maybe a Brabus Touring edition with cushier but grippy tires that help reduce buffeting certainly with a turbo and possibly a sport mode as well as an eco mode.
It would also include heat and sound attenuation materials under the rear carpet and under the engine lid, better than on stock. Quiet it down so one can enjoy the nicer radio at highway speeds.

[Jim G]

I read that MB promised an answer in "weeks not months" at the Dells rally. Yesterday I got this in an e-mail from MB:

"We are certainly sure that you would like to see a Smart center in your area to share your love of the brand with others.

The Smart brand is certainly growing and hopefully there will one day be a Smart center in your area.


We appreciate your passion and interest in the brand."

I hope that 'one day' is not their final answer.

[jimvw57]

They seem to be getting more and more vague in their answer.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Jim G

I read that MB promised an answer in "weeks not months" at the Dells rally. Yesterday I got this in an e-mail from MB:

"We are certainly sure that you would like to see a Smart center in your area to share your love of the brand with others.

The Smart brand is certainly growing and hopefully there will one day be a Smart center in your area.


We appreciate your passion and interest in the brand."

I hope that 'one day' is not their final answer.

This was included in the reply (posted in another thread): "All of our authorized dealerships are independently owned and operated. "

That's really the issue IMHO - unless one of the M-B dealerships makes a business decision to take on selling smarts there's nothing M-B USA can do (including threatening to take away their franchise - I'd like to see that lawsuit!) So, this will be decided (again, IMHO) on a purely business basis.