[Nikosmart]

Just visited the NAIAS Auto Show in Detroit. smart did have a presence there- a convertible and a coupe, both all electric and stuck forlornly in a corner next to the much larger MB display. That pitiful display looked like an afterthought. There were no smart sales people around to ask questions, although there were probably 40 people crowding around the cars seemingly interested by them. I sat in the cabriolet and was just shocked by the austerity of the dash. Only a tiny pod for the instruments and a weird radio and nothing else. Of course they also had no written brochures- the woman I did find at the empty MB desk said smart is "going green" and doesn't print brochures any more. What a disappointing come down from the 2008 auto show that was standing room only and TONS of interest. The two cars that they had were both badged "10th Anniversary" but the excitement for the brand was long ago vanquished by poor marketing and expensive maintenance. Just sad to see that.:crying:

 

[smark]

10 years ago. The smart car was small, unusual, and unique. Nothing else on the road like it. Was a hot commodity. You had to wait for months to order one, with your $99.00 down. 10 years later, can’t give them away. Our dealership had new ones sitting on the lot for over a year. The same dealership the hosted the 2010 smart Nationals. Finally gave up offering the dead brand.

MB offers a new 453 model. Superior over the 451. Never advertises it. Only one niche vehicle sold here. Never offers the forfour model here. Colors, models, interior trim, wheels selector, a real Brabus, only offered in the European market. Fuel prices are cheap here. Other small cars with better milage. That are more practical, the uses regular fuel. I really don’t see the smart brand, still be here in NA, after 2018.only offering a $$$$ low driving range EV model. Only being sold at 27 dealerships.

The excitement is over here, for the smart brand, is dead.

 

[wrumbarger]

All of Mercedes-Benz lineup was a NO SHOW for the 2018 Washington DC Auto show?

For what I am sure is an incredibly stupid reason, MB decided to not even show up for the 2018 Washington DC Auto Show?

I was able to find two 2018 electric smarts on display.

One in the "German Mobility" display and one in the "Art in Motion".

The one in "German Mobility" was lost in a corner by itself and locked.

The one in "Art in Motion" was being painstakingly "cartooned" by a local artist on a matte white wrap that, as the artist said, "could be easily removed" to convert it back to a "normal" car.

 

[1983JZR3W]

The excitement is over here, for the smart brand, is dead.[/QUOTE]

The excitement may be over for some, but not me. I love my little '09 Brabus coupe and have no intention of ever getting rid of it.

I am 71 and my car is almost nine, but with only 4,900 miles. I think it just may out live me.

 

[InjuredAgain]

I am 71 and my car is almost nine, but with only 4,900 miles. I think it just may out live me.

No! Don't save it for the next owner! Drive it until the wheels fall off!

 

[1983JZR3W]

No! Don't save it for the next owner! Drive it until the wheels fall off!

I did that with my 2004 Z06. Sold it after 10 years with 1067 miles on it. Wish I had kept that one.

 

[smark]

You’ll never ever see this happen again. October 2007, waiting to drive test drive the new smart car. People in line, up 45 minutes.

 

[InjuredAgain]

I did that with my 2004 Z06. Sold it after 10 years with 1067 miles on it. Wish I had kept that one.

Ouch! That might gave been a six-figure car crossing the blocks at Mecum!

Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

[Incochief]

Spin Doctors are still writing the obituary. Once EQ gates open I'm sure something will happen and it will come back to life as a MB unit.:shrug:

 

[Miss Mercedes]

In 2017, smart was present at the Chicago Auto Show behind the MB display. There were not any smart reps at all, just one of two MB reps who didn't bother with the smart display. The lineup they brought with them was rather weird. They had 1 US spec petrol with them (a BRABUS, I believe), 1 Euro spec ED (locked, slightly tinted windows rolled up), and 1 Euro spec "speaker car" by JBL (roped off). Likewise, not much information was had outside of the little tablets that offered you $500 off MSRP (what a deal!) if you bought a smart right after the Chicago Auto Show.

I don't expect 2018 to be much better, but I'm hopeful!

 

[MB DNA]

And Daimler says M-B will skip the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) in 2019.

Mercedes would be joining automakers Mazda, Volvo, Porsche, Mitsubishi, Jaguar and Land Rover that have opted to skip Detroit as they watch their marketing budgets.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...nfirms-it-will-skip-detroit-auto-show-in-2019

 

[jwight]

Those companies recognize that cars are more computers and entertainment than automobiles now, and they'll show their new stuff at venues like the CES in Las Vegas.