[phillysmart]

smart was noticeably (at least to me) absent from the Philadelphia Auto Show. Since they project attendance at 250,000 - that is missing a decent audience.

All of the competition was there, including Fiat with a desk, signage and at least six (6) cars in the middle of the Chrysler area.

Mercedes had a large area with at least two (2) of each class, but no acknowledgment that smart exists.

Guess the smart is in the family when it can count towards the CAFE number but not for the public events! Can you say ugly step-child?

Consistent with the closest dealer - Cherry Hill Mercedes - not even having a smart sign on the road (just one on the side of the building) and the smart display on the second floor - with no easy access or obvious signage.

How about the other big shows?

-Barry-

 

[phillysmart]

CORRECTION - smart was there

Since a friend told me that smart was at the show (he is a Nissan dealer and said they were across from Nissan), I went back today.

Sure enough, I had walked by them but did not notice them (or the Fisker booth across the aisle) - that is how they did NOT stand out (and how crowded it was saturday).

There were three (3) 2012 smarts (Pure, Passion coupe, Passion cab with top down) in a small area -
NO signs of any kind
NO literature at all
NO people manning the area

This is not how to market! Every other brand had signs, literature and sales people or models to answer questions. Even Kerbeck was giving out posters showing their lines - Lamborghinis, Aston Martins and Bentleys - though this was not a venue to sell those cars.

The smarts were open and people were sitting in them (and as expected, amazed at the space), but there was no way to open the boot (battery was disconnected).

The cars did have license plate frames from Cherry Hill Smart.

Once again, smart marketing comes across dumb.

-Barry-

 

[kheran]

Apparently it was a dealer sponsored display and NOT the mothership.

With the "no-shows" at auto expos in major markets , is anyone else starting to get a sinking feeling besides me?

 

[dennyrex]

they're saving up for the NYC show ;-)

 

[kheran]

We'll see....I'm planning on going to the show.

 

[SmartJoeMN]

Only the big auto show are sponsored by smart, the more localized ones are done by the dealers.

And if you live in an area with no dealer (such as me) you probably won't find them at your local auto show.

 

[wingsmart]

Not only is the smart stuck upstairs. But I had to chase down a salesmen who wasn't to pleased about getting stuck selling me a car. He normally did fleet sales. I understand thats more money. The guy in the parts department was playing word games, alls I wanted was a tail light. You can keep the attitude.

 

[orngandblack]

Not only is the smart stuck upstairs. But I had to chase down a salesmen who wasn't to pleased about getting stuck selling me a car. He normally did fleet sales. I understand thats more money. The guy in the parts department was playing word games, alls I wanted was a tail light. You can keep the attitude.

exactly why i don't deal with Cherry Hill, no saturday hours for service is a deal breaker for me. I do the oil changes myself. I will only go to CH if it's absolutely necessary.

 

[wingsmart]

One of the reasons I joined this site. Just like the wing site. Lots of info. Only go to the dealer when I have to. They still didn't adjust headlights when I asked. Learned how to here.

 

[JustSmarTnuf]

Apparently it was a dealer sponsored display and NOT the mothership.

With the "no-shows" at auto expos in major markets , is anyone else starting to get a sinking feeling besides me?

I'm getting bummed. I just got my 2009 Passion a couple weeks ago, put a little over a thousand miles on it already, loaded and unloaded equipment in it a dozen times, and I'm nuts about the little rascal. BUT, the nearest "center" is over 200 miles away, and with all the negative reviews and no shows at the shows, plus rumors that the next generation is some sort of Renault coalition, it's looking less and less like the dealer network will be expanding. The place where I usually get lube & oil for my cars doesn't carry the oil filter for a Smart Car, and I DO NOT want to service and work on my car myself. I worked in garages and gas stations all the way through college, and threw in the wrench long ago.

I may have to start planning my exit strategy before interest in the Smart completely goes dry. Besides being ridiculously fond of my Smart, the other rub is that the Fortwo is the only car that will fit in the winter space I have for it in our garage. Not even the Scion iQ or Fiat 500 Pop will fit; and they don't have the super cool moon roof.