[UASmartStudent17]

Hello!

My Name is Frankie. I am a student at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. I am currently in my last semester as an undergrad and am lucky enough to be working the Smart Car and Mercedes for my final project.

Unfortunately, in Alabama, Smart car is not for sale.

This makes it difficult when trying to gather useful data that will help my group and I create a successful campaign for Smart! If you could please take this survey that my team members and I developed, we would appreciate your help! We look forward to hearing your responses!

Please feel free to comment on this post some of the ways Smart benefits you, photos of your customized cars, and things that you think Smart needs to improve on. All feedback is welcomed!

_https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_a052NZPdVFvuv5P_

Roll Tide,
Frankie

 

[jwight]

Not sure what sort of campaign you are working on, but it should be of interest that smart USA is dropping the gasoline powered 453 (the model currently on sale) at the end of MY 2017. Production of gas powered smarts for the USA and Canada at the Smartville factory will end next month.

 

[1983JZR3W]

Looks like Frankie is a little late to the party.......

 

[Johannesl]

.

 

[wrumbarger]

I would like to take the survey, but the link is incomplete?

Please repost

 

[UASmartStudent17]

@wrumbarger

https://universityofalabama.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_a052NZPdVFvuv5P

Thanks so much!

 

[wrumbarger]

OK
I took the survey

One BIG mistake I noticed is on the last question.

smart IS NOT a Daimler Chrysler brand!

 

[MB DNA]

Took survey - probably should have asked if participant owned any EV?

Also as pointed out, the "Daimler Chrysler question" is very tricky as it was but isn't?

Best of luck with your findings . . .

 

[UASmartStudent17]

Thanks for your responses!

We didn't think Smart was an affiliate either, but the product manager for Smart at Mercedes informed us otherwise!

 

[MB DNA]

We didn't think Smart was an affiliate either, but the product manager for Smart at Mercedes informed us otherwise!

So this project begin in 2007 or could a "Product Manager" at M-B really be that misinformed today?

With so much misinformation being spewed today, "fact checking" should be one of your initial steps BEFORE rollout?

"Daimler-Chrysler agreed 5/15/2007 to a costly deal with Cerberus Capital Management to undo Daimler's merger with Chrysler, ending a partnership hailed nearly 10 years ago as a model of global cooperation and underscoring the shaky financial state of Detroit auto companies."

Daimler to Split With Chrysler, At a Cost

 

[jwight]

Thanks for your responses!

We didn't think Smart was an affiliate either, but the product manager for Smart at Mercedes informed us otherwise!

That is frightening....

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I like those gender options you have going on there. I'm always happy to see surveys willing to not fully adhere to the strict gender binary weirdness western culture established for labels.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me!!!

If I may offer some improvements to the questionnaire:

1. DaimlerChrysler is no longer a thing (thankfully), so smart is simply a Daimler product now.

2. I have two smarts, usually carry 0 passengers, though that wasn't really an option.

3. Race demographics are sorta limited. I'm a mixed race person, so my only option was to choose "other".

4. "Most important features" is also very limited. Performance and looks are also big buying draws for Americans.

5. In the electric car brand section, there is a mix of both hybrids and EVs.

6. Our brand name is "smart" (all lowercase). I'm still researching the origins of "Smart Car", but yeah, the brand name isn't "Smart Car", just "smart", an acronym for "Swatch Mercedes Art".

 

[SmartCarDan]

Not Chrysler, no option for 0 passengers, should have fill in options EV familiarily brands (and no hybrids), demographic questions should ALWAYS be listed last on a survey- never first.

Come on, UA. Appreciate using smart as a topic but this survey design was poor.

 

[MB DNA]

Our brand name is "smart" (all lowercase). I'm still researching the origins of "Smart Car", but yeah, the brand name isn't "Smart Car", just "smart".

From back in the day, smart was never a smart "car" - just simply "smart" which is short for Swatch Mercedes Art.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

From back in the day, smart was never a smart "car" - just simply "smart" which is short for Swatch Mercedes Art.

Oh yeah, I know that!

I was more talking about, who was the first person to just say "well, I don't see any badges on that car, so I'm just going to call it a smart car."?

I've fallen down crazier rabbit holes before. I will research the most inane things.

 

[Niteshooter]

Oh yeah, I know that!

I was more talking about, who was the first person to just say "well, I don't see any badges on that car, so I'm just going to call it a smart car."?

I've fallen down crazier rabbit holes before. I will research the most inane things.

Interesting question, here's something.... Behind the Badge: Yes, There?s Meaning Behind the smart Car Emblem & Name | The News Wheel

Likely some automotive journalist coined the phrase by accident and it stuck. Granted now that we have 'smart' phones and 'smart' (electronics in cars) the term is a bit more ambiguous.