Why didn't dealers want to sell smart
I read this great article today and felt I had to share it with everyone here. Why does it always seem that corporate america is trying to hold back advancements in technology when it is so important to the enviroment. Well, you can read for yourself, and I for one and buying a smart car as soon as they come out, thanks to eMercedesBenz for bringing this to my attention.
http://emercedesbenz.com/Jul06/18_Mercedes_Dealers_Didnt_Want_Smart.html
http://emercedesbenz.com/Jul06/18_Mercedes_Dealers_Didnt_Want_Smart.html
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http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=119166
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6247371.stm?ls
http://www.inform.kz/showarticle.php?lang=eng&id=147616
Well, you sure sound like you do. So some idiot is blathering about global warming. Big deal.
The reality is that they don't care and cars *all* pollute and destroy our envoronment. ie - "The Prius - only two-thirds the poison of the leading brands!"
So the only solution in my mind is to ignore the media and buy what works for me until a proper alternative like a fuel-cell comes along. The Smart is a good car because it gets motorcycle MPG and is a lot safer and drier than one as well.
Now, true, many people will go on and on about the car being small, slow, and so on - but you know what? It's faster 0-60 than my 4-Runner(it gets to 50mph quickly and then crawls up to 70mph - 50-70mph takes at least 10 seconds). I can easily drive the Smart, because it looks to drive simmilarly, though probably faster than my truck - lol.
And it's infinately faster than my old Dodge Colt I had a decade ago. 0-60 in VW Bug times. Yet I drove that car quite well in city traffic. Fun, too, since like most 3 and 4 cylinder cars, all of the get up and go is at slower speeds. With the implimentation of rev limiters, flogging the little thing will be really fun
Plusm if you look at the weight, it's as heavy as a mid 90s Civic hatchback. They just mounted the engine in the rear like a Porsche and got rid of the big rear end and the useless engine compartment. All you really need is about a foot of dedicated crumple-space up front to be just as safe, despite what your eyes might be telling you.
Shoot - take a new Honda Fit and chop off the engine and the rear seats. Keep the bumpers. Looks a lot like the Smart - and not one bit safer, either.
Plus I have the old 4Runner if I need to haul stuff. $800 a year in insurance and a few hundred in maintainence. Makes great second car. But commuting, I need efficient and space for two peolpe max. Cargo is maybe a few groceries, a car part, or maybe some misc stuff from the local chain store. I mean - how much space does a PS3 take?
Small, inexpensive, a load of safety equipment, and likely to be as unique and cult-ish as the Mini.
I too want a totally petroleum free vehicle. I want to put a sticker on my car "OPEC.. kiss my a__". I have a Scion xA currently and will more than likely get a Smart.
Whoever comes up with an affordable plug-in will see me as an early adopter as well. My angle is terror.... Petroleum pays for bombs. Those who are driving around "alone" in their large SUV's are supporters of terror as far as I'm concerned. :mad:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6032755929049465539&q=ev+electric+car&t- - otal=351&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3
I saw this film about the EV-1 at an odd-ball movie house and was real impressed. A must see.
Yep, better face it - Big oil would rather eat their young than pass up a buck.... and they REALLY like their young!
Not everyone can afford two vehicles or just one small one. And your accusations that anyone who ever drives a large SUV alone is supporting terror{ists} is just outright ignorant. Sometimes large SUV's are needed to haul a lot or carry a load of folks rather than taking TWO or THREE smaller vehicles. Which is more effiecient? My large SUV with myself and 6 passengers going to the local VFW or 3 or 4 of your smaller cars making the same trip?
Yes. I'm in line {a 1235 reservation holder} for a smart. But I find your comment to be lacking in taste at best and offensive.
I know smart fans aren't going to like hearing this, but not everyone can afford to buy a car just for running around when they're alone. So for a lot of us, the smart falls under the category of "expensive toy that I might like to have". Those are the kind of discretionary purchases that are being put off by a lot of people. Not because they really can't afford it, but because the uncertainty of things has made everybody cautious about their spending.
2.683 cars in April
2,695 cars in May
2,545 cars in June
2,559 cars in July
2,420 cars in August
1,778 cars in September
2,236 cars in October
1,889 cars in November
22,281 total YTD
September's drop was due to the factory vacation in August, and IMO November's drop is because the first delivery of '09s didn't arrive until the middle of the month.
I was informed that the car would be available in Dallas on October 23, 2008.
I was out of town on a business trip to Asia and was not returning until November 8. The local manager in Dallas, Zach Gilbert, decided to sell the car before I returned.
I called as soon as I returned but never heard from him. His assistant was kind enough to talk with me and eventually returned my deposit.
This is not the way to build a loyal customer base. I waited 16 months for the car and the local dealer could not wait 16 days for me?
Steve Perkins