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Can the Smart Car Get Its Buzz Back?

Forbes -- In 2008, when gas cost $4 a gallon, the fuel-sipping Smart Fortwo looked like a smart buy. Now the quirky two-seater made by Daimler (better known for its Mercedes) looks like a fad that has run its course. After a nice start in the U.S.--24,600 vehicles in 2008--Smart sales fell 41% in 2009, the victim of a weak economy and lower gas prices. The tally was even worse in January, with sales of 278 cars, a decline of 84% from a year earlier.

Can it be revived? A big name in the auto industry, Roger Penske, is behind the car. He's the chief executive of Smart's U.S. distributor, Penske Automotive Group (PAG). In January he asked Jill Lajdziak, who ran General Motors' Saturn division for a decade, to recapture some buzz for the car.

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Submitted Mar 09, 2010 By: Mudsprings

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Barry_1 Champion Author Ontario Posts:36,860 Points:2,094,095 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Jun 17, 2010 10:16:13 PM Ignore Barry_1 Report Abuse The picture is real, but the car is a Ford Escape, not a smart car!... Fake ’smart car’ crash picture
safetycaptain All-Star Author Tampa Posts:541 Points:188,965 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jun 16, 2010 10:53:25 AM Ignore safetycaptain Report Abuse Let's not forget what a smart sandwich is....sandwich
albert2008 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:2,274 Points:491,310 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jun 16, 2010 7:41:06 AM Ignore albert2008 Report Abuse its hard to say
Barry_1 Champion Author Ontario Posts:36,860 Points:2,094,095 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Jun 16, 2010 7:39:24 AM Ignore Barry_1 Report Abuse The Diesel unit that they stoped making got a very nice 75+ MPG! <;-D
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:14,269 Points:1,830,945 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2010 11:07:33 AM Ignore gvan Report Abuse 33 mpg city and 41 mpg highway just isn't that great for such a sub-subcompact. There are other cars that are bigger and can get equivalent mpg. The novelty wore off after the first year.
Barry_1 Champion Author Ontario Posts:36,860 Points:2,094,095 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Jun 15, 2010 2:30:29 AM Ignore Barry_1 Report Abuse Bring BacK the Diesel! <;-]
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:5,995 Points:1,536,065 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2010 4:33:50 AM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse I would never want to drive a Smart on the highway.
NHLiveFree Champion Author New Hampshire Posts:3,782 Points:630,035 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 11:35:42 PM Ignore NHLiveFree Report Abuse Smart Car is dumb. Unsafe tiny roller skate at any speed.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,150 Points:591,800 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2010 9:10:58 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse CiVX - that's the only problem with that engine - it's for mini city trips, not long distance.
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,902 Points:493,210 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:31:08 PM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse They need to increase the mileage, 40 mpg is wose then my 92 Civic.
Amtrgas Champion Author Oakland Posts:2,090 Points:752,355 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 11:00:41 PM Ignore Amtrgas Report Abuse The Smart car is more a fad car. Not one that will sell year after year.
52MPG Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,120 Points:731,660 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:52:33 PM Ignore 52MPG Report Abuse This car is to small for me. Tire size is so small it would seem to give a very rough ride on a rough road.
FastAndy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:4,203 Points:1,079,710 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 10:00:00 PM Ignore FastAndy Report Abuse I guess if you don't mine waring your car, it might.
rfaramir Veteran Author Gasbuddy Posts:306 Points:143,920 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:59:30 PM Ignore rfaramir Report Abuse If they can get customers to buy it, more power to them. Competition in vehicle designs is a good thing. Me personally, no way. Too underpowered (and I'm NOT a sporty type person) is the main thing. Less of a factor is the looks, it's just weird, but I said the same thing about the PT Cruiser, which I can stand now. And gas being too cheap? Just wait. It'll be over $3 soonish, over $4 too soon, and 5, 6, 7 and so on when the dollar finally realizes its real lack of value (because they've printed too many already).
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,627 Points:489,405 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:55:59 PM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse My tween daughter likes them but about as appealing to mature adults as "Hello Kitty".
Kamakani Champion Author Hawaii Posts:1,790 Points:542,625 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:40:08 PM Ignore Kamakani Report Abuse Too small. I want to live a bit longer.
nightworker998 All-Star Author Maryland Posts:682 Points:280,620 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:24:30 PM Ignore nightworker998 Report Abuse Is that the stupid looking munchkin mobile I see on some dealer lots its shorter than anything else on the road
OGW Champion Author London Posts:1,200 Points:635,490 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:12:30 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse They may be called Smart cars but it seems a lot of stupid people seem to be driving them. A guy driving one and pulling a 23' boat passed me on the freeway cutting in and out of traffic. 10 miles down the road they were both in the ditch, car demolished and the boat would now sink if he put it in the water. As they were putting him in the ambulance he said he thought somebody must have hit his boat because it came around and smacked the car. Nobody hit him, he should have never been on the road pulling that boat as well as he was driving like an idiot. The car is less than half the size of the boat. Just stupid.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:3,304 Points:671,915 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:10:05 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse Maybe it will come back when the prices rise again. But it is only a 2 seater and only intended for in town use.
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:1,581 Points:350,725 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:08:31 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse Not for me.
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,806 Points:1,082,745 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:05:31 PM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse LilRedWagonIn: You have a future as a top executive with any super big corporation!
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:3,448 Points:1,030,820 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:01:07 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse I heard it codts a lot for body work.
bozo All-Star Author Boston Posts:782 Points:1,293,630 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:00:23 PM Ignore bozo Report Abuse not ready for prime time.
fightbigoil71 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,592 Points:554,900 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:52:49 PM Ignore fightbigoil71 Report Abuse I wouldn't buy one
minnesotagirl All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:979 Points:247,905 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:50:28 PM Ignore minnesotagirl Report Abuse Too expensive of a car
RobRD Champion Author Alberta Posts:3,828 Points:896,020 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:49:17 PM Ignore RobRD Report Abuse It is too bad because I think it is a cool little car.
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,626 Points:567,210 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:46:29 PM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse Redesign it, put a new engine in it, change the name, move the manufacture and assembly, and then sell it to China.
Jeeputtputt All-Star Author Cincinnati Posts:523 Points:143,675 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:34:25 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse Catchy name...Dumb buyer
northeast2 All-Star Author New York Posts:521 Points:275,480 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:33:06 PM Ignore northeast2 Report Abuse jb107 and asbury09 are right: when you can't drive the vehicle on the highway, you're turning it into a limited-use toy. I saw one on I-278 yesterday going over the speed limit and thought how dangerous it was for the driver. It's a station car: from house to train station and back. I would never put my kids in the car, no matter how good the car seat.
beachbumCA Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,869 Points:729,870 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:30:30 PM Ignore beachbumCA Report Abuse I am too smart for the smart car. lol
jb107 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,498 Points:1,607,395 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:27:02 PM Ignore jb107 Report Abuse Say one on Interstate 80 yesterday. There was an 18 wheeler in front of it and another one behind. It looked like a postage stamp between two bookends. I wouldn't even ride around the block in one.
burgerlover Rookie Author Santa Fe Posts:17 Points:2,820 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:25:29 PM Ignore burgerlover Report Abuse They didn't have their marketing effort organized well enough. I waited 14 months for the one I had ordered and was then told that they had lost the paperwork and would I be interested in buying an orphan that was similar to what I had ordered. I said no. The car was fun to drive and is popular everywhere in the world that doesn't have Federally subsidised auto and fuel industries. Next time someone wants to complain about taxes, look at petroleum industry subsidies and our interstate highway system and try to imagine where that money came from.
Asbury09 Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,192 Points:520,455 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:17:35 PM Ignore Asbury09 Report Abuse for a commuter car Smart is probably a reasonable buy, however it is not suitable for the transportation of children
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:3,310 Points:574,530 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:14:06 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse I still see them around and think how I wouldn't want to use it on Interstates. Especially when a lot of 18-wheelers are around.
herbiepopnecker Champion Author British Columbia Posts:8,561 Points:1,509,290 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:10:02 PM Ignore herbiepopnecker Report Abuse I can tell you what there was left. The passengers! If you're worried about the size of your car for safety reasons, you're admitting you're a crappy driver.
TXGasPriceSpy Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,485 Points:464,920 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:08:52 PM Ignore TXGasPriceSpy Report Abuse I think it will be a while before these small cars do real well.
lightbulbman2008 Champion Author Worcester Posts:41,305 Points:613,735 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:07:28 PM Ignore lightbulbman2008 Report Abuse not at this time, maybe later on in the Fall or early winter.!!!!
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:7,786 Points:873,885 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:05:36 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse hope it doesn't have Toyota's electronics; about as tough as an Isetta in a frontal collision.
rugbyphil Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:13,560 Points:2,511,615 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:00:02 PM Ignore rugbyphil Report Abuse Cute, but deadly...
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:31,133 Points:1,257,695 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:45:04 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse 2granny wrote: >I seen one in an accident there was nothing left of it. There's not much there to begin with.
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:5,145 Points:514,395 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:44:04 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse My next car purchase would be a sub-compact and I like the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa hatchback. But I would never consider a Smart Car, it is just not a good value. It is the least versatile car on the market, it is just way too small. I can easily picture myself in a situation where a Smart Car just wouldn't be able to get the job done. Whether it would be a third person, or a bulky item that I would need to transport. Other cars can get the job done. Smart Car is not smart, they should create its own category, the "sub-sub-compact."
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,052 Points:807,255 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:41:05 PM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse Let the Europeans suffer with those "cars".
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,052 Points:807,255 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:40:22 PM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse Buzz back??? Hahaha. People want a real car that is comfortable, fast, has cargo space, is pretty, cheap, anemities and is spacious.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:2,295 Points:543,300 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:38:51 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse Try a Honda Fit instead of a Smart. The gas mileage is fairly good and it is much safer. Plus the reliability is much better.
majorfall Champion Author New York Posts:10,644 Points:2,134,940 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:38:34 PM Ignore majorfall Report Abuse Prius is more fuel efficient and the Smart's only advantage is tight parking like in Manhattan.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:17,883 Points:1,328,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:31:01 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Smart Car? No way! That’s something I would never, ever consider buying new or used. I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new or different.
kidrockTX Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,854 Points:507,845 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:30:07 PM Ignore kidrockTX Report Abuse way to little for most familys
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,389 Points:696,980 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:27:03 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse Help! Somebody call the analogy police.
DocWyeth Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:12,550 Points:1,111,480 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:26:58 PM Ignore DocWyeth Report Abuse They should turn it into that three wheeler in the UPS commercial. Now that is a smart cart.
methaneman All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:739 Points:767,180 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:25:55 PM Ignore methaneman Report Abuse Hitting a raccon with a smart car is like hitting a moose with a pickup. I will take the odds with the pickup.