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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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kidrockTX Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,854 Points:507,845 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:30:07 PM Ignore kidrockTX Report Abuse way to little for most familys
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,566 Points:729,015 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:27:03 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse Help! Somebody call the analogy police.
DocWyeth Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:12,779 Points:1,147,110 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:26:58 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:834 Points:795,810 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:25:55 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.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:32,054 Points:1,295,570 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:25:23 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse Just what Penske needs. Jill Lajdziak. Somebody who ran an unprofitable division for ten years as what's known now as Government Motors.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:3,791 Points:676,170 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:24:03 PM Ignore danreino Report Abuse 96sc1...VERY NICE....plus the car is too small for most people..(obviously)
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,002 Points:544,400 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:23:18 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Smart Fortwo is a dumb idea.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:32,054 Points:1,295,570 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:21:52 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse 1Casey wrote: >Why should everyone else insurance go up because of >these cars being totaled if they hit a fly ? A vehicle with a high loss rate costs more to insure. I was in visiting my insurance agent yesterday (got an umbrella policy to keep unwanted lawyers out of my nest egg) and he was commenting about expensive and inexpensive to insure vehicles... commented that if I came in before the next car he could tell me what is cheap to insure.
Rick52 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,260 Points:280,105 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:16:43 PM Ignore Rick52 Report Abuse 96sc1 : AMEN !!!!!
Edtx2009 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,295 Points:267,340 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:13:33 PM Ignore Edtx2009 Report Abuse just another niche car, will never be popular with the general public.
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:2,132 Points:996,575 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:06:59 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse Not the car for everyone, but does o.k. for some. Safety is a concern, what happens if you hit a deer ? Why should everyone else insurance go up because of these cars being totaled if they hit a fly ?
PissedCanuck Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,818 Points:817,930 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:02:44 PM Ignore PissedCanuck Report Abuse Not so Smart after all, especially with the new Fiesta that Ford has coming down the pipes, there are also better alternatives out there.
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:5,566 Points:729,015 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:02:06 PM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse There is no, nor has there ever been, nor will there ever be a more economical personal vehicle than the fossil fuel burning internal combustion engine powered automobile. We may move from gasoline to diesel oil or, perhaps, even natural gas to power our "chariots of fire", but these days will always be remembered as the golden age of personal transportation. Since the untimely loss of my beloved Saturn SC1, I have (freely) chosen to drive a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe (a car I consider to be the ultimate combination of luxury, style, performance, economy, and good old-fashioned American Patriotism), and I am prepared to drive this vehicle until the price of gasoline exceeds $10 per gallon, driving said vehicle becomes illegal, or the economy (or the world) falls off its a$$. Thanks for reading this entire post. [Edited by: 96sc1 at 3/9/2010 9:02:39 PM EST]
SSchmidty Champion Author Illinois Posts:4,332 Points:819,065 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:01:16 PM Ignore SSchmidty Report Abuse Of course, the buying public beyond the USA and european mkts have to wise-up... Hear that China and India?
BKool Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,008 Points:1,436,995 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 9:00:10 PM Ignore BKool Report Abuse should not be allowed on freeway, period...
janctx Champion Author Lubbock Posts:2,639 Points:856,385 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:56:19 PM Ignore janctx Report Abuse prob a good west texas wind could blow them off the road
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,101 Points:771,250 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:47:58 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Ditto to divebomber. Smart car is a safety risk on North America roads.
misterray Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,132 Points:525,040 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:42:40 PM Ignore misterray Report Abuse Smart cars aren't a fad in Europe where gasoline is twice the cost as it is in America. Get Smart!
CDT206 Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:346 Points:446,160 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:42:03 PM Ignore CDT206 Report Abuse Good luck.
divebomber Champion Author Nebraska Posts:1,229 Points:844,230 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:38:48 PM Ignore divebomber Report Abuse Please check Consumer Reports for reliability in a crash in the Smart car and you'll wish you did not buy one:)
sojurner_436 Veteran Author Ohio Posts:398 Points:187,510 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:38:30 PM Ignore sojurner_436 Report Abuse they need to be more durable, more like a Honda; better resale value...
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,232 Points:487,075 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:36:56 PM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse They are way to small and not for me. I seen one in an accident there was nothing left of it.
mark1962 Champion Author Albany Posts:1,516 Points:329,620 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:33:32 PM Ignore mark1962 Report Abuse It is still a great car that gets great milage!
Jo120 Champion Author Arizona Posts:3,449 Points:1,311,030 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:29:41 PM Ignore Jo120 Report Abuse When I see a 'smart' car on the freeway, I get scared for the driver that some SUV will roll over it and squash it. They just don't look safe to me.
lembs All-Star Author San Francisco Posts:781 Points:652,045 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:25:21 PM Ignore lembs Report Abuse you're better off in a civic. cost of ownership is reasonable and you can carry more people plus you can get 2 extra doors.
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,162 Points:273,000 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:21:32 PM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse I'd say I wouldn't get caught dead in one, but that's probably exactly what would happen
YLHandyman Champion Author Orange County Posts:4,594 Points:831,820 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:21:04 PM Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse Too small for me.
jimnecci Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,714 Points:1,495,515 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:16:29 PM Ignore jimnecci Report Abuse Looks like a death trap to me. We have some rather LARGE vehicles on our interstates!
Barry_1 Champion Author Ontario Posts:37,305 Points:2,132,595 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:10:30 PM Ignore Barry_1 Report Abuse I drove a Smart Fortwo last summer & i was recording over 70+MPG Diesel so if a civic gets better milliage than a smart car it would not do it on gas alone it would have to be a hybrid. that like trying compare a MotorCycle to a Mid-size car for MPG ratings its just Not done & nor can a gas only civic get the same MPG as a Smart The Smart for Two is made by a company by the name of SWISS Fuel consumption:
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:4,562 Points:858,720 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:09:25 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse May be ok in town. But not for the open road.
skynet Champion Author California Posts:2,338 Points:442,970 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:03:46 PM Ignore skynet Report Abuse Ditto what train rider said. I looked at the TwoFour but the MPG just isn't that impressive compared to a Yaris, Versa or Civic.
jay4 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:5,792 Points:1,326,080 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 8:00:59 PM Ignore jay4 Report Abuse Concur with TRAIN RIDER. That's why I stay with my bike & my 30-33 mpg, one tank a month Chevy Metro.
rx7racerca All-Star Author Calgary Posts:666 Points:252,865 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:59:50 PM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse Problem is the Smart offers a nominal increase in mileage over cars like the Golf TDI or Honda Fit, but is very slow, seats two, and has little storage space. After an initial splash, people have started to realize this. Its main advantage might be for strictly urban travel where parking is limited, or as a mobile billboard for business, since they are still eyecatching. It was better performing and better mileage when introduced in Canada with a diesel motor and manual transmission, but Americans collectively turn their noses at cars with diesels, so it got an even more lame gas motor when it became available in the US.
Cyberkedi Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,283 Points:1,567,665 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:59:29 PM Ignore Cyberkedi Report Abuse I'm waiting for Detroit to come out with cars like this! Maybe if enough Smart Cars sell - and last - the Big Three will introduce their own micro-cars.
wiwhite87 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,032 Points:117,445 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:57:35 PM Ignore wiwhite87 Report Abuse The car has a great start. Now they need to take it and redesign. Bring out the next iteration. The drivetrain is a weak unit, but it could easily be peppy if tuned up and mated to a good trans. They are right to get the word out again, but it's going to take high gas prices for people to flock to it again, even though it really could do a LOT better than it does for mileage.
TRAIN RIDER Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:4,266 Points:1,795,140 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:55:24 PM Ignore TRAIN RIDER Report Abuse WHEN YOU PAY $15,000 FOR A CAR THAT IS NOT THAT RELIABLE YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE. OTHER CARS THAT COST AROUND THE SAME PRICE ARE MORE RELIABLE AND GET ALMOST THE SAME MILAGE. THEY ARE BIGGER, YOU CAN PUT MORE IN THEM AND THEY REALLY ARE A BETTER DEAL.
DblChek Rookie Author San Antonio Posts:64 Points:121,555 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:54:34 PM Ignore DblChek Report Abuse It still looks like a pregnant roller skate.
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,111 Points:1,148,100 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:52:22 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse VDubBill - great video link posted. 70mph into a multi layer concrete barrier. too bad they didn't have any crash test dummies in those. carefrey - are you over 6'5"? if not, you will fit. check the smart web site for the UK. SMART UK [Edited by: DerHahn at 3/9/2010 7:57:57 PM EST]
cuddlie Rookie Author Arizona Posts:47 Points:61,495 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:47:56 PM Ignore cuddlie Report Abuse To be used in city only.
carefrey All-Star Author Orlando Posts:970 Points:219,055 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:47:44 PM Ignore carefrey Report Abuse That car is made for little people. I can't even get in it because I'm to tall.
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,886 Points:709,980 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:46:15 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse "The car goes from zero to 60 in 12.8 seconds, an eternity when you're merging on to a busy highway." Can you imagine what you would be feeling as you head up the exit to some 4 lane highway and you get into the slow lane and look into your rearview mirror only to see an 18 wheeler bearing down on you and you're only 6 seconds into your 12.8 seconds to get up to the flow of traffic. (Which in the slow lane is around 70 MPH out here in California.) Ouch!! I doubt it was made for highway travel, folks. So, don't even go there.
cj003 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,390 Points:979,725 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:43:32 PM Ignore cj003 Report Abuse designed for city driving.I wouldnt drive one on the expressway .
myambro Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,134 Points:436,665 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:41:53 PM Ignore myambro Report Abuse If it's price were proportional to it's capability it would live. It costs more than most 4-5 seat compacts.
CarrottopNe Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,025 Points:367,365 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:39:23 PM Ignore CarrottopNe Report Abuse Smart cars are not smart.
knot2swift Veteran Author Calgary Posts:462 Points:135,730 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:35:18 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse I give drivers of Smart Cars the same treatment as I give motorcycles. They are almost as easy to kill accidentally. A trucker could hit one and not even notice a change in his speed. On our major highways the limit is 110 km/hr (68 MPH) and everyone does 120 to 130 (75 to 81 MPH). You can bet your ass folks I wouldn't use a Smart Car to go to work in Calgary. Going with the flow could write off my Toyota if I hit a deer. A Smart Car could be written off by hitting a fat bumble bee. Besides looking stupid, they belong in the city. [Edited by: knot2swift at 3/9/2010 7:36:48 PM EST]
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:4,655 Points:1,356,145 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:34:31 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse Smart is not a reliable or economic alternative.
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,353 Points:1,163,735 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:33:47 PM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse with the price of gas rising fast it will be a great car to buy
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:10,754 Points:630,425 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:31:10 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Smart is still a viable alternative.
Dipstick1 Champion Author Amarillo Posts:5,125 Points:1,474,865 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:30:29 PM Ignore Dipstick1 Report Abuse Never knew it had a buzz. Was it recalled for that?
Romey08 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,934 Points:569,375 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:26:53 PM Ignore Romey08 Report Abuse the smart car is not me..I just don't feel safe in a sardine can with wheels
VDubBill Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,002 Points:485,885 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:23:42 PM Ignore VDubBill Report Abuse The Smart Car - When you don't need legs after an accident.
DerHahn Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,111 Points:1,148,100 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:21:21 PM Ignore DerHahn Report Abuse they would get the buzz back if they sold the diesel version here that gets 70mpg. or maybe those that want to do the conversion to put gsxr1000 engine in it. 0 to 60 4.3 seconds with 133mph top speed.