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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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VDubBill Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,007 Points:487,935 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:8,122 Points:1,150,925 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.
eromitlab Champion Author Huntsville Posts:4,023 Points:821,615 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:19:16 PM Ignore eromitlab Report Abuse I would never want to drive a Smart on the freeway. Talk about a death trap. I'd wager enough people think the same way to where the Smart isn't an appealing choice. You might as well be on a motorcycle.
fedex09 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:605 Points:656,035 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:15:03 PM Ignore fedex09 Report Abuse I agree with holywood2311.
jwduke1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:11,330 Points:2,222,360 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:04:44 PM Ignore jwduke1 Report Abuse You don't see them things, like you did!
snewwee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,994 Points:1,015,080 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:03:41 PM Ignore snewwee Report Abuse The Smart Car. A car not too smart for the safety consiense driver.
hollywood2311 Rookie Author North Carolina Posts:7 Points:191,915 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:02:47 PM Ignore hollywood2311 Report Abuse It would be nice if the damn thing got more than 35 mpg. A Honda Fit can get better mileage, and it seems like its twice the size of the Smart Car. Also, the stock Mini Cooper gets 37-38 mpg, and is a heck of a lot more stylish than the Smart. If the Smart can get the diesel engine that it has in Europe, then maybe people will give a crap about it.
alpca7605 Rookie Author Oregon Posts:38 Points:424,110 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 7:00:56 PM Ignore alpca7605 Report Abuse I parked next to a red one a year or so ago at a grocery store. When I came out a man & his teenage son were putting groceries in the very tiny space in the rear. I asked about mileage, and the man started bragging about getting 38 MPG. My response was, "Oh, wow! I get 50 miles per gallon in my Jetta TDI." Enough said. The look on his face was priceless! They're not at all smart.
plebe2001de Champion Author Delaware Posts:1,077 Points:221,615 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:58:50 PM Ignore plebe2001de Report Abuse I hope they can succeed.
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:4,606 Points:2,113,420 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:58:42 PM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse I thought Penske was smarter than that. I'm going to have to reevaluate that assessment.
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,928 Points:712,905 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:58:22 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse I sure wouldn't want to get hit in one of them. Especially if it were a Lincoln Towncar like I drive ocassionally. It would look like a squashed aluminum coke can. You would have to leave the occupants in the car. There would be no way to get them out. Just have to bury the squashed car and all.
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:1,360 Points:513,020 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:57:48 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Overall value not there, should get better mileage for small size, safety issues, low price is not everything
paulydel Champion Author Delaware Posts:4,233 Points:467,180 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:54:43 PM Ignore paulydel Report Abuse No matter which choice we make we will get screwed.
bullworth Champion Author St. Louis Posts:6,377 Points:1,136,855 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:52:44 PM Ignore bullworth Report Abuse That small of a car should get much better gas millage on regular fuel.
Barneyt Rookie Author Fort Worth Posts:12 Points:359,540 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:51:32 PM Ignore Barneyt Report Abuse the Smart car only takes premium gas, here in texas that adds 10% to the cost of a gallon of gas. no gain there!
rfe330 All-Star Author Winston-Salem Posts:700 Points:229,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:50:52 PM Ignore rfe330 Report Abuse As an added bonus, you can be buried in them after you're squashed by an SUV.
arvo87 Champion Author New Mexico Posts:2,940 Points:584,615 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:49:52 PM Ignore arvo87 Report Abuse good car for an in-town commuter, but not out on the highway
beachnut Champion Author Michigan Posts:9,735 Points:1,914,485 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:47:48 PM Ignore beachnut Report Abuse I agree with whoever said that Mr. Penske knows his stuff.
ChiKid Champion Author Denver Posts:1,858 Points:517,520 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:46:44 PM Ignore ChiKid Report Abuse When gas is over $3 a gallon this summer they will begin to make a come back.
WilW Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,357 Points:1,725,345 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:44:41 PM Ignore WilW Report Abuse Silly looking little car. No one driving one looks "smart". Dorky, maybe, but not smart. Perhaps they should call it "The Dork".
DellMan Champion Author Omaha Posts:1,917 Points:442,925 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:42:41 PM Ignore DellMan Report Abuse These are the government mandated death traps. They don't care about the accident rate so long as it helps the environment.
HybridPete Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,573 Points:895,970 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:41:04 PM Ignore HybridPete Report Abuse Small Scary Car!
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:4,006 Points:1,153,660 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:38:44 PM Ignore DellDude2 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.
ShabbyPA Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,089 Points:328,240 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:26:15 PM Ignore ShabbyPA Report Abuse my civic gets better milliage than the smart car
chequenman Rookie Author Ontario Posts:68 Points:63,575 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:21:47 PM Ignore chequenman Report Abuse Penske didn't get this rich by being stupid!!
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,805 Points:1,331,500 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:20:40 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse It has a huge market potential if marketed the right way and to the proper target -- intercity coommuters. Price is an issue.
FranklinGasGuy Champion Author Nashville Posts:3,590 Points:706,235 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:18:18 PM Ignore FranklinGasGuy Report Abuse My old civic got much better MPG's than any car today. It was bigger that the Smart Fortwo. Would be nice to still have it.
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:3,012 Points:564,725 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:07:20 PM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse If it's out of Penske's shop it's gotta be good.
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,205 Points:595,660 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:07:03 PM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse Most two car families cant get past the realization that 5 days of the week you can drive it to work & back & to the store & back alone in it. If it cant carry the wife & kids people wont buy it.
4warned Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,248 Points:1,258,910 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:06:23 PM Ignore 4warned Report Abuse Better off with a motorcycle, you can at least move when you need to.
nigelb Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,502 Points:528,465 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 6:01:19 PM Ignore nigelb Report Abuse Too small for most of us.
MRED3 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:2,265 Points:443,245 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:53:16 PM Ignore MRED3 Report Abuse It was Saturn.Drive one of them and think about it an you will no.There too small for one thing and another thing there only two seats.
jocamat Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,486 Points:1,292,135 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:52:38 PM Ignore jocamat Report Abuse They are really too small. If they were 4 seaters, they might have a chance. I just can't imagine getting hit by a regular sized car or worse truck. I saw a clip on TV testing small cars and that it leaves the ground when hit.
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:4,388 Points:313,600 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:52:14 PM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse This vehicle comes no where near filing my needs. Imagine having a head on while driving this vehicle!!!!
CorvairHaven Veteran Author Cleveland Posts:350 Points:510,570 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:42:48 PM Ignore CorvairHaven Report Abuse I love this quote: "The laws of physics just don't favor that vehicle,"... As an aside, wasn't Penske the one who backed out of buying Pontiac? Or was it Saturn?
jscdig Champion Author Maine Posts:5,990 Points:548,915 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:42:07 PM Ignore jscdig Report Abuse The Smart might make sense if it got 50-60 mpg, but I understand it only gets in the 30 range. There's a lot more cars out there for the money with more room, more economy and make more sense.
BM4225 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,484 Points:1,178,370 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:42:06 PM Ignore BM4225 Report Abuse It's cute, but in most cases impractical.
LeftLane1 Champion Author Georgia Posts:5,368 Points:894,325 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:41:26 PM Ignore LeftLane1 Report Abuse More of a Death Car if found on our Freeways.... We noticed that a large group of those "S-Cars" were in a parade (2 years in a row) and that each year they gave off a Fowl Odor when they passed by the crowd, Has anyone else notice that they stink? --Odd. I personally think Go-Carts are for kids in the Back Yard, but If I lived in a INNER-CITY with Limited space, VERY Short trips, it Might be worth considering, I don't, so I wont be caught DEAD in one.
Dancin Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,221 Points:1,784,145 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:39:31 PM Ignore Dancin Report Abuse I hope it does not. A bad, and dangerous, idea. It might make for a cheap commuter car to the train or bus, but at the cost of operating a car in Toronto, it is not worth having.
dhnbBUG Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,621 Points:732,055 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:37:06 PM Ignore dhnbBUG Report Abuse Cramped, noisey, not-good-enough fuel economy. Not Smart.
BWD Champion Author Charleston Posts:2,422 Points:1,619,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:29:34 PM Ignore BWD Report Abuse Never going to work.
Somis1 Champion Author Ventura Posts:8,343 Points:1,664,415 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:28:52 PM Ignore Somis1 Report Abuse And "big name" Roger Penske is unbiased? The Smart needs to get way better fuel economy to make up for it's shortcomings.
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:11,054 Points:1,251,275 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:28:31 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse It should have been named the "Dumb Car". Most people aren't dumb enough to actually buy one though.
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:2,839 Points:725,225 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:27:43 PM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse They look like a slightly more rugged version of a golf cart (or affectionately know as a death trap on wheels). Still they would be OK for around town and the good mileage would be the best part of the deal. But for a main car I would not such a car. If I lived in a big city though this could be a winner...
76FLH All-Star Author Virginia Posts:505 Points:183,925 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:26:57 PM Ignore 76FLH Report Abuse The diesel powered version (only available overseas) gets MUCH better MPG than the gasoline version.
vegaland Champion Author Houston Posts:2,403 Points:501,795 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:24:11 PM Ignore vegaland Report Abuse What buzz? It never made sense. Low power two seaters have never done well here. Daimler has lost a ton of money on them.
ashishpa All-Star Author St. Louis Posts:744 Points:168,775 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:22:30 PM Ignore ashishpa Report Abuse I doubt that was it was smart then as well and definitely the answer is no.
tnsilvertip Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,199 Points:444,890 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:16:38 PM Ignore tnsilvertip Report Abuse It will be a tough sell.
bills55 Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,178 Points:303,950 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:15:11 PM Ignore bills55 Report Abuse I never thought it was that smart
mplato Champion Author Columbia Posts:4,236 Points:1,015,685 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:13:26 PM Ignore mplato Report Abuse I agree....a quick answer is no.
swrestler Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,210 Points:596,235 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:13:25 PM Ignore swrestler Report Abuse NO......
garman87 Champion Author Austin Posts:1,290 Points:1,512,800 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2010 5:12:19 PM Ignore garman87 Report Abuse It's buzz has fizzled but might come back if gas stays at $4.00 or higher.