In 2001 I saw the Smart car for the first time outside of Nice, France. I fell in love. Who wouldn't when they were so small (8' long) they can parks sideways in a normal parking space (3 fit in a normal space), and they get 50-60 mpg. The Smart Tower was used to pick out your car and then, like a vending machine, it would rotate to deposit your choice. Gimmicky, but cool.12,600 people have put money down for tiny Smart car
United Auto Group Inc. said today that 12,600 prospective buyers have put down $99 deposits to reserve a Smart mini-car.
The Smart ForTwo, a two-seat vehicle made by DaimlerChrysler AG, is already sold in Europe and Canada. It’s expected to be available in the United States in early 2008.
United Auto Group, a Bloomfield Hills-based company that operates more than 150 auto franchises in the United States and Puerto Rico, is the U.S. distributor for Smart. The company expects to offer Smart through 50 to 70 dealers in the United States.
Reservations are being taken through www.smartusa.com. The $99 reservation fee will be applied to the purchase of a Smart car or can be refunded if a purchase is not made.
The Smart ForTwo will be available in three trim levels with starting prices from $12,000 to $17,000. United Auto Group announced earlier this week a Smart car tour set to stop in more than 50 cities. The tour, which will offer test drives and interactive displays, runs May through November.
I am one of those 12,600, but I am having some doubts now. Not because I don't love the car and the idea of a tiny car with great gas mileage in America , but because the gas mileage of the European cars 50-60 mpg (69 mpg for diesel) will not be achieved in America. In fact they are only "promising" 40+ mpg, and I have heard on the street that it will be only 37. The 40+ number though is verified by Smart Car USA in an email to me when I questioned this (below).
Dear smart Enthusiast
The smart fortwo is designed to achieve 40+mpg combined for the city and highway.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us via email or by phone at 1.800.smartusa.
Thank you for your interest in smart USA. You will be hearing from us soon!
Michelle Fenner
Customer Service
1.800.smartusa
ZAP the company that is "Americanizing" the car advertises it thus:
What is the fuel economy of the Smart Car?
According to the EPA, the Smart Car, Americanized by ZAP, is one of the most fuel-efficient cars available. Fuel-efficiency can vary depending on road conditions and vehicle operation. Visit http://www.smart.com for European test data.
1 comment:
But hybrid technology paves the way for plug-in hybrid technology which paves the way for all-electric vehicles.increase miles per gallon, fuel saver, increase gas
mileageStill, hybrids run on gasoline, increase miles per gallon, fuel saver, increase gas mileage which is not an alternative to gasoline no matter
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