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Chief executive says company feeling ‘positive’ about introducing minicar. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13146541/)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/SMART_Parade.jpg

Reuters - June 5, 2006

FRANKFURT - DaimlerChrysler is leaning toward launching its Smart minicar in the United States, Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche said in a newspaper interview on Sunday.

"At the moment, the tendency is clearly positive," Zetsche said in an interview with Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.

A final decision on whether to sell the car in the United States will be taken this month, he said.

Zetsche repeated that he expected the loss-making Smart unit to turn a profit in 2007.

Smart is focusing on building only a two-seat model after deciding to scrap its slow-selling four-seater earlier this year.

The unit, which has been restructuring to stem losses, had already dropped its roadster model a year ago and also abandoned plans for a Smart offroader.

Smart? Unless this ungainly machine can deliver real FE close to a CVT Insight, the proper name may become STUPID.........

The Europeans love those things! The Smart obviously won't replace the family car, but they have distinct advantages for those who can get around (or are drawn to) its inherent funkiness. It's primarily a city car, not meant for people who spend loads of time on the highway. The sheer tininess of it allows for parking in spaces where normal cars couldn't park sideways...a huge plus in tight European citys, and presumably in many US cities as well. Oddly, the Smart is also quite safe despite its very short length. And, obviously, there's the mileage issue. The diesel version is the king, but the gas version is no slouch, either. There are a few in the GH database if you want to see some "real world" numbers.

No lie, it's a niche car. It's an upright two-seater with spare room only for a few bags of groceries. Think of it as a Mini on stilts. At the right price (that's key) it could sell quite well to the right people.

To get this, you have to know I'm from Dallas. ;)

If I got a Smart, I'd name it "Dirk (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dirk_nowitzki/?nav=page)". (helps if you remember Wilt Chamberlain getting into a VW Rabbit ads) :D

Hi Bill:

___A repost of sorts but the Smart Diesel has done some pretty amazing things in terms of FE in the past. The Insight can easily take it out but not much else while out on the highway?

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Smart_FourTwo_Challenge.jpg

The 100 MPG Challenge Completed (http://100mpg.ca/?p=95)

Top 5 tanks:

113 mpg - Imperial // 94.1 mpg - US gallons
Prince Albert to Yorkton
111 mpg - Imperial // 92.5 mpg - US gallons
Brandon to Moosomin
106 mpg - Imperial // 88.3 mpg - US gallons
Massey to Mitchell
104 mpg - Imperial // 86.7 mpg - US gallons
Sydney to St Johns
101 mpg - Imperial // 84.2 mpg - US gallons
Penticton to Hope

___The diesel SMART’s are lowly performers but would have plenty of steady state performance for a hypermiler imho. It is to bad the US will never see the SMART ForTwo CDI due to her diesel’s emissions :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne; I am familiar with the SMART; there is a dealer here in Kirkland, WA called the Green Car Company. They are an authorized ZAP network dealer. They imported a fairly large # of 2005 Smarts, americanized. They are selling them here locally for $27,000 !! They claim an EPA estimate of 40 mpg highway and city. It's a gas powered turbocharged 61 hp 3 cylinder, with a 6 speed clutchless tranny. That is very poor efficiency for a small, lightweight, expensive vehicle. (I wasn't speaking of the Diesel model) The car is being purchased more as a trendy, green, cult following car. And I guess there are a few who have been sold by claims of it's "super high fuel economy"?.....give me a break..

Since when has the EPA numbers been of any use to anyone on this site? :D