Tuesday, Nov 13th 2007 by Reece Bailey Schofield
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+4 [6 votes]
Ken Kettenbeil believes that the wave of our automotive future will be the Smart Car. Mr. Kettenbeil is a spokesman for Smart USA, a smart car manufacturer, who has received 30,000 reservation for their tiny transports.
With a price point around $11,000, you’re sure to see these catch on with at least a niche group. It’s fuel efficiency also adds to the cars appeal at 40-45 MPG.
If you want to get behind the wheel, you should probably jump on that every growing list. Check out SmartUSA.com for more details.
Tiny Smart cars aiming to make it big in USA [via physorg]
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Most folks in the US have no clue what these little “smart cars” are like, but they’ve been in Europe and around the world since 1998. Over 780,000 sold. Designed by Swatch. Safety-engineered and performance-engineered by Mercedes, it was an unlikely marriage of modern style and proud history of auto manufacturing. Though these new smart cars will be sold in America in mass in 2008, their older brother has been with us about 16 months. In 2003, an auto converter became frustrated by Mercedes’ refusal to bring the smart car to the US since 1998. He went to the Department of Transportation and EPA and asked for permission to change the European models to meet US safety and emissions standards. After three years of work, he was granted that approval and began selling the Euro Design smart cars in April, 2006. Just two months later, Mercedes announced that they had changed their minds and would introduce an Americanized smart car in 2008. They will be distributed through Penske Automotive Group, not Mercedes. The 1000 converted models are now almost all on the streets across the country, but their selling prices are significantly higher than the 2008 models. Though the entry level smarts will be offered in 2008 at $12,000, the currently available higher end converted smarts are at $26,900. The high cost of conversion, as well as the shipping and import costs from Europe forced this higher price.
Still, the owners of these cars have all shared their common feedback… there is no car, at any price, that will attract the positive attention from passers-by, than the smart car. It is not the miles/gallon. It is certainly not the price. It is the unique style and design, so different from any car on the road, that makes this car magical. As magical as the only prior car in history to bring these smiles to this country… the fifties Beetle. The new ones in 2008 will share this attraction with their older, but littler brother. Converted smarts are 8′-3″. The new ones are 7″ longer. Current ones have Mercedes engines. New ones have Mitsubishi’s and are more powerful. The looks, however, will cause the same smiles. Get ready for this phenomenon, America. When you see one in person, you’ll understand. There is no way to understand it until then. About 35,000 folks have put down $99 to get in line for the new smarts. To add your name to the list, go to http://www.smartUSA.com. Get ready to smile. Smart cars will change America, one smile at a time.
Ron Gaus, aSmartCar.com
I’ve had a background with Smart cars for almost five years now - my father owns a transportation company in Europe and has done work with Smart. I had one over the summer and it was overall a great car - I used it for city driving, when you don’t get to drive over 25mph and have to stop constantly this car is perfect. Another great perk is parking, you can fit 2 smart cars in one parking spot. Other features include: great rear visibility, fuel economy, more leg room than you think and a decent sound system. The only problem with the Smart car is that you feel like you could be crushed at any moment and people will scream “nice golfcart ***” at you often.