Is America Ready for the Mercedes Smart Car?
DaimlerChrysler’s Mercedes Car Group hopes to revolutionize compact cars in the US with its smart fortwo. The smart car, which looks more like a decked out golf cart than a passenger vehicle, goes on sale here in the states in early 2008. These cars can sell overseas, but it’s unclear whether Americans are ready for some major downsizing.
Picture a Mini Cooper; OK, now can you picture a car nearly four feet shorter? At about 8 feet 6 inches long, the smart will appeal to drivers looking for a nimble ride to zip around in. Being so small though, the obvious safety concerns are huge. The official site at smartusa.com claims that the car is designed to achieve four star crash ratings, and a steel composed tridion safety cell will keep occupants protected.
No matter how revolutionary and advanced the safety features are, I would not feel safe driving down the highway in such a car. Considering how suburbanized and spread out our lives are in the US, it’s hard to perceive the average American commuter choosing the fortwo. Other than those who somehow feel comfortable with their slim chances of walking away from a highway crash in a pint-sized car, smart car buyers will mostly be urban dwellers or those who plan to use it solely to putt around town.
The smart is expected to achieve about 33city/41highway mileage with the new EPA estimates. For a car so small, these numbers don’t seem very impressive. The current subcompacts sold here get about the same, even with the size difference. The price is relative to the current offerings as well, with the smart ranging from $11,590 to $16,590.
The smart car will be unlike anything we have ever seen here, but it’s not really breaking much ground. I myself would be a much bigger fan if it were electric or if it got something like 100 mpg. That said, I wouldn’t put myself in a highway deathtrap no matter how efficient it was. Most Americans will be in the same boat; it just won’t fit their lifestyle. The smart will have its cult-like following for sure, and will suit some buyers, but will struggle to survive in this type of market.
January 7th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Here in The Netherlands I see more Smarts with company logo’s then without. I think most of the time they are driven by fairly young employees. People who basically drive themselves around doing business and don’t need a car for big shopping and family. Especially for young and hip companies, but f.e. I see some of the largest temping agencies using them too, they are an economic alternative for the fat lease car and by now we’re so used to them, it’s no shame for any sales rep to arrive in a Smart at a possible client. I don’t see why that couldn’t work in the US.
Unfortunately as a countereffect (of this and other small cars), those who can afford it buy more and more suv’s for private use…
February 27th, 2008 at 1:54 am
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