More bad news from Daimler-Chrysler: the entire program to bring Smart cars to the U.S. is being scrapped!

It's Official: Smart's a No-Go in the U.S.

Posted 4/5/05 10:30 a.m. CD

DaimlerChrysler's Smart brand is not coming to the United States.

"For the time being, we are not going forward with the Smart project in the U.S.," a Mercedes-Benz USA LLC spokeswoman said.

The decision followed DaimlerChrysler's announcement in Stuttgart that it had killed the Smart ForMore sport utility vehicle.

The ForMore was to have been the first model sold in the United States through the Smart channel.

DaimlerChrysler also said its Smart division would undergo a $1.55 billion restructuring.

The company said in a statement that the plan "calls for the intensified development of the successor to the Smart ForTwo, including fulfilling the requirements for the U.S. market."

But the U.S. spokeswoman says there are no plans to bring the tiny two-seater here.

"At this point we are putting everything on hold," the spokeswoman said. "There has been work done on the Smart project and where it would fit in. We have all that intelligence. We will hold onto it."

The Smart brand was to have been a separate franchise with as many as 80 dealers. The brand was to be launched in the United States with the ForMore in September 2006. Additional products, including the second-generation ForTwo cars, were to have come in 2007 and 2008.

Mercedes-Benz USA's small Smart team in the United States already is being disassembled.

"With the ForMore freeze, they have been working on other assignments, and we will announce where they are officially," the spokeswoman said. "They are mostly M-B USA employees."

David Schrembri, Smart's top U.S. executive, left in March to take over sales and marketing at Mitsubishi Motors North America.

Mercedes-Benz notified dealers about the decision on April 1. Since no Smart dealers had been selected, the announcement was expected to have little impact on the network, the spokeswoman said.

This year, Mercedes-Benz killed plans to import its small B-Class car to the United States because of currency concerns. The B class is based on the A-Class subcompact sold in Europe.

— Reported by Diana T. Kurylko, AutoWeek

http://www.cars.com/go/news/Story.js...er=&aff=boston
copyright 2005 Crain Communications, Inc.; all rights reserved

 

Ok they have the intelligence to know where the Smart project will fit in, but they can't figure out if and when to release it in the US?

What am I missing? Oil prices continue to rise and are actually starting to impact SUV sales. The Smart cars have attracted a crowd just about EVERYPLACE they've shown up in the US. But they can't figure out how to release them?

 

Undoubtedly it would make an impact on their larger, higher-profit models.

 

That's a load of BS! SMART was the exact direction the US needs to head in! BAH!! Now what will we have - more of the same - bloated gass guzzling POS trucks/SUVs, and super expensive hybrids that only get mediocre millage. Great, thanks Daimler.

 

The Smart had a lot against it- it's not great for our freeways, it'd be a nightmare in a crash, and it's too expensive for what it is. Mind you, that's all offset by great styling, but good looks will only get you so far.

If they came to the US they'd cost around 20-23k, and nobody would pay that.

 

It's not Daimler's fault. In fact, it's your fault.

 

I think I know where you're going with that, and you're only partially right. It would be our (or his) fault if the car came out and nobody bought it.

But there's been buzz in the US about the Smart line for years. The popularity of the MINI should be a good sign for them that small cars are gaining traction in the US...

 

It's not MY fault! I bought a MINI partially for the added economy over our other cars, and I really wanted a SMART as a fun and REALLY efficient car when it came over here!

 

I never really liked those cars... oh well.

 

I heard on NPR that a big part of the problem was the currency exchange. They were already overpriced and the currency is making it worse.

 

Bingo! Also, another indication that we're not ready for tiny cars is how motorcycle and scooter riders are treated in the US. Here, you're thought of as an idiot and people get mad when you split lanes or crawl around cars in traffic. The scooter market in the US is tiny and exists mostly in large cities and yet they are AWESOME in town - nothing better when it's dry out.

I really like little cars but the market here is just not ready for them and we certainly won't pay the entry fee with the exchange rate. There are diminishing returns... Lastly, there will have to be tax incentives for people to move to small cars. Gas taxes in particular. And we hate taxes! LOL. So good luck!

 

This is disappointing news to read! I had hoped that with the popularity of our beloved MINIs that more small models from a variety of marques would begin to enter the market, ESPECIALLY as gas prices seem to be set at high prices permanently. What a shame....

Clover

 

I have no doubt that Smart cars would be a big hit here. They sell like hot cakes in Europe, especially in big metro areas.

Something smells fishy about the factory's statements about coming to the U.S. I suspect they may not be able to comply with U.S. crash standards without major mods.

At any rate, I'd bet serious cash that they'd be a huge sales winner here.

It's just a matter of time until someone sells a similar car here.

 

I don't agree, one has nothing to do with the other.

Splitting lanes is incredibly dangerous and in many states illegal, and isn't something you could or would do with a Smart car.

 

There are already 'similar' cars here, at least in size - Geos, Scions, Suzukis, Kia - they all have tiny cars. They just all happen to be 100% crap.

 

Are the Scions bad? I figured that they'd be okay because Toyota builds them.


Clover

 

I looked at a Tc when I was shopping around - it looked REALLY good on paper, but I was less than impressed in person. It had decent materials quality, but everything felt very unsubstantial. The interior felt very flimsy, compared to the MINI for example. Very light duty. The deal killer for me was the total lack of headroom. It's designed for short Japanese women I guess, cause I couldn't drive it!

I looked at the xA while I was there. Fairly similar to the SMART at first glance, which is why it cought my eye. Inside it reminded me of Saturn when they first rolled out. Everything is extra, everything looks like it was peiced together, little buttons that didn't flow with the rest of the interior, plastic colors and textures that didn't match, very 'thin' feel to the whole car. More headroom than the Tc though! Overall I was not impressed by either, especially after pricing them out with equipment - more than a MINI!! $27.700 for a loaded xA!!!

 

depends on what you call lane splitting... I don't see how going between cars while they are in stand still traffic is a danger... other than the fact that everyone is mad at you for being able to do it.

Smart cars would be cool for huge metros but I live in michigan and no where near detroit, those cars would be of no use to me here, and I bet there are alot of places are like that... maybe that could be part of it too if the manufacturer saw profit you'd think they would bring it over... but again speculation. personally I hate them, but again I don't live in a city and I have my motorcycle

 

If you are operating any vehicle with a motor on a roadway than you MUST abide by the law. And that law states that you must use the travel lanes. Driving down the middle between stopped cars is highly illegal and highly dangerous. Traffic could start to move unexpectedly, pedestrians could be crossing between the stopped traffic etc.

Are you the same guy who passes people on the shoulder of the interstate when traffic is stopped due to an accident?

 

Actually, splitting lanes is not dangerous. I ride and I know. I was also not implying that one would split lanes in a smart car. You're funny.

But, what I was referring to was driver attitude towards those in small cars. Many big car and SUV drivers bully small car drivers on the road. I've seen it myself and I've also been the recipient of the attitude. I almost swore off driving the Mini in town because there are some real *******s who will cut you off just because they can. Is that more clear?

But the *real* reason why Smart cars aren't coming here is because Daimler has no idea how to build cars and make money. Just look at their P&L statement. They blew a huge percentage of their 2004 profits on recalls and other product problems. The smart car is not so smart now, is it?

 

I didn't think you meant a Smart car driving down the middle of two lanes. But you are quite naive to think its not dangerous to do that with ANY vehicle or even a regular bike. I work for the highway department and I know traffic. D-a-n-g-e-r-o-u-s.

 

lol again not the same thing as lane splitting, and lane splitting is legal in some states... maybe where you live it isn't, and probably because people are pissed us small guys can move though stand still traffic

 

- Exactly! Some people actually try to close up space in a lane to stop a rider from passing. Now, who's being dangerous? It's the damn cage driver, that's who.

Actually, lane splitting is legal here in California, which is odd to me because this has become a such a whinny nanny state.

I will lane split depending on the conditions. If the lanes are too tight, I probably won't do it. If traffic speed exceeds 35mph I don't. It may look dangerous but it's not if you understand the situation. It is safer to lane split on a freeway on a motorcycle than it is to ride on surface streets.

Regarding passing on the shoulder? That is illegal here in California, so I don't do that. I never break the law.



By the way, the guy said you "MUST obey" the law. That is not true. You don't have to obey anything. But there are consequences to ignoring the law - but only if you get caught. :smile:

 

I don't understand MB's thinking. ZAP! has already established a dealer network and gotten the smart fortwo legalized for the US. They already have $431 million worth of orders for the smart fortwo:


Filing Includes Company's Latest Tally of Purchase Orders for American Version of Smart Car at New High of $431 Million

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--April 5, 2005--ZAP (OTCBB:ZAPZ - News), pioneering the next generation of advanced transportation and energy technologies, announced today that purchase orders from U.S. auto dealers for its SMARTCAR micro-coupe has reached $431 million, reflecting a broad base of consumer demand for a vehicle that fulfills modern transportation needs while providing high levels of fuel efficiency.


http://www.zapworld.com/about/news/news_10k2004.asp


Information on their smart car: http://www.zapworld.com/cars/smartCar.asp


James

 

I love the Smart car. Friends have one and I found it delightful if disconcerting (the pavement is right there!). The article on ZAP is encouraging though characterized by hyperbole. ZAP's promo states that the Smart is one of the most economical gas powered vehicles, but fails to provide figures. While I hope to see Smarts everywhere I wonder if that is for its consciousness-raising potential instead of its genuine environmental cred. Is its fuel economy comparable to the Scion Xa/b or Cooper? Or does it approach the Prius league? I know several people who refuse to buy a new car unless it is a hybrid and one insists on a MINI hybrid.