DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
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DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
The 'on-again off-again' decision on DCX Smart cars coming to the US is worse then a LT1 with a bad opti.
Report: Smart cars coming to U.S.
DaimlerChrysler expected to announce plans Tuesday to bring fuel-efficient sub-compact to U.S. market.
June 26 2006: 8:16 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- DaimlerChrysler is set to bring the fuel-efficient subcompact Smart car brand to the United States in 2007, according to a published report.
The Detroit News, citing a source familiar with company plans, reported the decision will be announced Tuesday. But a spokeswoman for the Smart brand declined to comment on the report.
"We have not made any decision on a U.S. launch," said Bettina Singhartinger. "You can expect something this week. Until then we do not comment on speculation."
DaimlerChrysler has never made money on the Smart brand, which has been sold in Europe since 1998. The brand is part of DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz unit.
The two-seater egg-shaped cars get 46.3 miles per gallon in the city to 70.6 mpg on the highway, according to some estimates, although Singhartinger points out that if the brand is brought to the United States, it will be the next generation of the vehicle which is due to be rolled out in Europe in early 2007.
With U.S. gasoline prices near $3 a gallon, and lagging sales of the large SUV's and pickups that DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler unit depends upon, it would appear to be the right time to bring Smart cars to the U.S. market.
But the U.S. market is also becoming flooded with fuel-efficient sub-compact cars right now, with the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa all debuting in U.S. showrooms this year. Those models also have the advantage of having their U.S. dealer network in place. It's not clear if the Smart car would be sold in U.S. Mercedes dealerships, in Chryler and Dodge dealers or a new dealer network.
One reason for the profit problems for the Smart brand is a low selling price at that part of the market. The three Japanese sub-compacts coming to the market sell for between $11,850 and $14,000.
DaimlerChrysler expected to announce plans Tuesday to bring fuel-efficient sub-compact to U.S. market.
June 26 2006: 8:16 AM EDT
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- DaimlerChrysler is set to bring the fuel-efficient subcompact Smart car brand to the United States in 2007, according to a published report.
The Detroit News, citing a source familiar with company plans, reported the decision will be announced Tuesday. But a spokeswoman for the Smart brand declined to comment on the report.
"We have not made any decision on a U.S. launch," said Bettina Singhartinger. "You can expect something this week. Until then we do not comment on speculation."
DaimlerChrysler has never made money on the Smart brand, which has been sold in Europe since 1998. The brand is part of DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz unit.
The two-seater egg-shaped cars get 46.3 miles per gallon in the city to 70.6 mpg on the highway, according to some estimates, although Singhartinger points out that if the brand is brought to the United States, it will be the next generation of the vehicle which is due to be rolled out in Europe in early 2007.
With U.S. gasoline prices near $3 a gallon, and lagging sales of the large SUV's and pickups that DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler unit depends upon, it would appear to be the right time to bring Smart cars to the U.S. market.
But the U.S. market is also becoming flooded with fuel-efficient sub-compact cars right now, with the Toyota Yaris, the Honda Fit and the Nissan Versa all debuting in U.S. showrooms this year. Those models also have the advantage of having their U.S. dealer network in place. It's not clear if the Smart car would be sold in U.S. Mercedes dealerships, in Chryler and Dodge dealers or a new dealer network.
One reason for the profit problems for the Smart brand is a low selling price at that part of the market. The three Japanese sub-compacts coming to the market sell for between $11,850 and $14,000.
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Re: DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
As long as they can keep them priced under their european counter parts.
They have a neat looking Roadster. It would be like a Solstice that the college kids can afford!
edit:
They have a neat looking Roadster. It would be like a Solstice that the college kids can afford!
edit:
Last edited by number77; Jun 26, 2006 at 04:04 PM.
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From: The Golden State
Re: DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
They are more expensive than you'd expect, so I think that's the reason why DCX has been pretty erratic in their decision on bringing the cars over here.
I hope the volume that they would sell here will help them to bring the prices down.
I hope the volume that they would sell here will help them to bring the prices down.
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Re: DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
Originally Posted by number77
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Re: DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
Originally Posted by 97z28/m6
you won't see the roadster as they discontinued them.
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Re: DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
Bah, it will be a FLOP here; plain and simple.
1) Low-Middle Income.
This US is NOT Europe. We have a driving culture and does anybody honestly think that a family that can only afford one car is going to spend it on something they can't haul around the family in?
Also, the single low-middle income person could probably justify it; but typically "single" and econobox don't go together.
2) Middle-High Income Group.
These are the people that could afford a vehicle for just "Work" only. But I can only guess that these people wouldn't want to be seen driving around (I wouldn't) in a Cheapass little car. They will go for the SUV Hybrids or more upscale "Import" Hybrids.
3) Job Closeness.
People that live close to their job don't really care about fuel mileage. Hell I work out of home (Sales) with a company vehicle so I couldn't care two poops about it. My monthly budget for Gasoline is $100.00. Why would I want a Cheap ugly 2-seater. I'd get a Solstice if I wanted a 2-seater.
The people that live far away from work are a possible market - but then you have to apply the 1st two points.
This is a car designed for the European Culture - NOT the American Culture. These things will sit on the lots. Surely DCX isn't stupid.
1) Low-Middle Income.
This US is NOT Europe. We have a driving culture and does anybody honestly think that a family that can only afford one car is going to spend it on something they can't haul around the family in?
Also, the single low-middle income person could probably justify it; but typically "single" and econobox don't go together.
2) Middle-High Income Group.
These are the people that could afford a vehicle for just "Work" only. But I can only guess that these people wouldn't want to be seen driving around (I wouldn't) in a Cheapass little car. They will go for the SUV Hybrids or more upscale "Import" Hybrids.
3) Job Closeness.
People that live close to their job don't really care about fuel mileage. Hell I work out of home (Sales) with a company vehicle so I couldn't care two poops about it. My monthly budget for Gasoline is $100.00. Why would I want a Cheap ugly 2-seater. I'd get a Solstice if I wanted a 2-seater.
The people that live far away from work are a possible market - but then you have to apply the 1st two points.
This is a car designed for the European Culture - NOT the American Culture. These things will sit on the lots. Surely DCX isn't stupid.
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Re: DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
I remember gettin a laugh about Smart thinking of making an SUV for the US market...right on! Just what an econobox division needs, right???
Anyway, $14 Gr's for something smaller than a Metro that will be made in Euro and carry that cost....no thanks.
Freaking eggs on wheels....
Anyway, $14 Gr's for something smaller than a Metro that will be made in Euro and carry that cost....no thanks.
Freaking eggs on wheels....
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Re: DCX's 'Smart' cars are coming to the US in 2007
Now it's finally "OFFICIAL"!!!!
It's (finally) Official
DCX to launch Smart minicar in the U.S. in 2008
Automotive News | 8:48 am, June 28, 2006
After years of flip-flopping more than a politican chasing votes, DaimlerChrysler has finally made it official: it will launch the successor to its two-seat Smart minicar in the U.S. in 2008, the company said on Wednesday.
The company announced the successor to the Fortwo will be available in U.S. markets in three model configurations. In addition, the vehicles will be distributed in the U.S. and Puerto Rico through a dealer network assembled by UnitedAuto Group, Inc., a company chaired by Roger Penske.
According to DCX, the initial rollout of retail outlets is expected to start in mid-2007, with the official launch of the brand planned for later that year. The vehicle is expected to be sold beginning in early 2008.
“Following the success of the smart fortwo in our first North American market, Canada, and the increasing demand for affordable and fuel efficient small cars in the U.S.A., we are now bringing this new kind of mobility to U.S. cities," DCX CEO Dieter Zetsche said in the company's official announcement.
"The time has never been better for this – and I am convinced that the Smart Fortwo as an innovative, ecological and agile city car will soon become just as familiar a sight on the streets of New York, Miami or Seattle, as it is today in Rome, Berlin or Paris."
DCX is hoping to sell an estimated 20,000 Smarts a year in the U.S. and expects most of its sales to come from urban centers along the east and west coasts. Bringing the subcompact to market is seen as an effort to capitalize on higher U.S. gas prices as well as providing an alternative to BMW's Mini venture.
DCX originally planned to launch Smart in the U.S. market with a four-door model known as the ForFour, but the plan was scrapped after heavy losses led to a reorginzation of the unit. Since then, the every model has been dropped from the lineup save the ForTwo.
Smart is sold in 36 countries, including Canada. The brand's biggest market at present is Italy, with annual sales around 40,000.
Smart has lost money since the brand was launched in the fall of 1998, but Zetsche has said he expects the unit to become profitable in 2007. Smart sales fell 21.5 percent to 49,400 units in the first five months of this year. -REUTERS CONTRIBUTED
DCX to launch Smart minicar in the U.S. in 2008
Automotive News | 8:48 am, June 28, 2006
After years of flip-flopping more than a politican chasing votes, DaimlerChrysler has finally made it official: it will launch the successor to its two-seat Smart minicar in the U.S. in 2008, the company said on Wednesday.
The company announced the successor to the Fortwo will be available in U.S. markets in three model configurations. In addition, the vehicles will be distributed in the U.S. and Puerto Rico through a dealer network assembled by UnitedAuto Group, Inc., a company chaired by Roger Penske.
According to DCX, the initial rollout of retail outlets is expected to start in mid-2007, with the official launch of the brand planned for later that year. The vehicle is expected to be sold beginning in early 2008.
“Following the success of the smart fortwo in our first North American market, Canada, and the increasing demand for affordable and fuel efficient small cars in the U.S.A., we are now bringing this new kind of mobility to U.S. cities," DCX CEO Dieter Zetsche said in the company's official announcement.
"The time has never been better for this – and I am convinced that the Smart Fortwo as an innovative, ecological and agile city car will soon become just as familiar a sight on the streets of New York, Miami or Seattle, as it is today in Rome, Berlin or Paris."
DCX is hoping to sell an estimated 20,000 Smarts a year in the U.S. and expects most of its sales to come from urban centers along the east and west coasts. Bringing the subcompact to market is seen as an effort to capitalize on higher U.S. gas prices as well as providing an alternative to BMW's Mini venture.
DCX originally planned to launch Smart in the U.S. market with a four-door model known as the ForFour, but the plan was scrapped after heavy losses led to a reorginzation of the unit. Since then, the every model has been dropped from the lineup save the ForTwo.
Smart is sold in 36 countries, including Canada. The brand's biggest market at present is Italy, with annual sales around 40,000.
Smart has lost money since the brand was launched in the fall of 1998, but Zetsche has said he expects the unit to become profitable in 2007. Smart sales fell 21.5 percent to 49,400 units in the first five months of this year. -REUTERS CONTRIBUTED
