One of the bigger stories of the Detroit International Auto Show is that the Smart ForTwo is expected to arrive in US showrooms during the first quarter of 2008. There will initially be 50-60 dealerships (with priority going to DaimlerChrysler dealers who won’t have to build separate showrooms) carrying the SmartUSA brand that is expected to have a base price of less than $15,000.
If you’ve never seen one of these vehicles on the road, you will be amazed when you finally do. Smart cars are definitely small but offer a spacious interior with plenty of room for even the tallest passengers.
So how small “really” is the ForTwo? For starters, the ForTwo is 8.8 feet long (you can usually fit two ForTwos in a single parking space!), 5.1 feet tall (similar to most luxury sedans), and 5.1 feet wide (comfortably fits two 6 foot 5 inch passengers with room to spare!).
Okay, but will it move? Topping out at 90 miles per hour, the ForTwo has plenty of speed for the highway. And with gas mileage expected to exceed 40 miles per gallon you’ll be able to get where you’re going - no matter how far away.
With more than 750,000 Smart vehicles having already been sold around the world, we are looking forward to its much anticipated US debut.
[tags]smart fortwo, fortwo, smart car, smart vehicle, daimlerchrysler[/tags]
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For now, selling the Smart is only an insignificant component of a very complex undertaking, which may just be a pivotal crossroad for the future and direction of the U.S. automotive industry and the emerging automotive industries of China to India and beyond.
However the truth be told, the entire North American Smart car orchestration and importation process is a multifaceted, convoluted and global business enterprise, reaching far into the future.
With cumulative losses at smart now topping $5 billion, it’s certainly not, generally speaking about selling a handful of $12,000 cars, or introducing a new automotive brand. All this, is of little consequence to the bigger picture.
It is however, an endeavor of significant importance, that may have diverse and long lasting implications for many of us.
Many involved in the Smart venture have offered only flawed details, unreliable data and a very insignificant flow of information. It would be a much smarter progression for all concerned over the Smart cars future, to be able to have interaction or cooperation from the car manufacturer, their authorized distributor and others involved in the Smart cars development and advancement.
Hopefully the dealers will fill in the blanks and take the initiative?