Smart cars selling strong, distributor could do with 15,000 more this year
The smart limited two, unveiled in Geneva.
It's a good time to be selling Smarts in the U.S. The North American distributor, Roger Penske, told Automotive News (subs req'd) that he thinks that, on top of the 25,000 Smarts he's getting from Europe this year, he could "easily" sell 15,000 more. The trouble is that the Smart factory simply can't produce more than they currently are, so those 15,000 extra sales will either be delayed or lost to other brands. Penske said he's waiting to hear from Mercedes about possibly making more Smarts for the U.S.
Since the refundable deposit for ordering a Smart online is/was only $99, Smart USA said that as many as 25 percent of pre-orders are being canceled in some markets. Still, Smart USA's president told AN that the overall number of cancellations is "low," and the cars that were once destined for a particular buyer are not sitting on the lots because of high demand.
In the grand scheme of of the American car market, 25,000 Smarts - or even 40,000 - is not a lot. Still, if anyone was curious whether Americans could embrace a truly small vehicle or not, I think we have the answer.
Gallery: Geneva 2008: smart limited two
[Source: Diana Kurylko and Richard Truett / Automotive News (subs req'd)]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
SMART 1:29PM (3/24/2008)
While this is true that Smart may lose many orders I would say the bigger underlying fact to this lost is upset customers who simply want better communication. Many customers having been on the waiting list for a year now still have little to no news about their order and while this has been communicated loudly to smart USA from groups like http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums smart USA has failed to respond with any action. SCOA Members and more are joining in on whats could quickly become a bad PR blitz on smart USA.
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Dave 1:31PM (3/24/2008)
Are you paying attention R1e and MiEV?
PRODUCE THESE CARS HERE IN THE USA.
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Jerry York 1:55PM (3/24/2008)
smartusa had got to communicate with it's reservation holders.
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SnakeFarm 2:12PM (3/24/2008)
I put in my "Only $99" last September and have not heard a word from them since. I wish they had offered a REAL reservation program. I really like the smart fortwo but if a comparable vehicle gets here first I'll get my "0nly $99" back and put it toward the contender.
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rgseidl 2:44PM (3/24/2008)
I suspect the problem is simply that Daimler seriously underestimated demand. That said, they could at least offer a program in which customers can get in the queue by upping their money down to e.g. $1000 and making that non-refundable if the vehicle is offered exactly as specified prior to an agreed-upon date. In return, they get a sweeter deal.
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SPDYII 3:24PM (3/24/2008)
At the rate that smartUSA is currently going they are creating more unsatisfied customers then satisfied.
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OB 5:48PM (3/24/2008)
It would be helpful to know what model year we are reserving for! Also, some dealerships seem disorganized and add-on options unnecessarily to canceled orders (orphans). We want yellow rear turn signals and cruise control!
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Throwback 6:09PM (3/24/2008)
It will be interesting to see how sales in year 2 hold up. Will people simply buy something else?
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KEVIN 7:33PM (3/24/2008)
I find that to be very true. Produce the frekain car in the us . I also do like the smart . It is cute and smartly designed. Although it could cost less because essentially it is "half of a car" I woudl still purchase it if i had the money .
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mike 9:23PM (3/24/2008)
Sure wish they'd bring one over with a Plug.
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Chris 8:00AM (3/25/2008)
The real reason they can't keep up with production is because in the EU the Smart cars sucked until the very recent generation and as such faced cancellation. If Penske hadn't been so earnest to sell them here I really wonder if the Smart would still be around today.
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wizard of ahs 10:44AM (3/25/2008)
Communications is the key. Without it, all will be lost not only for us, but for smart and PAG as well!
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Janet E. Doe 11:04AM (3/25/2008)
I, like others, absolutely love the smart and am anxious to get mine. However, communication from smartusa has been nearly non-existent. I did call a few weeks ago and got the standard, "canned" responses that everyone gets. Yes, you're "on the radar", etc. I emailed from the website about a glitch I found in the payment estimator and NEVER got a response. This is just not good customer service. I hope the vehicle tracker will be up and running as promised on 3/31/08. Also, I would like to see the ability to track from the moment one places one's reservation until the time the car is delivered. THAT would be good customer service!
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Jerry Goldfarb 3:08PM (3/25/2008)
It's all about "I have to have the latest toy" syndrome. Once delivered and owned reality sets in. The car does not handle well on the highway, there is no spare tire, replacement whells, tires, windshields are not on tap, etc. Currently there are 19 for sale on eBay, and the prices are not highway robbery either. This vehicle was originally named the "City" Car and that is exactly what it is.
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Penske Blew It 11:25AM (3/26/2008)
Reserved 3 weeks after program began last year. Still no word from Smart. When they call it will be 90 days until delivery. Who knows when they will call. What a joke. I'm very seriously considering canceling my order. I'm over the novelty of the car now.
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Sam Gennawey 9:02PM (3/25/2008)
I have to agree with those who suggest that smart may suffer more from poor communications than any delivery issues. There are upsetting a lot of first adopters and are setting somebody up for a homerun.
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Barry 1:45PM (3/29/2008)
Smart Dealer called me today, saying my Smart Car has arrived at the Dealer! Not sure if I will buy it or not... But I'll check it out. I'm anxious to hear from any other owners of the US-built Smart!
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Barry 1:59PM (3/29/2008)
Sorry, meant to say "built-for-US" Smart car. They are made in France. The Daimler financing doesn't beat the local credit union for a new car loan. I'm still not sure if we should buy it or not. I'm not sure how long they will hold my reserved car.
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Richie 10:10AM (3/31/2008)
I was all caught up in the idea of buying a Smart car; made the $99 reservation, waited and eventually drove one at the pre-launch. I proceeded to request the return of my deposit when the reality of owning this car sunk in, although it took time. Cute, different, just not practical NOR very efficient AND over-priced for what you get.
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Ray 9:31PM (4/09/2008)
I saw the smart in Europe in 2006 and 07.When I found out in July 2007 that they were taking $99 so called reservations, I signed on. Now after their delivery tracker is up, my estimated delivery is June 2009. Have seen a handful on the road and weekly I see them on ebay. Is this going to be another over-priced Mini Cooper?Maybe they should have offered it in a kit form. :(
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