Smarts pile ups as order cancellations accelerate
by Sam Abuelsamid on Mar 17th 2009 at 2:09PM 
Last November, when we talked with SmartUSA boss Dave Schembri at the LA Auto Show, he acknowledged that a number of the people who had placed early orders for the tiny fortwo had canceled before taking delivery. At that time, the cancellation rate was about thirty percent, although most of those cars were being taken up by people who wanted immediate delivery. Apparently, that situation has changed as dealers who last year typically had no more than a meager handful of cars in stock now sometimes have dozens.
The general economic and overall sales situation has deteriorated significantly since November, so it should come as no surprise that sales would be off. Many smart fortwo sales were as second or third cars and, with Bernie Maddoff on his way to jail, even people who previously had extra money are now reconsidering their options. We've asked for a comment from SmartUSA about whether they are seeing an increase in order cancellations or simply fewer people stepping up to buy the "orphans," but have yet to get a reply. We'll update you if we hear anything new.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dwarg 2:39PM (3/17/2009)
All the stuff about the economic downturn's effect on Smart sales is probably true. But the reason I've never considered one is because their gas engine just isn't very efficient. There are plenty of full-size cars that offer the same mileage with a lot more features. If they had brought their diesel engine over here more greenies may have been interested in the first place.
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Anthony 3:52PM (3/17/2009)
Agreed. I saw these imported from Europe a couple years ago. My wife loved the look, but mileage was less than our Civic Hybrids. No back seat, no trunk, perceived safety issues, build quality problems, don't make for a very appealing auto.
Throwback 2:47PM (3/17/2009)
I canceled my order due to the terrible transmission. Whiplash does not make for a fun to drive car. I wanted to like the Smart but the driving experience was awful. Gas mileage is not that great either.
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DHLake 10:57PM (3/23/2009)
The transmission has two modes and manual offers the same transition that can be accomplished by a driver with a manual transmission and wihout operating a clutch. As to the mileage, after 9,400 miles of daily commuting my average mileage for a 30 mile each way commute is just over 45 miles/gallon.
ben 2:57PM (3/17/2009)
Probably because Smart's build quality feels really cheap. It's probably the worse I've ever seen.
And millage isn't exactly good either.
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jeffzekas 3:04PM (3/17/2009)
The Smart is cute, but when I received a 10% pay cut, I had to choose between car payments and eating regularly. As far as gas mileage: I had talked to Smart Diesel owners, who get 45 - 55 mpg, and was less-than-impressed with the 30 mpg achieved by the petrol Smart... the MINI (I test drove a Cooper S), which is a four-seater, gets 32 mpg and is MUCH more fun to drive. The only way for Smart (and other small cars) to be saved, is for the Feds to initiate a $2 a gallon gas tax (just on gas, not on diesel). Folks won't conserve unless they are forced to conserve! And Smart? Better transmission, please!
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David 3:17PM (3/17/2009)
I canceled our order for our second Smart (a Brabus) because our original Smart has had two transmission related repairs in less than 9K miles...one requiring flat-bedding the car to the dealer. While they are certainly entertaining as a whole, the tranny is just plain awful in concept and execution.
This car begs for an electric drive train and I will be back on the order book just as soon as the Smart ED is available. I love everything about the car save it's transmission and penchant for high test gas.
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Bryce 3:34PM (3/17/2009)
I have had my Smart for almost a year and have had no complaints. It was not an 'extra' or 'toy' for me. I replaced a 7 yr old Saturn with it and it is "my car". I found the fit and finish to be quite good. There were two minor issues I returned to the dealer to fix. They were done quickly and no hassles.
I am getting an honest 34 mpg driving almost exclusively on stop-and-go city streets. (I felt very "smart" with last summer's gas prices.) Of course I would like to see a 65 mpg diesel, or an electric but this will do until they get here.
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amg 5:12PM (3/17/2009)
I cancelled my reservation, but in part I only reserved one to show that there was an interest. I would love to have one as a second car, but I do get hung up on the mileage. My 1995 Civic is getting 33 to 34 in mixed driving, and I'd really like my next car to improve on that by 10 mpg. Now an electric smart I would go for in a heartbeat. No transmission or emission issues (from tailpipe anyway).
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Stan Wellaway 5:50PM (3/17/2009)
I never quite understand what happens to european cars once they land on US soil. Even allowing for the US gallon being about 15% smaller than the gallons we have here in the UK, you do seem to get lousy mpg figures. Is it because they have to be fitted with some additional gadgets to comply with summat or other?
My elderly mother (86) has owned and driven a petrol-engined Smart for 5 years - and routinely gets around 60mpg. (= about 51mpg US). She doesn't race around at high speed, but she does rev the motor more than I would in lower gears.
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Snowdog 7:20PM (3/17/2009)
Gallons are smaller, EPA testing is tougher, and often, the US version is fitted with a bigger engine.
The USA smarts have 1.0 L engines. Looking back about 5 years, I think the Petrol versions in Europe were 0.7 L.
David Fox 6:04PM (3/17/2009)
I placed an early deposit, but had doubts after a (very short) test drive. It arrived but I couldn't convince my wife to give up her mini and canceled. I think she was right. Looking forward to my Aptera (#35)!
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NeilBlanchard 9:40PM (3/17/2009)
Hi,
The Toyota (and Scion?) iQ will make the Smart's sales even tougher: room for 3 adults, and a child, front wheel drive, only 10" longer, and mileage should be 55mpg or more.
I've done a few aero mods to my Scion xA (1.5L, room for 4 tall adults -- I'm 6'-4") and I'm averaging ~43mpg in year round driving in New England.
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SATO 8:18AM (3/18/2009)
The transmission has been reworked for the 09 model and the 08s can get a software upgrade that improves the feel and smoothness that plagued the 08s. I have an 08 smart and get 48mpg city, 43mpg highway on average. I can often get 50mpg city if I am frugal.
As far as being able to get a larger vehicle from other manufacturers, have you thought that perhaps people getting a two seater ONLY want a two seater? not a 2.5 or 3 or 4 seater.....
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Chris 4:27PM (3/18/2009)
I'm assuming people here haven't driven the diesel Smart car. It cares to a golf cart. It would never survive here in the states due to lack of power. May get 45-50 mpg but good luck trying to get marge onto an on ramp.
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amg 4:11PM (3/19/2009)
i think it's nearly 20 seconds 0-60 mph with the diesel. even if it were compliant with US emission standards, no one would buy it. the problem with an ultra-slow city car, even an EV limited to 50 MPH or so, is that most people who work and live in cities have to get on the highway from time to time, otherwise their commute is even longer. when i lived in miami, it took almost an hour to drive 15 miles, and most of that time was on highways in rush hour. if i'd had to put up with stop lights, it would have easily been at least half an hour longer. so any low MPG or EV car that's going to do well in the US has to be able to merge onto and keep up with traffic on highways.
amg 4:16PM (3/19/2009)
i meant to say "high MPG" not low. we have plenty of those already...
RedRyder 11:05PM (3/21/2009)
I looked at the Smart at the dealers, but the poor gas mileage would stop me from buying. It's either over-powered, geared wrong, or both. I'd consider a diesel if I could get one, but I think it won't pass emissions tests.
I'd take rear-engine over front-wheel drive for better handling any day. I'd also trade 0-60 in 20 seconds for 50+ MPG. My old Hyundai Accent took 14.5 seconds minimum and merging onto the interstates it was the fastest car in the pack. The others cars COULD go faster, but didn't. I've also used a surplus diesel pickup that took 27 seconds empty, and towed a 3-ton trailer with it. I've merged with another truck that probably takes about 50 seconds (though it isn't fun).
Car makers must think North Americans can't drive a stick. My current Honda turns 3500 RPM at 65 mph in 5th. It only gets 19 to 25 MPG even with mild hyper-miling tricks. It would need 7 speeds for efficient freeway use. I guess they feel we will not downshift to go up hills, so they have to keep the engine in the power band all the time.
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BlackbirdHighway 6:37PM (3/22/2009)
They are idiots for not offering a manual transmission.
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freediverdude 6:45PM (3/22/2009)
True, most people in the US don't get the manual transmission.
But these green cars really need to have at least this set of criteria:
-at least 200 miles before refilling or recharging (electrics might get by with 100, but really needs to be about 200)
-needs to go at least 70 mph (nobody is going to purchase a 50 mph vehicle in a metro area)
-needs to be all electric, or if hybrid, needs to get as close to 100mpg as possible, certainly over 50mpg. otherwise why bother when just a generic civic or corolla can get up to 35mpg.
-needs to seat 4 people and have a little bit of trunk space or storage. we're not asking for a huge SUV with hundreds of cubic feet of cargo area, but there just HAS to be a place to put some grocery bags or something.
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