Smart Fortwo sales plunge in 2009 in U.S.

[Frank Lee]

She'll have to come up with something else I guess.

[Christ]

I can agree with that completely. I'd buy just about any new car if it cost me less than $500... lets see them offer that for 2010.

[shovel]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I'm still having difficulty with the notion that "safety" is the biggest hang-up for people.

After all, these are the same people that go 20 over, blow red lights, cell and text while driving, are seemingly incapable of putting air in a tire, etc., etc.

Oh, they want safety... but they want it delivered to them in a branded and brightly colored package that they don't have to think about or participate in. Taking responsibility for their own safety is not only out of the question, they don't even understand the question.

The reason I say "they" instead of "we" is I ride a bicycle, a motorscooter, and have only ever owned 2 cars with airbags. Not that I have anything against safety equipment, I just don't have magical expectations of equipment. I'd rather be on my well maintained motorscooter with my full attention on the road & traffic than in a 5-star rated car that's been neglected and abused for 5 years and the driver's so inattentive they haven't even noticed single digit psi in their left front tire or have their rear view mirror permanently focused on their own eyebrows so they can pluck them while they drive.

That said, I don't know why anyone would shell out $12k for a fortwo when $10k buys an accent with 2 additional seats, plus cargo, plus more power, plus a better warranty, plus a more well-established brand, plus less dorky looks (personally i don't mind dorky looks... i have a tempo and a 50cc scooter - but let's face it looks DO count for lots of people) ... from my perspective, you can get more car for less money elsewhere and all the fortwo gives you is "quirkyness" ... not many people who earn their own living put any value in "quirky".

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by MadisonMPG

I want a diesel Smart!

I want a smart Diesel!

[Big Dave]

Want a Smart diesel? Don't hold your breath.

The EPA hates diesels.

[Laurentiu]

Me too..that's what I want to buy in the future...
Here in Cyprus there are quite a lot of Smart's, mostly Fortwo and Roadster's. Unfortunately the Roadster was not offered with a Turbo Diesel Engine..That would've been a dreamy car I believe.
For those that want a high-MPG commuter car to do a lot of highway driving, I don't think Smart Fortwo is the solution. This car is in it's element in the typical crowded European city...

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Want a Smart diesel? Don't hold your breath.

The EPA hates diesels.

...notice I wrote smart Diesel...the new 'urea' injection and particulate collection, etc., should help make this possible.

[roflwaffle]

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Want a Smart diesel? Don't hold your breath.

The EPA hates diesels.

Oh jeez. That must be why VW doesn't have 50 state diesels, right? Most automakers can comply w/ the EPA emissions requirements for their diesel models, they just don't think it's a good idea to bring them over. Most people still associate them w/ the stinky, slow, sooty diesels of the 80s and most of those who don't have a VW diesel, so any manufacturer moving into that market has to deal w/ brand loyalty. Most manufacturers don't think they can sell enough cars to make all the costs of bringing them over here worthwhile.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I'm still having difficulty with the notion that "safety" is the biggest hang-up for people.

After all, these are the same people that go 20 over, blow red lights, cell and text while driving, are seemingly incapable of putting air in a tire, etc., etc.

Lets face it, the majority of americans are as dumb as a box of rocks. They actually believe that if it has a good crash test rating they can drive any speed or anywhere they want. I have talked to people who are surprized to learn that most crashes at 80mph are not survivable they apparently think that crash tests occur at 100mph and are surprized that most are conducted under 45mph.

That is the mentality we are dealing with because they see a 5 second blurb about safety and generalize it to mean they are safe driving their Dodge crewcab 85mph on ice through the middle of the forest at midnight while intoxicated and using a cell phone.

If the "safety" BS would be put into proportion you might see some people taking a little more notice after learning a 5 star crash test rating means little at highway speeds.

[TheEnemy]

From what I have seen, the smart is a very safe car. The problem with it on a safety standpoint is that everything on the road outweighs it most often by more than 2X. If its in a wreck it will have to protect its occupants from much greater forces.