Smart Fortwo sales plunge in 2009 in U.S.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

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.

It's all part of the agenda... conspiracy breeds itself in this country.

[luvit]

the video in this thread says "you don't put a feather weight boxer with a heavy weight."
"the smart car bounces around violently after impact"
"the dummy's head hit the steering wheel very hard through the airbag"

although, i would buy one. i would drive one. i would like it.

[KITT222]

luvit, I'm going to be straight up honest: I have no credible claims. But when you put a car the size of a table, and with a high center of gravity on the highway at 55MPH and up, surrounded by cars that are at least twice as big (especially on Minnesotan roads in winter). Doesnt make for the best cleanup. No doubt its a safe car. I actually convinced my dad to reserve one two years ago. A big factor was how safe it was (later was struck with common sense. $16K for a tiny car... Not so much). I think its a good car with potential, but marketing and media-coverage on them is horrible. Like I said, potential for a GREAT city car, but not everybody will buy it when like he said in the video other bigger cars get much better mileage. Plus the Jetta TDI gets the same mileage in a bigger package, and the Cobalt XFE costs the same and gets 4 less MPGs.

[luvit]

Originally Posted by KITT222

luvit, I'm honest: no credible claims. a car the size of a table,high center of gravity 55MPH surrounded by cars twice as big ( Minnesotan ). Doesnt cleanup. No doubt safe car. (later common sense. $11.5K (or $16k) for a tiny car... Not). good car with potential, marketing and media-coverage is horrible. GREAT city car, but not everybody will buy it bigger cars better mileage. Jetta TDI same mileage bigger package, Cobalt gets 4 less MPGs.

we're in agreement. i wish it cost'd 2k.. ok, maybe 4k.
that's why i don't have one.

[Frank Lee]

I was going to resist commenting on yet another inane "safety" thread... but I can't help it. When pussies go out on the road, is it in order to go somewhere, or is it to crash into something? Seriously, think of the odds.

[luvit]

that about sums it up. -thanks for your insight.

[KITT222]

Originally Posted by luvit

we're in agreement. i wish it cost'd 2k.. ok, maybe 4k.
that's why i don't have one.

When you really think about it it has to be profitable for Mercedes to want to continue to sell it. It probably costs around $5-9K to make. Big markup for profitability.

And I said $16K because thats the price of the one we had reserved. Sickening, aint it.

[tjts1]

I think the export version of the Tata Nano is going to succeed where the smart car failed.

[Frank Lee]

Tata is so much closer to the bull's eye than M-B it isn't even funny. Vaunted German engineering my eye...

P.S. I like that ^ image!

Wider track, four lugnuts/wheel, why I bet the hatch even opens now!

[cfg83]

KITT222 -

Originally Posted by KITT222

When you really think about it it has to be profitable for Mercedes to want to continue to sell it. It probably costs around $5-9K to make. Big markup for profitability.

And I said $16K because thats the price of the one we had reserved. Sickening, aint it.

I don't know. It seems like it has had a rather bleak financial history :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smart_(automobile)

In 2006, after dwindling sales, Smart GmbH was liquidated and its operations were absorbed within the Mercedes-Benz automobile group. Smart GmbH lost nearly 4 billion euros from 2003 to 2006.[4]

CarloSW2