Smart Car walkaround tour

Video apparently shot in the UK despite the American woman's accent. The vid gives a good idea of what's in store, but I think that MB has upgraded the interior for the American market.

B-Class for America - AutoWeek

Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. portfolio is about to grow—by adding a small car. According to Bloomberg, the next version of the B-Class compact crossover is being designed for sale in the U.S.

Available in Europe since 2005, the B-Class is due for a makeover in 2011 or 2012. Previous attempts to alter the current car for U.S. sale were nixed for cost reasons, but the new car is being designed for global sale from day one. This process lowers cost, allowing the B-Class to build a better business case.
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B-Class for America - AutoWeek

Tiny car hopes to catch on big

In Europe where parking is very scarce, one tiny car has been the answer for many of those parking nightmares: It's called the smart. It looks almost like half a car and it is now going to be sold in America.

We took the smart fortwo, as in made "for two" people for a Test Drive.

It may look like someone bit off the back end of a regular car, but what a bonus that is for parking.

"It's very east to park. Over in Europe they actually park perpendicular to the curb, so they just pull nose in."

Product specialist, Lisa Ray, is on a tour of the U.S. in the smart fortwo and as she drives it around Cleveland, she gets plenty of stares and questions.

Many assume the smart is a hybrid. It isn't. It runs on gasoline.
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Tiny car hopes to catch on big

ABG First drive impression: 2008 Smart ForTwo - AutoblogGreen

By now we all know that SmartUSA is touring the country to introduce Americans to the new second-generation Smart ForTwo. The 2008 model will be the first one officially imported to the US market although small numbers of the first model were imported by individuals after being purchased in Canada or Europe including at least one here in the Ann Arbor. There were also abortive attempts by companies like Zap to import them as well. But now it's officially official. Smart dealerships will begin opening up in the first quarter of 2008 but potential customers have the chance to drive the cars during the summer roadshow. Smart had five drivable cars setup during the Ann Arbor Art Fair along with a static display consisting of one complete car and a cutaway chassis. more...

Source: ABG First drive impression: 2008 Smart ForTwo

Smarter Smarts: 2008 and Beyond (TreeHugger)

For years, American tourists in Germany have gawked and photographed Smart Cars, which are as novel a sight for most as the castles, cathedrals and cobblestones. The question now is: can the two-seater become an everyday sight in American cities or on the American highways?

The first reviews of the 2008 Smart Car on American Roads are hitting the presses. Safety next to the monster trucks on American streets is being raised as a serious concern, and all Smart drivers will benefit from the consideration of American safety standards in addition to the already high standards of the Daimler group. One point which Americans deliberating a Smart fortwo should consider: the Smart cars hold their own on the German autobahns. The little car is a common sight, zipping around the "elephants on parade" (freight trucks) and ducking the giant Mercedes and Audis plowing down the left lane without an upper speed limit.
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Smarter Smarts: 2008 and Beyond (TreeHugger)

Smart Tour Hits San Antonio

The authorized U.S. distributor, Smart USA ( www.smartusa.com), has begun a series of tours with the Smart ForTwo across the country to give would-be buyers a chance to see the cars and get behind the wheel, if only for a few minutes.

The tour was in San Antonio for three days last weekend, and hundreds of people — including many from Fort Worth, Dallas, Austin and Houston — showed up. The cars are on display in Houston this weekend but won't reach Dallas until Oct. 26-31.

What was clear from the visitors to the Smart tour in downtown San Antonio is that many of these potential buyers are people who love odd new vehicles ,particularly ones that make a statement.

The statement they believe the Smart is making, they said, is that it's time to think more about the environment and to stop driving around in behemoth vehicles that pollute the air and compound our dependence on foreign oil.
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Source:
MySA.com: Business

Strategies for Smart Car Buyers - Plug-in Hybrids Get "Stamp of Approval"

Critics of plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs) have long said that it would merely move the pollution from the tailpipe to the power plants. But a new study by two nonprofit groups said the use of plug-in hybrids could cut tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year.

A report released Thursday by Electric Power Research Institute and the Natural Resources Defense Council said that if emissions from power plants were reduced, as expected, and 20 percent of U.S. drivers were in plug-ins by 2050, 163 million tons of greenhouse gasses would be eliminated every year. This contradicts the often cited criticism that using power plants to generate electricity for cars wasn't really solving the emissions problem but merely moving out of sight.
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Strategies for Smart Car Buyers - Plug-in Hybrids Get "Stamp of Approval

Smart ForTwo : First Drives

What's the smartest way to travel? Well, when it comes to buyers' pockets and the environment, there's no doubt about it - the Smart ForTwo makes a lot of sense - especially as it is about to get even greener.

Three super-efficient models, which promise to save pennies as well as the planet, have just been unveiled...and we've driven them all. more...

Source: Smart ForTwo | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

Couple gets smart car early

When Howard Filburn, 53, of Bruce Township filled the gas tank in his pickup truck at a cost of $95 two years ago, he decided to do something about it. It took a while, but now he is the owner of a 2006 Smart model Fortwo coupe and is enjoying getting 50 miles per gallon.

"I love it," said Howard's wife, Pat. "We can't stop at a gas station or stop for ice cream without spending up to an hour talking with people about the car."
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The Romeo Observer

Smart sales could skyrocket, then fade quickly

When the Smart fortwo arrives early next year, there's little doubt that its small footprint, quirky styling and enviable fuel economy will make it one of the hottest automotive products of 2008 – but will it be sustainable? An article in AdAge discusses some of the finer points about the arrival of the fortwo, but recognize that it isn't for everyone and once the early adopters get behind the wheel, the possibility of a substantial decline in volume is a possibility.

Knowing that sales will be somewhere in the ballpark of 20,000 units annually, Smart has decided that its marketing expenditure in the States will be limited, instead relying on online spots and word-of-mouth rather than TV and print advertising. They've even decided not to hire a U.S.-based agency to handle promotion.

Expect the fortwo to reach dealers in January of '08, with the 20,000 consumers who've already put $99 down to get first dibs. We'll see where sales go from there this time next year.

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Smart sales could skyrocket, then fade quickly - Autoblog

smart Shows Fuel Efficient Hybrid and Electric Models

The second generation smart fortwo is just about ready to go on sale as a2008 model year product for the first time in the United States. After attempting to expand the brand with the whimsical Roadster and the subcompact-sized forfour, smart cleared its product portfolio and has returned to being a single-vehicle brand. To show how serious smart is about making its mark with the second generation car, the brand's engineers have already put together three energy efficient models that show the potential of the fortwo of the future.
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smart Shows Fuel Efficient Hybrid and Electric Models - Automobile.com smart Auto News

SMART to get Smarter - AutoIndia.com

From mid October, Smart will start producing a Hybrid version of its tiny Smart ForTwo city car - the Smart For Two Micro-Hybrid. The Hybrid gets approximately 13 percent better fuel economy than the already frugal Smart ForTwo. The Micro-hybrid incorporates a Start-Stop system that shuts off the engine when stopped in traffic, thereby saving fuel in heavy traffic. Where the standard Smart gets about 50mpg, the Micro-Hybrid version gets an estimated 54mpg. Along with the fuel savings, the Micro-Hybrid gets a similar reduction in emissions.
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AutoIndia.com - SMART to get Smarter

Smart's Micro Car Gets an Early Start

DETROIT -- The president of Smart USA, which will distribute a two-passenger micro car in the U.S., said that it's received more than 20,000 reservations and will have 45 to 60 dealerships ready to sell the vehicles by January.

The number of advance reservations for the Smart "fortwo" have exceeded Smart's most optimistic expectations, said , president of Smart USA. The reservation fee on the vehicles is $99. Once available in the U.S., the base model will sell for under $12,000.
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Smart's Micro Car Gets an Early Start: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Smart USA considering alternative fuels

Smart has no plans to revive the Smart ForFour, its four-seat version, or the Smart Roadster sports car as it launches the vehicle in the United States, said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA.

Smart could add a diesel version, already sold in Europe and Canada. A micro-hybrid and electric version also are possible. Smart plans to start making the micro-hybrid in Europe late this year.

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Smart USA considering alternative fuels

Live Earth Global Concerts Reach More Than 10 Million Online at MSN and Inspire Change in Viewers Worldwide at Virtual Generations

East Rutherford, NEW JERSEY — July 7, 2007
A landmark audience of viewers from around the world has united at http://www.LiveEarth.MSN.com to experience the excitement of today’s Live Earth concerts and to confront the threat of global warming. As of 3 p.m. EDT, MSN had received a total of more than 10 million video streams and has the most simultaneous viewers of any online concert ever.
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Live Earth Global Concerts Reach More Than 10 Million Online at MSN and Inspire Change in Viewers Worldwide at Virtual Generations

The smart fortwo Hybrid Drive Has Twelve Percent Lower Consumption and Emissions

The combination of an electric motor and a combustion engine makes the smart fortwo even more economical and environmentally friendly than ever. The hybrid concept reduces consumption and emissions for both the diesel and the petrol version by around 12 percent. For example, the standard consumption (NEDC) of the smart fortwo hybrid drive (hd) diesel is reduced from 3.3 litres to 2.9 litres per 100 kilometres. Carbon dioxide emissions fall from 88 to 77 grams per kilometre
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Hybrid Car & Vehicle News - The smart fortwo Hybrid Drive Has Twelve Percent Lower Consumption and Emissions

Romance takes the wheel on Smart car tour

By Abby Wihl
Friday, July 6, 2007

Ellie Edelstein fell in love in Italy. Diana Siebenthal caught the bug in France.

Kenneth Hart was on vacation in Germany when the cute little European caught his eye. It was years ago, and he's been thinking about it ever since.

On July 5, these three and hundreds of other enthusiasts finally got a chance to revive their vacation romances with . . . a car.
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Romance takes the wheel on Smart car tour : Albuquerque Tribune

New smart fortwo on sale date confirmed

The new smart fortwo, priced from £6,900 on the road, goes on sale in Britain on 15 September. The new car is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more ecological than its predecessor.

It retains its unmistakably iconic looks: the striking tridion safety cell that is also one of the main safety features and the innovative but practical plastic bodypanels, are still an essential part of the car that has become a familiar sight on British roads.
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Source:
UK Car News - news, car reviews, features and video - News

Smart Steers Into Trouble

Parent company DaimlerChrysler has found that a locking ring within the steering system has not been attached properly, which could result in it failing. Only 1,650 of the 12,000 cars sold since May have been affected – and while the ForTwo isn’t in UK dealers until September, some left-hand-drive models have already found their way into Britain.

However, Smart claims it has contacted all the owners of affected vehicles, and is also keen to stress that no injuries or accidents have occurred as a result of the safety issue.

Source:
Smart steers into trouble | Auto Express News

New Smart to Start at Under £7000

The new Smart ForTwo will have a price tag almost as small as it is when it goes on sale on 15 September.

The entry level 61bhp Pure coupe will cost £6900 on the road, or you can have 71bhp for an extra £390.

The 71bhp Pulse model is a grand more, at £8290, and the top-spec Passion £8540. If you want even more power, the 84bhp Passion is £9020.

The cabrio versions start at £10,240 for the 71bhp Pulse.

Other than different the power outputs, Smart hasn’t detailed what you actually get in any of the three trim levels, but expect the Pure to come with steel wheels and few frills, the Pulse to add alloys, a glass roof and a few niceties and the Passion to get jazzy interior trim and air-con.

Source:
Autocar - New Smart to start at under £7000

Britain Awaits the New smart Fortwo

The new smart fortwo will go on sale in Britain on September 15th and it promises to be more comfortable, more agile and more environmentally-friendly than its predecessor.

Priced from £6,900, the smart fortwo will be as striking as ever, but it will also boast a number of innovative developments in a range of key areas.

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Source:
Mercedes-Benz News » Blog Archive » Britain awaits the new smart fortwo

Mercedes Car Group sales down 1.3 percent in June, down 1.5 percent in Jan.-June

The Associated Press

FRANKFURT, Germany: A drop in sales of the Smart fortwo offset a slight gain in sales of Mercedes-Benz branded-cars, automaker DaimlerChrysler AG said Wednesday, as sales last month fell 1.3 percent from a year ago.

The German-American automaker, which is in the process of selling its Chrysler unit to private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, said that overall sales by its Mercedes Car Group, which includes the famous Mercedes-Benz brand and the smaller Smart GmbH unit, fell to 117,200 vehicles last month, down 1.3 percent from June 2006

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Mercedes Car Group sales down 1.3 percent in June, down 1.5 percent in Jan.-June - International Herald Tribune

Fill ‘er Up with smart USA and Kettle brand Potato Chips

~this is from the Smart USA Insider's Newsletter

Since its inception, smart has always been recognized as an environmentally friendly brand. Now, smart USA is taking being “green” one step further. This summer, smart USA will team up with Kettle™ brand Potato Chips and their all natural, bold, and flavorful chips. The fact that great things come in small packages only begins to describe the perfect “partnerchip.” Kettle™ brand Potato Chips is helping to heat things up during the “street smart” 2007 smart USA Road Show, as well as through an exciting new contest that could entitle you to a very tasty reward all year long!

This summer, Kettle™ brand Potato Chips will be giving away bags of their delicious, all natural, organic chips to many of the smart fortwo enthusiasts who visit our Road Show events. Why? Like smart, Kettle™ brand Potato Chips also wants to make a statement about the environment. They provide an incredibly unique, high quality snack, made in ecologically friendly facilities with organic ingredients.

But smart and Kettle™ brand Potato Chips are not only teaming up for the “street smart” Road Show. Forget those candy jar guessing contests – Kettle(tm) brand Potato Chips is launching “Fill ‘er Up!”, an online contest that will give one lucky winner free chips for a year! With smart USA’s help, Kettle(tm) brand Potato Chips filled up a smart fortwo with bags of their chips. Enthusiasts who play “Fill ‘er Up!” will have a chance to guess how many bags fit into the spacious interior of the smart fortwo. Visit www.kettleneighborhood.com for more information and to submit your guess.

Hint: In addition to the spacious occupant compartment, smart enthusiasts know that the rear storage area has up to 12 cubic feet of storage space when filled to the roof line!

The “street smart” 2007 smart USA Road Show will continue to tour across the country through the first week of November. Follow the Road Show map on www.smartusa.com to see when smart USA will visit your city for your chance to test drive the new smart fortwo and enjoy a delicious snack from Kettle™ brand Potato Chips.

The Hard Shell of a Nut

This is probably one of the most watched videos on the Smart. Yes, the Smart gets totally f*ed up from the crash, but what car wouldn't when crashed into a 20 ton wall at 70mph?!?!

If all of us were driving cars of this size, we wouldn't have to worry about the consequences of running into another car of similar size. I think what should concern us more than the durability of the Smart is the 110 lb housewife speeding around in her Lincoln Navigator, talking on the cell phone, running red lights and getting only 10 mpg. I see it all the time.That's the real crime IMO.

Are U.S. Drivers Ready For Tiny Smart Cars?

Several smart cars sit in a showroom for potential dealers at the headquarters for ZAP. The company, based in Santa Rosa, Calif., had specialized in electric vehicles but is branching out to sell thousands of the high mileage, gasoline-powered cars.

By Miguel Llanos

MSNBC

The tiny car that won over Europeans with its cute looks and very high mileage is finally coming to America, just not in the way you might expect it to.

The 60-mpg, two-seat coupes are made by a European company called smart, but the DaimlerChrysler division is not the one selling them here anytime soon. True, they will be sold in Canada starting in September, but not so in the United States.

~Regardless of whether we're "ready" or not, I think we're running out of options.

Source:
Are U.S. drivers ready for tiny smart cars?

Mercedes Wants its Mini

The Mercedes Car Group division of DaimlerChrysler is thinking about killing its small A-Class Mercedes model (do people really think of it as a luxury car?), as it mulls a replacement for its B-Class, according to a report in the German-language Wirtschaftwoche. Mercedes is also reportedly thinking about starting from scratch again and designing a small car with aspirations that it would bring the division the same fame in the category that the Mini has done for BMW. I can't help thinking about the Smart small-car model, which while drawing way more than its fair share of media attention, has been a financial disaster.

Source:
Mercedes Wants its Mini

Smart Fortwo Comes to USA

The Smart Fortwo is made by Mercedes, with over 750,000 sold in 26 countries. Now it’s coming to the US. Check the Roadshow to see if they’ll be in your area.

• 8.8 feet long (you can usually fit two smart fortwos in an average parking space!)
• 5.1 feet tall (the smart still has as much headroom as most luxury vehicles!)
• 5.1 feet wide (two six foot, five inch plus people can sit side by side with plenty of shoulder room to spare!)

The top speed of the smart fortwo is approximately 90 mph.

This would make a great commuting car, and it’s guaranteed an aftermarket will quickly emerge, for souping up the engine and adding accessories.

Source:
Politics in the Zeros » Smart Fortwo comes to USA

Welcome...Our 1st Post (mission statement more or less)

Welcome to ILoveSmartCar.com.

This is (obviously) the first post here at ILSC. We chose the month of July to kick off the site because we feel that July is a great month of change here in the US. It is a month to celebrate freedom and the liberties that we are fortunate enough enjoy. We feel that the introduction of the Smart Car in the US will be a beacon of the changes that are coming in the near future on many fronts. The old ways are dying and it is time to welcome a new way of doing things.

This site is for Smart Car enthusiasts to come together in hopeful anticipation for what is to come. While the emphasis will be primarily on the Smart Car, we hope this site will grow to encompass not only "all things Smart", but many more things that involve healthy ways of living and viewing the world. Whether it be recycling, alternative fuels and energy or spiritual and metaphysical concerns, it will be welcome to be discussed here.

Let's hope that years from now this 1st post will be historic. Here's to better things...and so it begins....