"Smart" cars - will they become available in the US?

MickeS · 07-22-2003, 01:04 PM

The brand Smart sells tiny little cars, with a very stylish design. Their Roadster is incredibly cool, IMO.

I wonder if anyone knows if they'll be available in the US some time soon? I would love to be able to have a car that would only use 1/4 of the garage when I park it.

Website: http://www.smart.com

Here's the Smart Roadster:

/Mike

Julian Reville · 07-22-2003, 01:12 PM

That's .........cute.

Do they have a SUV model?

07-22-2003, 06:28 PM

I did a search, but I couldn't find the thread that someone started not too long ago about this very thing. As I recall, Daimler Chrysler (which owns Smart) will be exporting the four-door Smart car to the 'States in 2006. It's not as "cute" as the roadster, however, so I don't think I'll be interested.

Peter Kline · 07-22-2003, 06:43 PM

It was me! here's the original thread with pic.

LewB · 07-22-2003, 07:01 PM

I like !!!

Something tells me we will have Smart cars before we have smart drivers

**HTF Ads**

07-22-2003, 08:31 PM

Quote:

It was me!

Peter, I thought it was you, but I didn't want to say so and then be proven wrong. My memory isn't what it used to be.

And I must confess that after visiting the smart.com site, the four-door Smart car is definitely growing on me. I may have to retract what I said about it in your thread.

MickeS · 07-23-2003, 10:40 AM

I don't know Brian, I kinda agree with you... the two-seater is the way to go for me, I want it because of its small size. The four-seater version is OK too, but seems to be bigger (ie I'd have to clean out my garage

).

I'm surprised it'll take so long to introduce the brand in the US, since the distribution should be easy thanks to all the existing DaimlerChrysler dealers. I really hope they'll introduce the smaller version too.

Speaking of this, I wonder if there are any plans to introduce the Mercedes A-Class in the US? I don't see much of a market for it here though, I think the smart might have more appeal.

PS. Sorry for not doing a search.

David-S · 07-23-2003, 11:02 AM

I believe the smaller ones have problems w/ US crash safety requirements, IIRC

07-23-2003, 12:02 PM

Quote:

I believe the smaller ones have problems w/ US crash safety requirements, IIRC

It's the no-doors, no-roof thing, isn't it?

Philip_G · 07-23-2003, 12:14 PM

13,000 GBP though

more costly than a cooper S

MickeS · 07-23-2003, 02:46 PM

US crash safety requirements shouldn't be a problem... I've seen enough cars drive around that seem like they'd fall apart if it rained on them.

Where did you read that?