|
|
Post by bescheid on Jul 2, 2006 15:01:20 GMT -7
A very risky proposition for Daimler/Chrysler to begin marketing this very small two sitter automobles in the American market. This market segment has historicaly been anti-small cars for many years. The gamble is this: With the currant and long range extended fuel prices, Daimler/Chrysler has determined that the timing is correct for the expensive start up cost/profit of this new introduction. The market areas at present are for rural East Coast,West Coast and South regions. As these are two sitter vehicles with 3 cylinder motors of modest power, and of a very short wheel base, they are not suited for high speed touring. But as designed, very suitable for rural transportation, cramped parking areas and in town operation. www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,2072945,00.html?maca=en-germany-info-en-econ-1211-js-box "Smart" cars poised for American debut DaimlerChrysler will begin selling its Smart brand two-seater "microcar" in the United States in 2008, the German-American automaker said this week. DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche presents the new Smart car, which is due to hit U.S. streets in 2008. dpa photo With gas hovering around $3 a gallon and urban parking places in short supply, the time is right for the tiny car, which carries the name Fortwo, DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche said. "I am convinced that the Smart Fortwo as an innovative, ecological and agile city car will soon become just as familiar a sight on the streets of New York, Miami or Seattle, as it is today in Rome, Berlin or Paris," Zetsche said in a statement. The current Fortwo model is powered by a 3-cylinder engine capable of 40 miles per gallon in the city and 60 miles per gallon on the highway. With a 10-gallon tank, the car gets at least 400 miles before refueling. The new Smart models unveiled in 2008 will be priced at around $15,000. Smart cars have been a fixture on European streets for years, but analysts said that the Fortwo, which is barely 8 feet long, could be a hard sell for American drivers used to SUVs and pickup trucks. Even the Mini Cooper is 50% longer, critics have noted. Smart was introduced in 1998 in Europe, and more than 750,000 units have been sold in 36 countries since then. It was recently featured in the film "The Da Vinci Code" and has gained a following among celebrities including daytime talkshow doyen Sally Jesse Raphael, who bought one in France in 1999. Charles |
|
Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
|
Post by Bob S on Jul 3, 2006 13:25:06 GMT -7
;D Charles. I thought we had "smart cars" her in America long before Germany even thought of the idea. I have seen and heard the headline news that the "SUV" did this thing or another. It seems that the SUV has a mind of its own and imitated the acts of a human. Sorry Germany, you are too late to claim a "smart car" because we already had them in America. LOL  |
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jul 3, 2006 14:38:53 GMT -7
My goddaughter in Germany was looking at a Smart several years ago. They wre quite popular with the student crowd. I noticed a good article in the NY Tmes about it with an entertaining commentary.  You Call This a Car? We Have Bigger Cockroaches www.nytimes.comBy DAN BARRY Published: July 2, 2006 THE automaker DaimlerChrysler proudly announced last week that in 2008 it will introduce to the American market something called the Smart car, a vehicle too small to contain even the nimblest gang of Shriner clowns. This car could dangle from its own key ring. The rest you can read at www.nytimes.com/2006/07/02/weekinreview/02barry.html?_r=1&oref=sloginor find an icon to click on, on the front page of the Times. Bob, your commentary is a bit difficult to understand, though it is a pretty sure bet the Smart is not the car for you. As far as teh name "Smart" goes, it seems like an original that would appeal to young students and city dwellers. The name makes a bit more sense than our choices of "Mustang", "Challenger" and "Avalanche". I guess if you do get caught in an Avalanche you stand a good chance of being found dead in it. Maybe Smart does make sense! Kai |
|
|
|
Post by bescheid on Jul 3, 2006 16:16:40 GMT -7
Bob s Well, I see you are thinking  The smartest thing in America was Henry Ford. If it was even remotely possible, the man {Ford} should be cloned. Other then that, sorry to disappoint you on the American first. The first was in Germany in the war with the KDF Wagen, you would know it now as Volkswagen. Post war, the smart car or {Kleinwagen} was of a very many manufactures. Just only to name a very few: Messerschmitt TG 500, Maico 500, BMW Isetta {it was the one with the front entry door in the nose}, Heinkel Kabine, Lyoyd Alexander {that was a little cutie}. And the Trabie {Trabant 600} The Trabie is now a collectors item. The French had the Renault {dauphin} and Citroen The Italian had the: Fiat 500 {little mouse}, Fiat 600 {a pleasant little auto} Actually, the smart idea is very old, there were many many variations of the design by most of the major manufactures in both Europe and the US. If you like, google or yahoo any of the above names. I imagine you might find them very interesting. For many years until just recently though, you are correct with the American models. For the money, it was very very difficult to beat an American design for power, comfort and size. They were designed for the American driver and prevailing conditions of distance and minimum maintenance. At present, there are so many different manufactures, models to fit any of the needs of the owner, any variation of taste and price, it is all out there. The market is wide open. The manufacture/marketing of transportation is very risky and history is filled with the many names of has beens and what were. And what is Smart? Only to the beholder to make that decision. Charles |
|
|
|
Post by bescheid on Jul 3, 2006 16:27:04 GMT -7
Kai Thank you for the article, I found it interesting and informative. Perhaps the little smart will find its place in a certain segment of society, or end up as a colossal failure, who knows. You know, those things are so ugly in appearance, I wonder if once a person were to actually try one out, if perhaps the ugly would become cute. One of many of my thoughts though of the Smart. The parking stalls are not designed for some thing that small. But, if enough need were demonstrated, it should be a real space saver for the parking lots. www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5217861Even though my 1992 VW Jetta {Bora} is small by currant standards, there are instances in traffic that perhaps the little smart, would be not only smart, but very useful. Charles |
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jul 3, 2006 16:48:02 GMT -7
Charles,
A test for you, one that will bring this around to a Polish perspective: Which Fiat is it that the Poles started to manufacture?
This is the famous one where you take the smallest sheet metal box you can put on wheels and you stuff the biggest Pole into it! Most of those I have seen had a 300 lb. Polish contortionist at the wheel. They made it look like a kiddie car.
Kai
|
|
|
|
Post by bescheid on Jul 3, 2006 17:26:59 GMT -7
gollies Kai I am not sure at the moment, I would like to say Yugo but, I think that was manufactured in Yugoslavia. Boy Kai, you have me on this one... Ok, if no other answers, I will research it tomorrow, now my curiosity is going. Charles |
|
Bob S
European
Rainbow Bear
Posts: 2,052
|
Post by Bob S on Jul 3, 2006 18:26:52 GMT -7
 Charles and Kai. I was refering to the news headlines. "The SUV" rolled over, ran down pedestrians, unexpectidly accelerated, was envolved in a headon collision, etc., etc., etc., There is never mention of a driver being present or in control of the automobile. It's as if the car had a mind of its own and could do all those actions without the aid of a driver. Could it be that some type of AI was built into those cars? Perhaps those cars need some education and training. LOL ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jul 3, 2006 19:02:58 GMT -7
gollies Kai I am not sure at the moment, I would like to say Yugo but, I think that was manufactured in Yugoslavia. Boy Kai, you have me on this one... Ok, if no other answers, I will research it tomorrow, now my curiosity is going. Charles OK, just a hint, one that will show everyone what we are talking about....  Imagine a big Polish guy stuffing himself into that thing! Kai |
|
|
|
Post by bescheid on Jul 3, 2006 19:51:43 GMT -7
Bob S Haaaa, thank you for the clarification, indeed I now understand what you were trying to describe. I had not seen this news and was simply just ignorant of it. Boy, oh boy, that SUV certainly did have a mind of its own at that. Makes you wonder what it did with its driver? I should not laugh though, I once lost my Renault Dauphin whilst parking on a steep hill side with the emergency brake set, out of gear with the motor running. Stepped out for a moment, heard a gravel crunch, and there it went, all the way down the hill side, through a brush pile, and hit the one and only pine tree in the area. Hit it dead centre, walked to it, shut the motor off, and hated my self for a while. Well, at least a person can shoot a horse and eat it,but, a darn motor car, what do you do? Any way, thank you Bob for the clarification, it was ironic and funny at same time. Charles |
|
|
|
Post by bescheid on Jul 3, 2006 20:11:28 GMT -7
Kai I am looking at that little tiny red thing and boy, I still have not a clue. It does look like a strange type of Fiat though. I think I have seen photos of some thing like that, but, thought it was of Russian manufacture. I am determined not to cheat with researching it. Still thinking.... It is for sure, rear engined, It is for sure not related to a Trabi, too well designed. Almost that of an NSU but, of course it is polish. Trying to process elimination of what it is not, to figure what it is. There once was a very little fiat though, but, just have no recall of the model name at the moment. Well, I give up, and still I will not cheat.. Well Kai, you have me on this one....  Charles |
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jul 3, 2006 21:35:14 GMT -7
This is the Polish Polonez and this is a fancy Fiat 126  and of course there is the hot-rodded version for the speedster in all of us...  Kai Thanks for the explanation, Bob, and thanks for the sporting try Charles. I thought these were quite famous. |
|
|
|
Post by kaima on Jul 4, 2006 1:13:09 GMT -7
It is nice to keep in mind that I am talking about an older version of the Polonez autos (and i have corrected my spelling). In addition to this malo - mini the also produced a wide variety of practical vehicles... www.autohistories.com/fso/polonez.html   The other Polonez i was getting confused with is the Polonez dance, which perhaps can spark some clarification from someone who has a right foot to counter their left foot...  then my search revealed some Polish Aussies out there dancing at www.polonez.org.au/ Obviously I am delivering the graphic details today... Kai |
|
|
|
Post by bescheid on Jul 4, 2006 8:58:35 GMT -7
Kai Well, can you beat that! FSO Polonez! not a bad looking auto! Boy, now I have some brain cell contusions that need healing up over that...... Thank you Kai for this new information, I enjoyed it.... Say now, if the group from Austrailia were to do advertising for FSO, who would know the limits of sales! Charles |
|
The smartest thing in America was Henry Ford. If it was even remotely possible, the man {Ford} should be cloned.
Charles and Kai. I was refering to the news headlines. "The SUV" rolled over, ran down pedestrians, unexpectidly accelerated, was envolved in a headon collision, etc., etc., etc., There is never mention of a driver being present or in control of the automobile. It's as if the car had a mind of its own and could do all those actions without the aid of a driver. Could it be that some type of AI was built into those cars? Perhaps those cars need some education and training. LOL ;D