NEW YORK, June 28 (Reuters) - DaimlerChrysler AG (DCXGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) (DCX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) may face an uphill struggle when it launches its two-seater Smart car in the United States in 2008.
In a quick survey of Americans in New York's Times Square on Wednesday, as many people saw the tiny vehicle as ugly as found it cool and cute. And there were also concerns about safety and the lack of space -- for baggage or people.
While Smart cars have been tooling around European cities for years, the American car market -- still dominated by SUVs and pickup trucks -- is an entirely different matter.
Even in an era of $3 a gallon gasoline and increased concern about the environment, many were still wary.
"It's really ugly," said Liz Viccora, 20, of Long Island, New York. "I like environmentally friendly cars, but this looks like a go-cart or one of those things security guards drive at the mall."
DaimlerChrysler on Wednesday announced plans to launch Smart in the United States at an expected price of not much less than $15,000. That is enough to buy any one of dozens of four- and five-seat vehicles, so it may take some financial incentives to warm Americans to the Smart car.
Barely 8 feet long, it is about half as long as a Toyota Camry. Even the Mini Cooper, a minor hit among U.S. trendsetters in recent years, is 50 percent longer.
While DaimlerChrysler says the new version of the Smart car to be sold in the U.S. market would have more storage space, size remains the key problem for many.
"I have too many kids for something that size," said John Pabft, a 52-year-old with three daughters. "We wouldn't be able to fit anything."
But the car's polarizing design attracts some supporters.
"They're futuristic, and that's what's cool," said Junior McNeill, 37, who first saw the cars in this summer's hit film "The Da Vinci Code." "They look like modern-day buggies."
Isaac Logan, 19, said: "It's small and it's cute. It would definitely get attention on the street."
Some saw a Smart as an alternative for quick errands.
"It would be a second car I would use mainly for grocery shopping and short trips around town," said Zubin Furtado, 30, of Jersey City, New Jersey.
TOUGH SELL?
And while some drivers say a Smart would be easier to maneuver in cities where traffic is heavy and street parking scarce, parking would not necessarily cost any less.
"There's no incentive for those cars. Everyone pays the same rate," said Craig Chin, a spokesman for New York City's Department of Transportation.
There's one other big issue.
Even if the Smart wins a federal government seal of approval for safety, some Americans fear it would be no match for a Hummer or an 18-wheeled semi in a crash.
"You'd have to keep your will in the glove compartment," said Keith Wagner, 37, of New York City. "If you got hit by an SUV or a truck, it looks like you'd be dead."
I don't know all the specs, but I doubt it's for highway, it would be for major city traffic only.
Yeah, only two seats, no cargo room. It's one step above a motorcycle. It would be for hard core environmentalists, as it get super good gas mileage.
I wouldn't mind having one myself, to commute to work, but the smallness of it worries me, as you would die if you got hit by anything. I think a motorcycle might kill you. The thing is a small beer can.
I dunno, maybe if gas goes to 6 dollars a gallon, or ten, people may start getting these things, but at 3, I don't see it happening.
This is the car we own. The 2000 Limited Millenium Edition, though (Only 160 in the world), developed by Mercedes and Swatch. If our car ever gets stolen, we'll find it right away 'cause there's only 2 of this model in Taiwan. (Other Smart drivers here always beam at us in jealousy)
Yes, only 2 seats. The things the size of a suitcase, what do you expect? I don't think you guys understand exactly HOW compact this car is... it'll knock your socks off when you first sit in one. There's plenty of moving space in the front seats, however. We can fit ourselves, 1 big dog and 1 small dog in it very comfortably.
My luggage always fits fine in the boot. So does the shopping. Can't really move any book shelves or anything, I guess.
I've gotten it up to about 80 miles per hour before. I know it can go faster. I've seen them at about 150 on the German Autobahns.
Petrol tank fits in about 4 galons and I can get about 190 miles off that.
I've done all these calculations from litres and km to gallons and miles, of course.
Replacing any parts is a *****, though. We recently got a new key for the thing, cost me 400 US bucks.
By the way, its not unsafe. The enclosure is made of some plastic material and is designed/molded for shock-impact absorbtion. A truck hit the wife while she was driving once, the car was fine... truck had a big dent in it.
"I'm for it so we can put Nuclear power plants up there, and then beam the power back to earth on a laser beam." ~ Whidden
I fell in love with smart cars when I went to Europe last month, but I don't see them having a very sucessful run in the states. There are a lot of hurdles to overcome as far as the mindset of american drivers go. While I think more americans are taking a closer look at the MPG sticker posted on new autos, I don't think most consumers would go as far to test drive a smart car for any other reason then to say they've been in one.
I loved this car when I saw it in Europe a few years back. They're adorable, teeny, you can parallel park it PERPENDICULARLY ( ) and they go hella faster than you think. They zipped passed us all the time and we were in an audi. I hope they come to the US. I don't know if I'd buy one b/c I love my Toyota and all but I'd love to see those little suckers zipping around the freeway.
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I think this one chick was driving one in Da Vinci Code movie. They looked like you could pick it up and put it in your pocket when you were done with it. The thing looks like a roller skate.
06-29-2006 03:56 AM
) and they go hella faster than you think. They zipped passed us all the time and we were in an audi. I hope they come to the US. I don't know if I'd buy one b/c I love my Toyota and all but I'd love to see those little suckers zipping around the freeway.
