Mercedes to sell SMART car in 2006

[Rocky]

Just read this today...

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentSe...d=1056665411599 (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1056665411599)

[Nektopoli]

The smart is the biggest piece of JUNK out there, a bigger piece of junk the the Ford KA ('http://"http://www.carsource.co.uk/ka"').

NP

[omegabenz]

Mercedes in the US is viewed more as status. In germany, people know they are expensive, but many many people have mercedes, which they custom order from the factory with the options they want: they are really into that over there.

Some people like the smart car, but some people absolutely hate it over there. Some like the A class, some hate it, but everyone seems to like the C class and up.

I think the smart car is tooooooo small to be driving in the US unless fuel prices go from $2 per gallon to $4 per gallon because the SUVs probably cant see the Smart car and I think a lot of them will get run over (smart cars). Good concept, but in the US, they arent practical. In europe where the streets are narror and fuel is nearly $5 per gallon, it is much more practical.

Just some of my observations from my trip last month to germany.

[omegabenz]

The KA and some renault car that looks exactly like it. Yeah I can attest to them being junk. They are always in the way and very inconsiderate drivers.

I was rollin' on the autobahn A8 and this KA/Renault junk, pulls into the far left lane here I was at 160+mph and had to slow down. And those cars don't have enough power to get out of the way.

It seemed to me like the 1.9 TDI engine was very common in VWs and AUDI cars over there. Seems like they are the pace car of the Autobahn, typically driving at 120mph or so. Many diesel cars there are very impressive. I hope to see some more mercedes diesel cars in the US.

[scottschoe]

this really should be sold under chrysler; merc is doing well with its new models and the smart will only dilute forward progress

btw if it's going to be sold in 2006 how have I already spotted a few around where I live?

[MrSpace]

I want a smart coupe or roadster

they are dope (if you have the special C class Mercedes enthousiast mag there is a great article in it)

Etienne

[C-Kompii]

The car is not badged Mercedes so it won't really dilute the brand IMO. It will be like the Mini for BMW.

The car seems kinda fun with a funky interior, but it's just way over priced for such a small little car with a incredibly tiny engine.

As for the A-Class... maybe they should have badged that as the top of the line smart instead.

-G'day-

[redline]

The SMART and A Class will ruin mercedes brand identity... the merger with crysler has already got some buyers questioning the stability of the company in the future, and their ability to make quality products.

[Shude]

Originally posted by redline
The SMART and A Class will ruin mercedes brand identity... the merger with crysler has already got some buyers questioning the stability of the company in the future, and their ability to make quality products.
If you have ever been in an MCC Smart you will realise there is no loss of quality, it is an amazing little car! I had a sit in one yesterday at the stealership (they don't sell them but they have two demonstrators for their Smart stealership down the road), it felt solid and as well made as any other MB. My sister wants one now :)

Very few people in Europe "hate" the Smart, not everyone would like to own one but I think everyone realises what they are trying to achieve. They are not slow either, one passed me on the motorway a few days ago at 90mph+ :)

[redline]

Originally posted by Shude
If you have ever been in an MCC Smart you will realise there is no loss of quality, it is an amazing little car! I had a sit in one yesterday at the stealership (they don't sell them but they have two demonstrators for their Smart stealership down the road), it felt solid and as well made as any other MB. My sister wants one now :)

Very few people in Europe "hate" the Smart, not everyone would like to own one but I think everyone realises what they are trying to achieve. They are not slow either, one passed me on the motorway a few days ago at 90mph+ :)

But the image Mercedes-Benz puts on within the States is a ultra-luxury car maker or large German cars... with the C Coupe, people are taking a second look at the company and with the SMART, well, the super luxury status is fading away

[Shude]

Originally posted by redline
But the image Mercedes-Benz puts on within the States is a ultra-luxury car maker or large German cars... with the C Coupe, people are taking a second look at the company and with the SMART, well, the super luxury status is fading away
The Toyota Yaris is made by the same company that makes the Lexus LS430. The Honda Civic comes from the same company that makes the Acura NSX and the Mini comes from the same company as the BMW 760i and the new Rolls Royce. It is all to do with branding, the cars aren't badged as MB, just "powered by" and "engineered by" in places. The aim is to get people to buy the city cars as a bottom step, then work up to the more expensive models as they get older. I don't think it will hurt the brand at all.

[timc]

I agree i don't think it will hurt the brand at all.. What I think it will do is bring people into the brand earlier..

Start with a smart move up to a C maybe then and E and so on.

[Nektopoli]

Originally posted by MrSpace
I want a smart coupe or roadster

they are dope (if you have the special C class Mercedes enthousiast mag there is a great article in it)

Etienne

I saw one in Greece it wasn't bad, I did see a smart tower also could'nt get a picture. I smart car it a very dangerous car, all the weight is in the rear so they can be tail tipped, put the car in revers, drive backward at a good speed and slam on the brake and it will flip on it tail gate.

The launch was delayed six months to make sure the smart wouldn't tip over too easily.

NP

[redline]

Originally posted by Shude
The Toyota Yaris is made by the same company that makes the Lexus LS430. The Honda Civic comes from the same company that makes the Acura NSX and the Mini comes from the same company as the BMW 760i and the new Rolls Royce. It is all to do with branding, the cars aren't badged as MB, just "powered by" and "engineered by" in places. The aim is to get people to buy the city cars as a bottom step, then work up to the more expensive models as they get older. I don't think it will hurt the brand at all.

Valid point, but they don't sell the Toyota Yaris at the LS430 dealership, and they don't sell the Mini at a Rolls-Royce dealership. If they plan on selling a SMART at a Mercedes dealership, next to a S600, then how wouldn't it ruin brand Identity?

People know when they buy a Lexus that they are buying a Toyota. People who buy Acura's know that they are buying a Honda. But people who buy a SMART, shouldn't know that they are buying a Mercedes. Its not a Big Luxury Import, and thats what most people think when they think of Mercedes.

[Nektopoli]

Thing is a Yaris is NOT a bad car, the smart was plaged with problems from day one. It also good for about 35,000 miles then it into the dumpster.

NP