"Smart For Two's" -Tiny Smart Cars Poised to Make it Big in the USA

They’re being called “cute” and “toy-like”, but these little cuties offer all of the amenities of larger cars and more. They might be only a mere 2.5 meters long, but the tiny two passengers Smart cars are aiming to make it very big in the United States where hulky gas-guzzling trucks cars and trucks have long ruled the road.

Retailing at a mere $11,600, Smart cars are cheap, easy to maneuver, and much more fuel-efficient than the standard car, which equates to being a much more environmentally and wallet friendly alternative to the standard auto. They get an impressive 40-45 miles (65-72 kilometers) to the gallon without sacrificing the important amenities American drivers take for granted. But can these minute machines really catch on with American consumers? Smart USA spokesman Ken Kettenbeil is fully certain that they will.

"We definitely think that the Americans are ready for the Smart For Two," Kettenbeil said confidently.

In fact, the company has already received 30,000 reservations for the car, which its manufacturers hope will catch on with city-dwellers hoping to escape increasingly gridlocked roads.

"When you look at all the factors, besides the interest, rising gas prices, increasing congestion in urban cities, all of those factors are hitting at the right time when smaller vehicles like the Smart car make a lot of sense, economically, and at a functional level for many people," Kettenbeil said.

Kettenbeil believes the car's impressive fuel economy will be attractive to environmentally conscious leaders and trendsetters in large cities around the nation like Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

Leslie Kendall, curator of the Petersen auto museum in Los Angeles, which has recently hosted an exhibition of "micro-cars," believes that the Smart car is the first vehicle offered to American buyers that makes perfect sense.

"People here like comfortable cars, that they can sit in and turn on the stereo, the air conditioning, put down the top, open the sunroof," Kendall said.

"Until recently ... no small car was available that was a truly quality automobile, with performance, features, handling, in a small affordable package. And the Smart speaks to all of that.

"The Smart is a small car handling, maneuverability, price -- but with large car amenities."

Kendall belives the Smart car could even enjoy the sort of phenomenal success enjoyed by the Volkswagen Beetle during the 1950s and 1960s.

"The Smart is quirky today in a way the Beetle was decades ago," Kendall explained. "People look at it and think, 'I can set myself apart, I can proclaim my individuality, and make it on a budget.' People are looking at the Smart in the same way today."

Early indicators suggest there is substance to Kendall's views. Glen Hanson, a Los Angeles-based illustrator from Canada who has already reserved his Smart, said he is attracted by the design.

"I'm a visual artist, and they look cute, they look like a toy," Hanson told AFP. "The mileage is amazing, for all of those reasons, it just seems like why wouldn't a single person have a car like this."

Hanson said he is going to replace his 1989 Mazda with the tiny car that better "fits my lifestyle and suits living in the city."

According to Hanson, the Smart is a pocket-sized riposte to motorists who favor automotive behemoths such as Hummers.

"There's only one reason to buy a Hummer, that's the status," he said. "There's no practical reason. Unless you go to war, why do you need a Hummer?" (Hmmm, good point, but maybe we can talk everyone who drives a hummer into service in Iraq…Eh? That would be like killing two birds with one stone, so to speak, if they brought their hummers with them.)

Kendall meanwhile believes that the Smart represents an "entire new way of thinking about what cars can do, a shifting paradigm."

"People come to understand that longer, lower, wider isn't necessarily the way to go now. The Smart is a statement, but it's a counterpoint."

Smart USA is currently taking reservations for just $99, if you’re interested in getting your own little environmentally friendly driving machine at http://www.smartusa.com/ .

Posted by Rebecca Sato

Note: FYI, DG does not receive any financial incentive to promote this car, or anything else we write about. But since our readers tend to be environmentally aware, smart and curious, we do our best to share anything we come across, including new tech, societal trends and scientific breakthroughs that we find cool/unique enough to write about. Just thought you’d like to know that!

Related Galaxy posts:

MIT Present the World's First Carbon-Free, Stackable Rental Car
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The End of Oil?

links:
http://www.smartusa.com/
http://physorg.com/news114189732.html

Comments

[ganeshbrhills]

Well, $11,600 is neither "mere"
nor "cheap". The SUZUKI-ALTO, a
compact 4 seater with a 3 cylinder
800cc Petrol engine is available here in India for under $6000!

TATA's of India have showcased their "People's Car" priced at
~$2,500 only!! This will be available by mid 2008...

[RJ]

This is definitely the way we need to approach the future of automobiles- smart and sustainably. Thanks for the great article!

[Alex]

Yes, it LOOKS like the solution. But I drove a ForTwo through Los Angeles for my video podcast show thing - Alex’s Carmageddon (link above) - It’s a terrible, terrible car. You can’t get it with a stick, so it’s not zippy and the fuel savings are teeny - like the ForTwo itself. video on http://www.alexscarmageddon.com

[John Khan]

New Kahn Smart Wheel Available March/April

What would it mean to take a Smart Car, a derived icon of narrow European streets — and convince Afzal Kahn to design a ‘Smart’ wheel?

Well; according to Afzal Kahn: British masculinity is defined by two ideals: size and speed. The rogue hormone known as testosterone thrives not only on horsepower but also on style.
In other words: Afzal Kahn did not need any convincing.

Note the date: March/April, Project Kahn will be releasing their latest product:

The cleverly evolved new ‘Smart RSL Wheel’ (Bright Silver Paint) by Project Kahn wheels gives the Smart Car a fresh and masculine appearance whilst retaining its unmistakable character.
Complete with maximum agility, safety and ecology, the stunning Kahn 6.5x17 – 7X17 Wheel bestows an aura style and self-expression.

Kahn, who has carved an international reputation for applying old-world craftsmanship and the finest materials to turn standard cars into bespoke works of art said: “Project Kahn is facing up to what now seems to be increasingly well-established trends towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars for personal transport.

“We have successfully steered products and services towards high end users for many years. However, we are confident; the new Smart wheel will delight select consumers who own distinctively styled Smart cars throughout the world.

“Look out for a fresh body styling kit and number of exciting Smart related products in the coming weeks and months ahead.”

Kahn has designed wheels, interiors and body kits for Range Rover, Aston Martin and Bentley amongst others.

And recently, he received much acclaim for adding his bespoke touch to the SsangYong Rexton R-Line - so enthusiastically received by visitors to the SsangYong British motor show stand, that distributors Koelliker UK, had no hesitation in adding it to their range.

Our elegant and sculpted alloy wheel designs are evolved through skilled artistic innovation and state-of-the art manufacturing and materials technology.

Project Kahn’s innovative manufacturing process, luxurious materials and components are without equal; the seductive blend of refinement will no doubt satisfy the most demanding customers.

Notes:
It is our duty at Project Kahn to predict and outmaneuver the market in which we operate, releasing products to satisfy even the most demanding of customers. So feel free to visit

http://www.kahndesign.com

For more information on the Kahn RSL Smart Wheel contact John Khan