Did you ever wonder how the smart vehicle come into existence? Part 2

By David McClelland

 

This is the second blog of a multiple-part series on smart. 

The smart car is spelled with a small "s" because it IS small, on the outside. 

smart USA has more than 709 smart dealerships nation-wide. More than 1,000 smarts have been sold at the Michigan dealership during the two years since the smart was introduced in the United States in January, 2008. Sales are strongly influenced by the economy and the current price of gas. If the per gallon gas price goes over $4, sales increase. 40,000 smart cars were sold, nation-wide, in 2008 & 2009.

 

            Worldwide, the idea for the smart has been around for 23 years. It began in Germany when Daimler-Benz was approached by Nicolas Hayek, the inventor of Swatch watches, who wanted to make a small car that would be fuel efficient, environmentally responsible and easy to park in small spaces. Daimler Benz agreed and the first Micro Compact Car development began in 1994. The first car was unveiled at the 1997 Frankfort Motor Show and went on sale the next year. The name "smart" came from Swatch, Mercedes and "art". For about two years before smart cars became available at dealerships, one could order one online to his or her specifications with a $99 refundable deposit, but usually had to wait for nearly a year for delivery. 

            The Penske Automotive Groupsmart believed that mobility begins in the mind and that "open the mind", which is imprinted on many of its shirts and caps, is a call to question the status quo, take a different angle and a fresh approach. The smart car is a concept that makes more efficient use of the ever deminishing space available in our towns and cities.

 

            The Brand Manager of the Michigan smart car dealership is Shane Reed. His take on the smart car is that, "America is ready for this brand. smart is fun, unique and economical without sacrificing safety and style." A recent smart buyer is Jean Williams-Gammey of Auburn Hills who works for Common Ground, not far north of the smart dealership. Jean bought her smart in September, 2009 and "Loves it. It is fun to drive, gets great gas mileage and is BIG inside." She said she has had "no problems" with it.

 

Tina Daniels, when asked how she liked her smart car, said "This is the only car that makes people respond positively when they look at it! Children will point and smile or adults will smile and wave! When I drop the top on my Smart car, people honk their horns and give me the thumbs up sign! What more fun and cool can that be? The Smart car will never haul a boat or RV, but it will definitely get you where you need to be! The car has found a niche for consumers like me...owners that wanted something "fun" and "nifty" to get around in, but is good on gas and fun to drive!" She also told me that she has a Lexus in the garage, but prefers to drive her smart car which she does on a 112 mile round-trip from her home in Lapeer to her Henry Ford Hospital nursing job in Detroit each day.

            Tina gave me a ride in her smart car and I was amazed by how roomy it is on the inside. As I told her, it has the feel of a much larger car as you sit in the passenger seat. And pep? It zooms around. Shane told me it has a governor that prevents one from driving the smart car faster than 90 miles an hour. 

            The following Monday, I made an appointment at the smart car dealership for a "test drive" of my own. Shane asked Samantha Ball to take me. She drove us up to the Summit Place Mall parking lot and I drove back. When I drove into the dealership lot, I didn't want to get out of the car. I wanted more. Now, I'm considering one of my own. It was that much fun to drive. Again, while in the driver's seat, it has the feel of a much larger car. I did feel "smart" driving it.

 Look for my next blog on Sunday, March 13^th where I will discuss more about smart and what the future holds for his vehicle in the United statest.