Smart ForTwo: 50 dealerships, January 2008

If you've paid any attention to the automotive headlines this year, you already know the golf-cart-size Smart ForTwo is headed our way. Smart invited journalists to San Francisco this week to drive the second-generation ForTwo, which has been on sale in Europe since last spring. We tagged along and gathered some more details on its U.S. arrival. The word from Smart president Dave Schembri and chairman Roger Penske is that 74 dealerships have signed on, with around 50 set to be ready at launch. The first '08 ForTwos hit showrooms in January.

Smart is a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, so about two-thirds of the dealerships are affiliated with the three-pointed star. Most Smart dealerships will be a "store within a store," Schembri said, where each dealer has a walled-off Smart showroom complete with its own entrance and white, black and yellow décor.

In addition to large markets like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, Schembri said Smart will also sell the ForTwo in some areas you wouldn't normally consider — like Omaha, Neb.; Jackson, Miss.; and Louisville, Ky. Credit the brand's website, where Smart has already taken more than 30,000 reservations for the car at $99 a pop. Consumer interest came across broader regions than Smart first considered — including Hawaii and Alaska, which will get Smart dealerships "at some point," Schembri said.

Just how accessible will 74 dealerships make the ForTwo? Compare it to a few other boutique brands: As of last May, Mini had 81 dealerships, Hummer had 173 and Land Rover had 174, according to Automotive News. Smart is building much of its initial supply to order, with the first cars going to those who placed orders sometime last April. We don't know if that means the first cars you'll see at Smart dealerships will be spoken for, but if you want one, it's probably a good idea to sign up now.

Comments

[ziggy]

I hope the Fortwo is successful enough that they bring the Forfour to the U.S.

[LM]

I hope it's successful enough they bring the diesel over.

[Mart]

Well considering they are not going to make the ForFour anymore, don't get your hopes up!

The Diesel would be nice though...

[ziggy]

That's too bad about the Forfour. They're going to have a good peak in sales for a while and then fall flat. They'll need something to spark more interest...kinda like Mini's doing with the clubman and possible AWD versions.

[Jeff]

Got my Smart 4/2 reserved and hopt to see it soon in my Miami dealership. I've seen these many times in Europe and think they'll be a big hit here for around town driving. 40 to 45 MPG is a big draw for me. I hope to be one of the first ones off the showroon floor.

[Al]

Why wait - just go to Home Depot now and buy a riding lawnmower.

[ziggy]

My riding mower only seats one. If they can attach a blade to the bottom of this I'd buy one.

[JM]

they are nice little cars...to bad i cant fit in them...

[tall bloke]

JM:

You don't fit in a Smart? You must be a freak. I am 6'7" and weigh 250 pounds and have no problems fitting in a Smart...

Did you actually try or is it just prejudice?

[Mark]

BRING THE SMART FOR 4 to the U.S. IT ACTUALLY FITS 4 PEOPLE COMFORTABLY, IS BUILT BEAUTIFULLY, AND BEATS A MINI ANY DAY!!!!

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

I like the For Two. I think Smart made a mistake though. They should have brought the ForFour over as thier first entry into the American market. let's face it.... How many 2 seter vehicles sell in America as compared to 4 or more seaters? Sure.. Was the Big 3 behind this decision? they seem to be missing more than hitting here lately. Where are the market researchers?

[Graham.]

Troy in Ft Walton Beach, and all the others who didn't read what Mart posted (and didn't do their own research): the Smart ForFour is not manufactured any more!

[Daz]

Troy, do u really think this car would sell in FWB??? Or P'cola? LMAO Only if they made a redneck version! hehe

[JM]

tall bloke:

I have sat in one before, and it may just be my tastes, but I like to have a bit more room to move around in a car than was allowed in the ForTwo. It was in Europe in the 1st generation (there doesnt seem to be many dimensional changes), but I definitley will check out the 2nd generation.

[Lopez]

I agree with the comment that they will have a lot of sales the first months and then they will not sell anymore.

Good second car for SUV owners, though.

I lived in Europe when they started and this cars has been the biggest fiasco since the Edsel. Even Swatch pulled out of the business.
Coming to the USA is probably the last hope for this adventure.

[Troy in Ft Walton Beach]

Graham,

Research WAS made... That's why I said Smart made a mistake by not bringing the 4/4 stateside. A Big 3 type error IMO.

DAZ,

I'm sure someone will "Accessorize" it to fit the local area. Will a gunrack, foglights, 4 x 4 tires, and Camo paint scheme fit on this car? LOL!!!

[tall bloke]

JM:

Fair enough. We usually do not use my GFs Smart Roadster if we need to go further then 2 hours driving so I understand where you are coming from. Parking here in London is so much better with a Smart though... I feel for anybody driving an SUV / MPV / full size car in London :)

[DaveInTexas]

Lopez,

For such a fiasco, they sure have sold a bunch of them. 780,000 at last count.

I test drove one a few weeks back and thought the ride comfort was about as good as my Miata. There is a lot more body roll, but with the gas prices so high, I can see SmartUSA selling all they can get for the next two or three years. I hope they bring over the Brabus CDI version.

[Mart]

I think even if they still manufactured the ForFour, it would have been a mistake to introduce it first to the USA.

The ForFOur doesn't really offer anything new to the market, doesn't create any buzz and is essentially a very ordinary supermini with slightly oddball styling.

In terms of launching a brand into the USA, the last thing you want is for your initial product to not really offer anything new to the scene, especially as the car would probably be comparitively expensive in it's segment.

The ForTwo may have limited appeal to most buyers, but in metro markets I can certainly see where it may come in useful.

The key thing of course, is that the ForTwo is creating a buzz - here in Chicago I have seen one or two of the first generation around, and EVERYBODY stops and looks. You cannot buy exposure like that.

So even if the long term aim (if the US launch is successful) is to expand the range, they could do no better than to launch the ForTwo here first. Afterall, THAT is what the Smart brand has always been built on - the rest of the range were just an offshoot to try and sell far less innovative products on the positive image of the original...

[M3]

I think I'll get rid of the compact spare tire and jack in the trunk of my Grand Marquis and put one of these in there instead. Why change a spare tire when I can use a spare CAR? Just kidding. I'd be seriously tempted but for two issues: Gimme a regular stick shift and lower the price several grand.

[Pel]

750k sold according to wikipedia, not bad considering that it has been 10 YEARS in the market.
The company has suffered such heavy losses that this is probably the last shot of the car, the American market.

The big problem has been told in other comments, lots of sales the first year but once the fad is over, this company will struggle again.

[Brian]

Great idea for a second car for in town use. The "scooter" of cars. I drove one of the Zap imports at a Colorado dealer and can't wait to get one for trips around my downtown loft.

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