The Smart car on Tuesday visited the city built on massive motoring muscle as part of a 50-city road show designed to demonstrate why backers say the tiny two-seater is ”the right car at the right time” for the United States.
The summer road show precedes the US launch of the Smart fortwo early next year. The Smart, part of DaimlerChrysler AG’s Mercedes Car Group, is coming to the US in a general distributor agreement with United Auto Group, led by former auto racer and businessman Roger Penske.
High gas prices could prove to be a selling point in a country never terribly enamoured of minicars, in part due to safety concerns. But it also comes at a time when the car has stumbled globally: sales of the Smart fortwo fell 20,9% in June, with 9 900 sold, compared with 12 600 a year earlier. For the first six months, sales were down 32,2% to 42 000.
The target market is not a certain age or income level, but rather one of attitude and lifestyle, said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA.
”In America, we love our cars … but we love cars that are fun to drive,” he said.
Schembri said he expects to have between 40 and 60 dealerships open by January 1. Smart USA is working to finalise warranty details and financial partners, he said. — Sapa-AP