smart car coming to our market

[livincountry]

I heard that this car is making its way to our market in the near future. It's in the European market, German made and it's very unique. Penske is the driving force behind 50 dealerships. I really like the idea. Not a hybrid or fuel cell but 60-70 mpg will get some interest.

 

[IH3444]

Mercedes Benz has been steady losing money on this venture. It is a very expensive auto when compared to a more reasonable Prius, or Volkswagen TDI. Plus it's so tiny..

 

[jwstewar]

The company where I work (or where I put my time in ) uses one as a security vehicle. It allows the security guards to buzz around on the local streets so they can get behind the parking garage and everything. They were using a Gator. Not sure if someone told them to stop or if just wanted something to get the guards out of the weather. I know nothing about it other than seeing it every now and then. It does have a license plate on the rear though.

 

[AndyM]

I would rather see Volkswagen import their current Fox model to the U.S.
It has a three cylinder TDI that gets over 60 mpg...

 

[mathey]

there's a dealer here in MD that sells them now...they are $30k

 

[scott_vt]

I would rather see Volkswagen import their current Fox model to the U.S.
It has a three cylinder TDI that gets over 60 mpg...

Mornin Andy,
Im with you ! I wouldnt want to get hit by a Mack truck in either of those vehicles but the VW does look a bit more substantial !

 

[1bush2hog]

Makes my back hurt just thinking about having to get in and out of it. I'm not sure I would even fit in it anyway

 

[SkyPup]

If your 7 foot tall or taller, the best car to have is the Volkswagen TDI New Beetle, it has the tallest headroom of any passenger car and still gets 45mpg+.

The VW Lupo gets 80mpg in Europe only.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

No question that diesel technology is going to be seen in the very near future as one of the most fuel efficient and affordable options in cars that are also of reasonable size. I looked at some of the hybrids as sales cars for my company. The costs were NOT competitive to just burning gas, paybacks were over 100,000 miles based on gas at $3 per gallon.

I'm not thrilled with the Smart Car. VW TDI is awesome.

 

[Egon]

They have been in dealerships in Canada for at least four years now. There is lots of driver/passenger room. Do a search on you tube and you should be able to find a crash test.

Up here I think they are about $26K Candian.