The Smart Fortwo is buzzing these days with high marks. Distributed by Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz brand, this just-shy-of-a-9-foot long car not only gets 33 mpg/city and 41mpg/highway, it has just received a "Good" in front and side impact safety ratings within its weight/size class from the Institute for Highway Safety <www.iihs.org>. The 1,800 pound vehicle comes equipped with four (4) standard airbags, and electronic stability control which is designed to stop the vehicles from swerving off road.
Smart already has 30,000 reservations/sales - for what is - the smallest car in America. Customers simply put down a mere $99 to reserve their vehicles. Built in France, this car has been marketed in Europe for years (just shy of 1, 000,000 cars sold) there, and will retail here stateside for between $12 - $17,000. <http://www.smartusa.com/smart-car-fortwo.aspx>
With motorist now paying $3.79 - $4.05 per gallon, look for the Smart car to make big inroads in 2008 and then some. It's groove-factor and limited-availability marketing philosophy, will make this a 'must have'.
