Smart Dealerships closing

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Permalink Reply by Marc Roubik on January 24, 2010 at 6:19pm

I agree 100%. There are many inexpensive ways to advertise in America. Seems that Smart doesn't care much.

I don't own a Smart Car (yet) but if I were SmartUSA, I would step it up a little. 'Fun to Drive' 'Cheap to Drive, cheap to Park' some sort of Ad Campaign is better than nothing. Jeep has done well with a loyal following, VW crated a cult following with the bug back in the 60's. Smart needs to get going.

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Permalink Reply by TnPD on January 25, 2010 at 7:36pm

My wife and I have the same ENORMOUS concern, and over the past weeks have used this form, and Smartuasinsider.com to express our concern.

I have been able to find this:

Posted by Jill Lajdziak (the new SMART President)
http://www.smartusainsider.com/profiles/blogs/dear-smart-enthusiast...
as a blog regarding SMART.

Jill!, we all eagerly await your assistance to address our concerns!
Please keep in touch (Weekly would be good, but more often would even better)

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Permalink Reply by Robert Riley 1 day ago

Why does it say PAGE NOT FOUND when I click on that link?

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Permalink Reply by George on February 4, 2010 at 10:28pm

Very good write up. I agree, it's time to do a major advertising program or just go ahead and throw in the towel. As far as vanity plates go, I have "BRABUS 1" on my black coupe. I chose this since we are driving the first generation sold in the US.

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Permalink Reply by MikeB on February 3, 2010 at 7:04pm

I, too am concerned about the brand's continuing viability - and after reading RandyH's reply, makes me think that by purchasing my 2009 Passion coupe used from the original owner, I could have done better price-wise to have gone to the local dealer - and I would have been supporting the cause more directly. Well, you know what they say about hindsight. Anyway, I love the car, and just hope that we'll continue to have dealers for service (and eventually some independent garages, too, in the SF Bay Area).

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Permalink Reply by Julie O. on February 4, 2010 at 9:02pm

AND HERE IT IS:

"Sales of the Smart Fortwo Plummet" (link)

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Permalink Reply by MikeB on February 5, 2010 at 3:46am

I just finished reading the linked article and wading through the comments. I even signed up so that I could add to the few friendly comments for the ForTwo. After reading all the negative comments, so many of them by people who just seem to be eager to bash something, I decided to take some time out so as to avoid responding in too shrill a manner. Clearly, most have not even sat in or driven a Smart. I agree that the dealers could do a better job of selling them by explaining clearly how to use the paddle shifters for smoother shifting before and during test drives. As we all agree, corporate should do some MARKETING instead of relying upon their website and very spotty dealer "goodwill". I love my car just the way it is - it's just a different sort of car, and it would be great if there was an effective way to make the public aware that it is a great little car. I think it's fun to drive, love the leather, the heated seats, in dash Navigation and Bluetooth - and it reminds me of happy times spent in Europe. The "TV Links" on the Smart website with commercials for the old 450 that were made for other countries prove that good ad work can be done. How about updating them or using something similar to the clever ads that VW used in print in the early 1960's?

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Permalink Reply by Julie O. on February 5, 2010 at 1:31pm

A very wise ad-guy once said "If you don't identify your brand, others will do it for you."

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Permalink Reply by Julie O. on February 7, 2010 at 4:13am

Here's my idea of a Smart ad: (all of these would be accompanied by appropriate photos and moving images of the car, including slow-mo crash tests)

~
"Let's talk about parking. The Smart car comfortably fits into a parking spot that every other car in America would have to pass up. (show Mini Cooper trying to fit and then leaving, then the Smart pulling into the spot) That's pretty Smart.

How about gas mileage? EPA ratings put the Smart Passion Coupe at 33mpg city, 41 highway. But many real-world Smart drivers are reporting mileage up to 15-20% higher. (show Smart car on lonely highway passing gas station without stopping) That's really Smart.

The Smart is friendly, too. People friendly... I mean, look at it. You can't help but smile. (show 'face shot' of Smart's front grill) But it's environmentally friendly too. For example, only water-soluble paints are used in Smart's production. The body panels with molded-in color are fully recyclable. So long after your Smart is retired from active duty, it's still useful (show new plastic bottles on an assembly line) . That's Earth Smart.

And Smarts are safe; (all through this segment, show footage of driving tests and crash tests, as well as the 'naked' Smart with Tridion shell exposed) With anti-lock braking and automatic cornering brake control systems to keep stopping under control. Acceleration Skid Control (ASC) and Engine Torque Control (ETC) which are designed to help the Smart ForTwo move forward on slippery surfaces. All Smart ForTwos are also equipped with a standard package of passive safety features, like full driver and passenger front airbags and side airbags for head and thorax protection. The steering column will collapse in the event of a serious front-end collision. But Smart's core design philosophy is focused on something called the Tridion Safety Cell. Much like a nut is protected by its hard outside shell, the Smart ForTwo's occupants are protected by a steel housing that combines longitudinal and transverse members that displace impact forces over a large area of the car. So your Smart keeps you safe, even when the other drivers out there aren't.

Smarts are comfortable, too. With plenty of headroom and legroom, you'll never feel cramped or packed in. (show obviously very tall man getting in car and looking pleasantly surprised) Really. But then you'll have to come in and try one to feel it for yourself.

And -- the Smart is affordable. The Smart ForTwo pure coupe starts at about $11,990. (show father with teenage son looking at sticker and smiling) The sporty Passion at about $13,990. That's money Smart.

So be Smart. Come and take a test drive and find out about getting Smart. Because tomorrow morning when you and your briefcase are on your way to work, ask yourself this: What do you really need those other seven seats for, anyway?" (show single businessman with briefcase getting into a ginormous SUV, watching a Smart drive by.

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Permalink Reply by Tony on February 27, 2010 at 7:37pm

.

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Permalink Reply by Tony on February 27, 2010 at 7:37pm

Randy AND Julie, I've seen both of you go back and forth on topic and ideas. My curiosity is piqued. Have either of you by chance taken pen to paper and written an actual letter to the executives at Smart or their parent company, Mercedes? Maybe splurge send copies of the same to both... Addressed to their Boards of Directors, by certified mail. Julie, print the string of postings from here and included them. Ask your questions directly to those who might best be able to answer you. The last I checked which as just after I first read this blog, writing specifically to the company issuing my extended warranty, who would fix my car if the dealer closed... basically the reply was that we'd cross that bridge when we get there. Maybe I am limping along on arrogant confidence that Mercedes has a significant investment in smart and wont let it die just that easy. They've invested in this car being available globally. I too would like to see the car continue and hope that the manufacturer and their parent company share my wishes. Seeing how nearly every auto manufacturer, including our own BIG THREE are on some sort of life support, it may be a real challenge to keep any dealership open unless banks start lending money again. I still think you should write the companies directly. Then you can post the responses you get from them for everyone to read.

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Permalink Reply by Tony on February 27, 2010 at 7:38pm

Randy AND Julie, I've seen both of you go back and forth on topic and ideas. My curiosity is piqued. Have either of you by chance taken pen to paper and written an actual letter to the executives at Smart or their parent company, Mercedes? Maybe splurge send copies of the same to both... Addressed to their Boards of Directors, by certified mail. Julie, print the string of postings from here and included them. Ask your questions directly to those who might best be able to answer you. The last I checked which as just after I first read this blog, writing specifically to the company issuing my extended warranty, who would fix my car if the dealer closed... basically the reply was that we'd cross that bridge when we get there. Maybe I am limping along on arrogant confidence that Mercedes has a significant investment in smart and wont let it die just that easy. They've invested in this car being available globally. I too would like to see the car continue and hope that the manufacturer and their parent company share my wishes. Seeing how nearly every auto manufacturer, including our own BIG THREE are on some sort of life support, it may be a real challenge to keep any dealership open unless banks start lending money again. I still think you should write the companies directly. Then you can post the responses you get from them for everyone to read.

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