U.S. distributor for Smart boosts 2008 sales forecast

Posted Thu Jul 31 2008 12:14 PM by Ralph Hanson

Soaring demand for compact and fuel-efficient vehicles in the U.S. has seen sales of the diminutive Smart ForTwo outstrip expectations, causing its distributor, Penske Automotive Group, to increase forecasts for 2008 sales. Original estimates for the ForTwo were pegged at just 20,000 units for the year when the car went on sale back in January. However, Penske has now revised that figure to between 24,000 and 27,500.

Penske said surging gasoline prices had helped boost demand for the small, fuel-efficient car, reports the Associated Press. Currently, the only factor limiting the sales is supply. According to Penske, if Daimler could deliver more vehicles to the U.S. sales could reach between 30,000 and 32,000 units as early as next year.

Before its launch there were doubts that a car measuring in at just 8.8 feet in length and a little over 5 five in width and height would be able to sell in a market dominated by heavy SUVs and pickups, but the sales have shown that rising fuel prices have dramatically changed the face of the American market.

Reader Comments

Thu Jul 31 2008 2:58 PM
Gus says

See this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pVF1Wr7GLQ

And then this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow9jYB1i-S4

Yeah, looks like a great idea to me.
This is nothing but a safe motorcycle, but it's being marketed as a safe car. I'll bet they don't show that crash test at the dealerships...
Thu Jul 31 2008 6:32 PM
HECTOR says

I want to know how much this thing costs here in the US (they're quite expensive in Europe) so that I can laugh even more at the people that buy them.
Thu Jul 31 2008 7:11 PM
big L says

Stoy on radio this weekend is that the Smart is too light to trigger the sensor in the Left turb Lane
Thu Jul 31 2008 7:38 PM
damian says

This guy at work just got one of these. He paid about $21k for it, ripoff if you ask me. It does get good MPG, but its the same as a Honda Civic. He's scared to go on the highway with it...
Thu Jul 31 2008 9:44 PM
Winston says

This vehicle, SMART is revolutionary, most people in the US do not have any idea, other than continue making negative remarks about a motor car that will exceed all expectations like another called the VW bug born over seven decades ago.
Fri Aug 1 2008 5:20 AM
HECTOR says

$21K ?!?!?! LMAO!
Fri Aug 1 2008 2:09 PM
Gus says

Yeah, you see them a lot more here, mostly wealthy people trying to make an impression.

And as far as comparing it with the beetle, I don't think so. The Smart is not a car built cheaply for everyman, this is a eco-status symbol marketed to people with more money than brains.
But you can make one comparison, the original Beetle is one of the least safe cars on the road as well...

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