Do you think these will catch on in America?

[Hardbopjazz]

How safe can something this small be while driving? If you get hot by one large SUV, you might as well be buried in it. I've seen them while in Europe this past summer and wonder are they very popular in Europe?

Brandnew two-seated cars 'Smart' made by Mercedes and Swatch are parked in the car factory of Sarreguemines, region of Lothringen, France. They might measure a mere 2.5 meters (eight feet) in length and only be capable of carrying two passengers, but tiny Smart cars are aiming to make it big in the United States, where hulking gas-guzzlers have long been the kings of the road.(AFP/File/Werner Baum )

[dprfish]

Here in Toronto, I see at least 10-15 of these every day.

[Hardbopjazz]

I wonder what the gas mileage is for these?

[Aggie87]

I saw them all over the city every day when I lived in Stuttgart. They are good commuter cars in that type of environment.

As far as mileage goes:

The Smart ForTwo's big selling point is going to be fuel economy. For the current version, the company estimates a combined city/highway fuel mileage of about 40 miles per gallon, according to DaimlerChrysler. (The 60 mpg figure sometimes reported is for the diesel-engine version.)

These aren't hybrids, either.

I wouldn't feel comfortable at all travelling on interstates in something like this, but for city driving (without the need to haul things, other than yourself), they make some sense.

[T.D.]

Do these cars meet USA safety standards? If so, they might sell in some quantity to city dwellers. Tough to imagine them catching on in a big way, though.

[brownie]

The Smarts are pretty visible on the streets of Paris. Rather convenient small cars. However they rarely show up on roads.

Not sure they are very good value for the money...

[sidewinder]

I've seen one or two of these in the car park at work. Wouldn't be seen dead in one ! :rsmile:

[rostasi]

I've seen people "parallel park" them with the rear of the car to the curb.

[Daniel A]

In the Euro NCAP crash tests the Smart Car outperformed several other vehicels in the supermini category, for example Chevrolet Kalos and Matiz.

[alocispepraluger102]

they are certainly more sensible than 'ego' cars.

i am under the false impression that vehicles are for utility?

[Rooster_Ties]

When the all-electric version of the Smart car comes out, I will be incredibly tempted.

I think I've read it'll be out in the U.S. by 2009 or so.

[Aggie87]

they are certainly more sensible than 'ego' cars.

i am under the false impression that vehicles are for utility?

They're only sensible for a very specific niche or sub-market, IMO.

And I don't think they could be considered a utility vehicle in any way. There is no ability to transport anything in there, unless it can fit on the passenger seat while you drive.

edit - maybe I don't understand your question. Is it for Smart cars, or vehicles in general?

Edited November 15, 2007 by Aggie87

[Jim Alfredson]

I saw one recently, but I don't recall where I was. I want to say Pentwater (on the west side of Michigan).

[BruceH]

I would love to try out one of those babies.

[couw]

just because this thread is about a car and your avatar shows some more and because I was wondering why it took so long for the thread to load:

isn't 3.8MB a bit much for an avatar?

Edited November 15, 2007 by couw

[rockefeller center]

just because this thread is about a car and your avatar shows some more and because I was wondering why it took so long for the thread to load:

isn't 3.8MB a bit much for an avatar?

http://www.organissimo.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=2256

[Claude]

How safe can something this small be while driving? If you get hot by one large SUV, you might as well be buried in it.

Safer than a chinese SUV

Chinese 4x4 gets zero in safety test

Edited November 15, 2007 by Claude

[Rooster_Ties]

just because this thread is about a car and your avatar shows some more and because I was wondering why it took so long for the thread to load:

isn't 3.8MB a bit much for an avatar?

Geez, I had no idea it was 3.8MB!!! (I didn't know the board would allow you to link to anything that big.)

Edit: It be changed!!!

Edited November 15, 2007 by Rooster_Ties