smart delivers 100,000th second-generation ForTwo
Filed under: SMART, Green Daily
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Thanks to a long and popular run in Europe and solid sales in the U.S., the Smart ForTwo is an international hit (soon, we'll be thanking Miley Cyrus for years for breaking out the young girl Smart market). Daimler is especially proud of the second-generation ForTwo, which has been on sale for about a year and is available in 37 countries. Daimler recently sold the 100,000 second-gen Smart ForTwo. A 36-year-old woman bought the car in Munich yesterday. So, Daimler, you've proven you can sell these small cars - even in a country where they might not be seen as manly enough - now make with the electric versions already.
Press Release:
smart Delivers 100,000th Unit All-new fortwo
Stuttgart, Apr 01, 2008
- Second generation is even more comfortable, more agile, safer, and more environmentally friendly than its predecessor
- Following its U.S. sales start in January, smart now available in 37 countries worldwide
- fortwo micro hybrid drive receives German Eco-Trend's environmental vehicle certificate
- smart fortwo voted Germany's most economical car by independent experts
Stuttgart – The smart fortwo continues its string of successes. Since the end of March 2007, the new model of the innovative two-seater has been purchased by a total of 100,000 customers, representing a sales increase of more than 80 percent. Yesterday afternoon, Ulrich Kowalewski, director of the Mercedes-Benz Center Munich handed over the 100,000th second-generation smart fortwo to a 36-year-old customer in the recently re-opened smart Center Munich. "The new fortwo is even more comfortable, more agile, safer, and more environmentally friendly than its successful predecessor," says Anders Sundt Jensen, who is responsible for brand management at smart. "The new fortwo is now offered in 37 countries, where enthusiastic customers are won over by the vehicle's lifestyle-oriented design, as well as its exceptional fuel economy and environmental compatibility."
The unique two-seater is most popular with customers in Italy and Germany, who account for two-thirds of all drivers of the new fortwo. Demand is particularly high for the premium equipment line "passion", which is chosen by two out of three buyers worldwide. Twenty percent of smart car drivers in Germany and Italy take to the road in a smart fortwo cdi - the world's CO2 champion. This fuel efficient diesel variant consumes only 3.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (NEDC) and features the world's lowest CO2 emissions - 88 grams per kilometer.
A micro hybrid drive (mhd) version of the two-seater was introduced last October. This new fuel efficient technology cuts consumption of the gasoline variant by about eight percent in the combined cycle and even by around 20 percent in city driving. The vehicle's start-stop function activates every time the car is stationary, which significantly reduces CO2 emissions. In recognition of these factors, the German Eco-Trend environmental research institute awarded its environmental certificate for cars to the smart fortwo mhd at the beginning of the year.
In February 2008, experts from the German automotive club ADAC and from various automotive magazines ranked the smart fortwo the most economical car on the German market, reaching this conclusion independently of one another. The experts at Autozeitung came to the conclusion that "the 61-hp basic gasoline-engine version costs only 24.5 Euro cents per kilometer to drive." In addition to evaluating the operating costs, the experts took into account fixed costs including insurance premiums, taxes, service center fees, and value depreciation over time.
The fortwo also came out on top in the list of the most economical cars evaluated by auto motor und sport magazine. According to the magazine's editors, the drivers of a fortwo cdi can travel 166 kilometers for just ten Euros - which no other car can match. The assessment of the smart fortwo as Germany's most economical car is also confirmed by the experts at ADAC, who calculated that driving the compact car costs only 24.6 Euro cents per kilometer, less than any other automobile in Germany.
[Source: Daimler]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-01-2008 @ 7:34PM
Kevin Nugent said...
I also agree . Lets roll out with the electric version with a 0-60 faster than the pruis (less tahn 8 secounds) and a 120 miles range , and what you have is a car that needs a 3 year reservation n to get your hands on one.
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4-02-2008 @ 12:45AM
mike said...
One reader has just posted 14 month wait for his US Smart. We may never get an Electric Smart at this rate. What's the wait times in Europe?
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4-02-2008 @ 7:47AM
Chris said...
Did you read Automobile's latest issue? They took a Smart into NYC... and it wasn't pretty. Basically its fine if the roads are smooth and DRY.
I did notice that 2/3rds of the sales are outside the US. The first generation version sucked so bad it almost killed the brand. Still waiting to actually drive one, I wonder if they will let me wear my motorcycle helmet.
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4-02-2008 @ 8:53AM
phil easler said...
Hey Daimler - I was on your $99 dollar waiting list, but took myself off because of no diesl or ev option. Send the car over as a EV or Diesel and sell more vehicles.
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4-02-2008 @ 9:06AM
Throwback said...
I wanted to like the fortwo but it drove terribly. The transmission is a poor choice for the US market. A CVT would be much smoother. I drove the car in manual mode and it is better than the full automatic mode, but it still shifts too slow. I think the EV would probably drive much better based on what I have read and seen. Since they have sold out the first years allotment there is no need for Smart to rush over a diesel or an EV.
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4-02-2008 @ 10:07AM
Whopper said...
Last Sunday (3/30/08) John McElroy had the president of SMART USA on Autoline Detroit. John discussed the car's transmission performance which the president (his name escapes me at this time) defended. People like it when they understand how to use it was his position. The president discussed the number of dealerships they had etc.
In his editorial section at the end of the show John wasn't complimentary. He said that Daimler had propped Smart up with $1B in cash infusions twice in the last three years. Although Penske is singing the praises of Smart, John's suggestion was to get it on a strong footing and then sell out within the next two years.
Chris, I actually saw a Smart on the Interstate on the way into work this morning - surprised the heck out of me. I was riding my Sportster and, looking at how cramped the driver looked, I think I had the better ride. Your comment about the motorcycle helmet is appropriate if you ask me.
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4-02-2008 @ 3:37PM
JP Hedin aka DrSmart said...
smart is like the publicity machine at ZAP. I'm surprised that they haven't come out with the Jump into Spring special edition. If you want to see slow sales look to Canada & Mexican sales the past few months to see what a dud this car is. Road & Track recorded the slowest slalom speed and lowest G rating of all cars tested. Just remember-A 4 STAR safety rating & no spare tire - very smart ideas. Wait until you drive it in a crosswind especially on ICE. I have a new market to suggest boosting sales-The "Smart" (?)Fleet TAXI Package for those who have no friends. Buckboard ride & Herky-Jerky transmission-what a concept. P.T. Barnum was quoted as saying "there's a sucker born every minute". Caveat Emptor
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4-02-2008 @ 8:03PM
psarhjinian said...
smart did fairly well in Canada, though not quite as well as in their initial year, and this was with the (anemic) diesel engine. I've driven both the CDI smart that Canada got as well as the new gas model with a conventional transmission and I have to say the new one is much, much better.
I'm surprised at the negative comments. I took one on the 401 (as nasty a highway as you'll get in North America) through Toronto and out to Ottawa and it did very well. It's not quick, but it's no slower than the cars I grew to know and love in the 80s.
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4-03-2008 @ 2:39PM
drivethruecp said...
I test drove one as well and was not only initially extremely disappointed with the fuel economy (which can be argued), but the transmission was absolutely terrible! Why no full manual option, which I personally drive now. Dealer said it had to do with the economy and all. EV and diesel, yes! One of the big reasons its such a big hit, in my opinion, is its a fashion statement. Your giving up your other seats (for some), acceleration, etc. for what? I do admit I like the appeal, but it can be just another person trying to be "green." And not that there is anything wrong with that as we all have to start somewhere. I was impressed with the 70mph crash test and the modified hayabusa ones.
But when everything boils down the mpg is pathetic for the size/weight compromises. Give us affordable electric, before someone else does!
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