U.S. Firm Asks for Smart Cars, Pronto!

[Dover]

AFP


May 25, 2005— A U.S. firm that has licensed the technology used to produced the super-compact Smart Car said Tuesday it had received more than $1 billion worth of orders for the quirky mini-car.

California-based Zero Air Pollution (ZAP) said orders were flooding in as the peculiarly European car made by DaimlerChrysler made its entrance onto the American market, long accustomed to large vehicles but now smarting from the fast-rising price of gas.

The firm said it had placed an order for $1 billion worth of the economical Smart Cars with the DaimlerChrysler unit smart GmbH and was waiting to see if the German-based firm will be able to fulfill the order. ..cont'd

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/afp/20050523/smartcars.html

[LosinIt]

1. I saw one on the road in Rochester, NY

a few weeks back. It was adorable, but wouldn't want to be in a major crash in one. Does anyone know the MPG rating?

[Carolab]

2. 40 MPG

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/08/03/60minutes/rooney/main633799.shtml

[RobertSeattle]

3. Looks like 60 mpg

http://www.zapworld.com/cars/smart_moreInfo.asp

"Introducing SMART, the car that redefines mobility. ZAP is proud to soon offer one of the most fuel-efficient, gas-powered cars on the planet. This new 60 Mile Per Gallon City Coupe has been designed as the car of the future with many "smart" features that address today's crowded urban traffic and rising energy prices. Don't be fooled by its charming, futuristic look, the SMART will surprise you with its handling, its stylish, roomy interior for 2 passengers, and its innovative design. After taking Europe by storm, ZAP is bringing the Americanized version that is a U.S. Compliant direct import automobile"

[Carolab]

5. Good old Andy Rooney. Had his facts wrong, again, I guess. n/t

[bunkerbuster1]

21. The EPA figures have been batted around, actually...

Here's a March 2 story...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-zap2mar02,1,1061134.story

Smart Car Takes Hit as 60-MPG Claim Runs Up Against EPA Roadblock
Importer Zap plans to challenge the agency's 37-mpg estimate for the Daimler-built vehicle.

By John O'Dell, Times Staff Writer

Zap made a big publicity splash with its plans to sell the tiny two-seat coupe, promoting it as the most efficient gasoline-powered vehicle ever at 60 miles to the gallon and lining up thousands of orders.

But before the French-made ultra-mini could even think about hitting U.S. roads, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered the Santa Rosa, Calif., auto importer to scale back its fuel-efficiency claims.

The federal agency's fuel economy estimate for the Smart car isn't 60 miles per gallon — it's 37, sort of like a Honda Civic.

Steven Schneider, Zap's chief executive, said that the company's fuel trials showed the Smart delivering readings of 50 to 60 mpg and that he intended to ask the EPA for a retest. Meanwhile, Zap has pulled the 60-mpg boast from its website.

[snooper2]

39. He also said it has 75 HP

but ZAP states : 60 hp, 3-cylinder, rear-mounted turbo engine

:eyes:

[physioex]

4. Not a big fan of these cars.....

These cars are great in the in Metro areas when you drive around the city. But for driving on highways, I just don't think these cars have sufficient power or safety. You are better of driving a Civic or a Corolla. And really the problem in this country from folks who drive these huge SUVs to the grocery store and work....

The production of this car does not address the SUV issue....

[mbperrin]

13. Of course, SUVs fail to address the 18-wheeler issue;

40,000-80,000 pound cargo load (depending on state) hurtling down the Interstate at 80+, and around town at 50+ in 35 mph zones....

Then there's trains.....

Major cause of all accidents: loose nut behind the wheel.

Otherwise, unless you're drivin' a train, you really don't care about safety, right?

[Zhade]

33. Hey, don't forget: airliners can crash into trains!

So the conductor may not be safe when that one drunk pilot falls asleep at the controls.

Oh, and then, of course, the Titanic could rise from the depths and hit the train/plane crash. Assuming the crash happened, like, on a really low bridge. Over a wide river. Or something.

:D

[physioex]

35. I fail to see your point.....

In my opinion we need a better rail system. This would help remove these 18 wheelers that have to make very long haul trips. A train system may not initially be practical for short haul runs or local runs.

Having said that, I don't see a problem with truckers and heavy vechicles of the sort. Yes they do guzzle lots of fuel however they are mostly for utlitarian purposes. And yes there are some very bad truck drivers. The problem I have is with the trophy wives that drive their SUVs to the mall so their kids can shop at Macys.

[Stella_Artois]

18. You are correct about their favourite environment

They are an urban vehicle. I've been in one when they first were built in 1999 and they are fine for driving around a city and into the suburbs. Not so fine for long multi hour journeys.

The ones in Europe have detachable panels so you can change the colour of the car in minutes. Try that with a SUV :)

[bunkerbuster1]

20. um, highways aren't more dangerous than city streets

you're more likely to be taken out by someone crossing into an opposing lane, or backing out a driveway, or any number of other screwups that happen on side streets and main roads vs. limited-access highways.

That said, of course a tiny car's passengers are going to be more vulnerable to injury or death in the event of an accident. But if the fuel-economy choice is between a tiny car and a motorcycle or motor schooter, the tiny car will still provide more protection.

It's a trade-off, one that some will find reasonable.

[physioex]

36. Never really considered a motorcycle to be a fuel economy choice...

I see most people ride them as a hobby. And as far as safety goes, you would definitely be on the bottom rung.

[Massacure]

44. Doesn't physics state that as speed double, energy quadruples?

[Spinzonner]

6. Not a car

it's a pregnant rollerskate

[zipplewrath]

22. Motorcycle with doors

I'm not sure what's so "smart" about them. They're a flashy "Panda". Ya might as well drive a Vespa.

[corker]

7. get use to them

this is the future, all over the world they drive small fuel efficient cars except here.

[Tesha]

17. These are just transitional.

In the Bushworld future, we'll be glad to have a bicycle to ride on.

Tesha

[truthisfreedom]

8. might be smarter if it had some sort of crash-avoidance system. it just

has that deathmobile look.

[deliusmax]

10. they are very safe..

It is a question of how you look at it. You could argue that it's the SUV they collide with that are unsafe.
Some cities in the Netherlands are considering banning SUVs because they cause so much damage to smaller vehicles and bicycles in an accident.
Anyway, the smart has all kinds of protection systems, airbags everywhere etcetera

[truthisfreedom]

11. well that's the thing. we have SUVs here everywhere. and the people

driving them are distracted by cellphones, dogs and screaming children. we need more technology for crash-avoidance. now.

[BiggJawn]

15. We have crash-avoidance technology now.

It's called staying home and hiding under your bed.

It's not the fault of the Smart that SUV cargoes have their heads up their asses.

I ride bicycles on public roads. You wanna talk about "risky"....The benefits outweigh the risks.

[DrDebug]

12. Welcome to the DU :)

:toast:

You are correct about that SUV statement. The safest cars in the world are Volvos. Yet a small group of Volvo drivers causes the most accidents percentage wise, because the driver feels secure and takes more risks and because of the security for the person inside it is the favorite car for reckless drivers.

(...)
Volvo Drivers. There's a well-known theory around these parts (also heard on PBS's Cartalk program) that bad drivers gravitate towards Volvos because of the extra safety the average Volvo gives such a driver (why not kill someone else when you drive badly -- much better than killing yourself...). So the term "Volvo Driver" has come to stand for a mixture of obliviousness, self-righteousness, smugness, and arrogance that seems to come naturally to these drivers.
(...)
http://www.caldrive.com/habits.html

[Triana]

14. I'm all for banning SUVs for the same reasons..

..the Netherlands are considering it. They're great for protecting the morons who drive them - but they're doubly dangerous for everyone else.

[newyawker99]

30. Hi deliusmax!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Solly Mack]

9. I love watching them zip along the autobahn

I think they're cute cars...though not as cute as the Mini

With gas starting at 1,12 euro a liter on the economy, small cars can be very smart. I pay about 1.17-1.22 (dollars) a liter on post.

[BiggJawn]

16. Wish the door was in the front...

That'd be cute...

[natrat]

19. tough call between that and a prius

the smart is so damn cute but the prius is a real car capable LA to vegas

[Javaman]

23. And with all that savings on gas...

you have to spend that extra dough somewhere! ;)

[GregW]

24. Saw a few in Munich a while ago ...

The thing that impressed me was that you can park perpendicular to the curb in one and still fit in the parking lane.

[Puzzler]

26. quite a few in Canada right now

We've had them in Canada for over a year. I'm amazed that they didn't market them in the US at the same time... or, come to think of it, maybe I'm not so amazed.

Anyway, they seem to have become a bit of a status-symbol here (if you can believe it). But even if some people are buying them for the "wrong" reasons, at least they are "accidentally" buying a car that's good for the planet, instead of the usual SUV.

-P

[BiggJawn]

25. I don't understand the objection to these cars...

"Pregnant Roller Skate"?
"Motorcycle with Doors"?

I thought progressives were above that "My vehicle is a reflection of my Sexual Prowess" crap the Sheeple believe in?

[MadHound]

31. Aah yes, the derision and insults I remember from the seventies

When the same terms were being hurled around about Datsun, Toyota, and Honda. And many people thought that those companies wouldn't make it in the American market:eyes:

Hmm, maybe it's time I bought some stock in either Chrysler or Zap.
Frankly, I think I want one of these little puppies. Probably not great for multi-hour trips, or hauling stuff, but fine for the daily commute.

[BiggJawn]

32. Would be perfect for the Daily Grind.

And remember the signs in the auto factory lots that said "Please take your foreign car and park in TOKYO!"

They took those down after they figured out that a Subaru had more right to park there than the Fords they were making parts for inside.

"Hey, Bro? don't they make your Fords in Canada and Mexico, and Hondas in Ohio?"

"Shhhhh! You trying to get killed or something?"

And don't forget, it was the M-B USA rep who was talking about these cars. A guy from the Daimler side of Daimler-Chrysler. The Chrysler Rep was probably going "Uh....Smart car? I dunno...Wanna see the new 24-cylinder 600-HP SUV we're bringing out? It gets 2 MPG..."

[alfredo]

34. Remember the bumpersticker that slammed BMW drivers?

I don't need a BMW
I have a big dick.

We need something similar for SUV drivers.

[JawJaw]

27. Babe Magnet ;)

They also do a roadster version



..Because conserving fuel is the most patriotic thing you can do.....

[DrDebug]

40. Wow. That's some cool car!

Hubba. That's not bad at all!

[mom cat]

42. I want one!

[meganmonkey]

28. I always have the urge to tip them over!!!

I was in Germany for much of 2000 and they were everywhere in the cities - I thought they were the coolest thing, but there was something about the shape and everytime we were walking around at night (i.e. after hours of drinking) I had this ridiculous temptation to push them over. As if I could have...so that's what I always think when I see them :P

[happyslug]

29. Some other high Mileage Cars

Previous Thread on this same topic:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=115&topic_id=23242

Isetta:

http://www.cqql.net/bmw.htm

Europe after the 1956 oil Embargo had not yet fully recovered from WWII so mini-cars were in, large American Style cars were out. The Isetta was one of the small cars.

And the Mini-Car Museum for pictures of other mini-cars including the Velo and the Messerschmitt:
http://www.microcarmuseum.com/info.html

The index to the picture of Minicars in the Museuem:
http://www.microcarmuseum.com/tourindex.html

And the car with the best fuel economy ever (Very popular in France 1941-1944) the 1938 Velocar Type H:

[loudsue]

37. I want to see some REALLY COOL little cars coming out

And I want some laws that will protect bicyclists and little car drivers from gas-guzzling global take-over types.

This whole planet needs to re-think gas and driving, and start competing to see who can make the best car, cheapest price, cutest design, and least fuel consumed.

Some of the cars, presented on some of the links on this thread, are REALLY good-lookin'! I'd buy one right now, if the price was right.

:kick::kick::kick:

[snooper2]

38. I signed up for one via the website..

13.2 percent of people want the black/blue model..

over 14,000 people so far have signed up! :)

[wallwriter]

41. Everyone is stupid.

These are neat cars, but they've been in Europe since 1998, which is practically ancient history. Why are knuckleheads just figuring this out now? Also, they really are too slow for the US highway.

People say stupid things about safety. What about all those helmutless knuckleheads on their Harleys? Are they any more safe? I'd be perfectly happy to see Smart Cars here, but more US-appropriate designs would be better. What's wrong with the Honda Insight? Thise can get almost 60 mpg. Hell, I drove 55 mph in my old civic, and I got 44 mpg. We've spent too much time in this country fawning over SUVs. Those are much of the problem.

[BonjourUSA]

43. You're right. It's an ancient history for us

It's just a city-car. I often drove one and I find it very funny and very nervous. But I find it expensive too, for this kind of car and it's the reason why its success is not very great here (in France)