Up until now, much of I’ve written about the smart fortwo has been relatively objective, due to the fact that I personally haven’t been in the market for one of the little models. Today that changes, however, as a family member is considering the purchase of a new fortwo, and it’s with rather mixed emotions that I write this article.
A few days ago at the start of the Detroit Auto Show, Daimler announced that at the end of 2009 the company will begin production of an electric smart fortwo, and they are “exploring” opportunities for the United States market. They then took the opportunity to detail at length the various projects currently underway in which electric fortwo models are in operation, such as the previously detailed “e-mobility Berlin.” But going back to what I said originally, with a family member considering a new fortwo, American consumers have to ask: what the hell is taking so long?
Daimler is “exploring opportunities for the United States market?” What specifically does that mean? Does that mean we’ll get an electric smart fortwo by 2010, or does it mean we’ll get some scaled back project where 100 or so fortwo ed’s will be tested on U.S. soil? To be honest, I don’t really care what it means. What I do care about is why the current U.S. smart fortwo lineup consists of one engine variant that averages 40 mpg. An electric smart fortwo? How about a diesel smart fortwo that averages 60-70 mpg. That’s what we really want. And yet, a single smart fortwo in the U.S. is what exists, while the Toyota Prius – a model that’s both larger and more practical – outperforms the smart by roughly 10 mpg.
Do I want an elecric fortwo in the United States? Absolutely. But Daimler, quit stringing us along offering us small glimpses of what the future may hold; bring a diesel smart to the U.S. in the interim; and please, give us some incentive not to buy a Prius, because right now, you’re not doing so great.
But enough of my views on the subject. To read more of Daimler’s plans for the electric smart fortwo, keep reading for the official press release.
