Report: Smart cars coming to U.S. (CNNMoney.com) {46/70 mpg subcompact}

[eppur_se_muova]

DaimlerChrysler expected to announce plans Tuesday to bring fuel-efficient sub-compact to U.S. market.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006; Posted: 1:46 p.m. EDT (17:46 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- DaimlerChrysler is set to bring the fuel-efficient subcompact Smart car brand to the United States in 2007, according to a published report.

The Detroit News, citing a source familiar with company plans, reported the decision will be announced Tuesday. But a spokeswoman for the Smart brand declined to comment on the report.

"We have not made any decision on a U.S. launch," said Bettina Singhartinger. "You can expect something this week. Until then we do not comment on speculation."

DaimlerChrysler has never made money on the Smart brand, which has been sold in Europe since 1998. The brand is part of DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz unit.

The two-seater egg-shaped cars get 46.3 miles per gallon in the city to 70.6 mpg on the highway, according to some estimates, although Singhartinger points out that if the brand is brought to the United States, it will be the next generation of the vehicle which is due to be rolled out in Europe in early 2007.


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more: http://www.cnn.com/2006/AUTOS/06/26/smart/index.html

[zalinda]

1. Yeaaaaaa!

I've wanted one since I first saw one in insurance commercial.

zalinda

[Davis_X_Machina]

2. Saw one a month ago on the Maine Turnpike n/t

[kestrel91316]

3. I'd be real nervous on a CA freeway at 65 in one of those. Otherwise

it's a GREAT idea. Fine for commuting locally.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. Apparently it's gotten good safety ratings

better than a lot of cars.

There's a good thread in GD...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2360249#2360672

[Bamboo]

4. Boss Hog foiled again.

Expect lots of push back against this car.It is good enough for those chocolate makers in old Europe but in America life is not negotiable.It is meterosexual so bring your man purse.Trent Lott is so scared he called it the purple people eater in the video below.

http://pbs-newshour.virage.com/cgi-bin/visearch?user=pbs-newshour&template=play56asf.html&query=%2A&squery=%2BClipID%3A2+%2BVideoAsset%3Apbsnh031302&inputField=%20&ccstart=1362320&ccend=1648648&videoID=pbsnh031302

[NNadir]

6. That's an amazing clip of a Senate debate.

I think everyone's kind of clueless there.