Aiming at U.S. buyers seeking non-gas guzzler, Smart car faces ...

The tiny two-seat Smart car is a common sight on the congested streets of European capitals, something DaimlerChrysler AG is eager to duplicate in cities like New York and Los Angeles when it begins selling the ...

[Clyde]

Save money on gas and DIE in a fenderbender.

[Jimmy d]

Too small for the traffic here. Not going to sell well at all.

[Jim]

Those will be OK in special areas, like around a beach, but I wouldn't drive them on the main roads with big trucks flying by. I would hate to see one of those in an accident.

[Miike]

I've seen crash test footage of Smartcar. 70 mph head on into a cement barrier. The frame is really strong. I'm sure its a whole lot safer than a motorcycle.

[Buy This]

I saw one of these Smart Cars crash into a raised curb while I was in Europe. Needless to say, it did not fare too well. The car went airborne almost instantly and suffered major damage. I like the idea of gas efficiency, but I just would not feel safe in this car. It's kind of like riding a motorcycle - I would do it if there were no giant cars on the road.

[Mike Honcho]

Give it 10 years, by then morons will realize they dont need the space of an SUV and hanging out at the gas station twice a week isnt really all that cool. Actually at an average of $3 a gallon all summer long, I say 5 years. Im giving some people way too much credit...

[Cmon]

these cars have been out for 3 years in Canada. What's so different at 50-60mph between a smart car or a Suzuki Swift,Kia,Hyundai or any compact for that matter.

This isn't news...why do they make such a big deal about them finally landing here. Are the semi's smaller in Canada? Where's the barrage of Smart car death repirts from Canada or Europe.

JOKE!

[about time]

Dont be negative about this, there is semi's in Europe too, and we need some cars like this, 4 of these Smarts will travel as far as one SUV on the same amount of gas, stop yelling about high gas prices, gas in Europe starts at $6/gallon, that is the reason people buy these SMART cars!!!

[John]

Three chrome handles on each side would be a nice touch. Save on the cost of a coffin.

[Common Sense]

There comes a point where you are trading fuel economy for you own safety and this is it. Look at this little
s---t box. If a motor cycle hits this broadside at high speed you are dead.
Too small for battle wit htrucks and suvs in America. Keep them in Italy etc....

[Common Sense]

about time wrote:

Dont be negative about this, there is semi's in Europe too, and we need some cars like this, 4 of these Smarts will travel as far as one SUV on the same amount of gas, stop yelling about high gas prices, gas in Europe starts at $6/gallon, that is the reason people buy these SMART cars!!!

You drive this. I am staying in my gas guzzling 5500 ld mercedes. i like staying alive. Will cut back somewhere else if need be. cant ride in a toy car.

[Mangler]

Actually, if you got clipped by a hummer, you'd just be tossed aside like a fat pedestrian. It's those nasty little 5 or more car crunches from everybody riding tailpipe everywhere at high speeds that would crunch it like a pringle.

[Bud]

I have a novel idea, maybe people should learn to drive. Having a car the size of a motorcycle is inevitable. Expecting it to fare any different in an accident is unfair. Motorcyclists learn defensive driving, some even do it. Traveling at speed on a rainy day in one of these cars is probably not advisable. Instead of driving long distances, load the cars on a train or car carrier and use it as a commuter. Better yet, have inexpensive rental fleets or time shares in major cities. If the cars are cheap enough, we can get creative about transportation. SUV's are going away. Trucks need to be kept away from cars. The car/truck mix is getting worse and needs to be addressed.

[Bud]

Mangler wrote:

Actually, if you got clipped by a hummer, you'd just be tossed aside like a fat pedestrian. It's those nasty little 5 or more car crunches from everybody riding tailpipe everywhere at high speeds that would crunch it like a pringle.

Exactly. Speeds would need to decrease, like riding a scooter. Speeds need to decrease anyway because folks refuse to drive safely.

[Bud]

We have the GPS technology and mapping capabilities to make sure speed limits are observed by restricting a car's ability to exceed the local speed limit. At the very least, kids should have that restriction for several years.

[Chris Lipscomb]

Speaking a a Smart car owner in the UK and a former SUV driver I understand the concerns raised about the Smart car but the car is actually very strong. I hit a deer at 3am on a country road and only damaged the plastic panels of the car. The safety cell which represents the chassis was fine. Given that 750,000 of these have been sole in Europe I have not read any adverse stories about its crash worthiness. When you drive the car it also feels like you are driving in a big car. Hard to explain unless you have driven one. I have seen numerous crash videos of the Smart and in all cases the car performed no worse than any other small car and probably is safer because of the huge investment Mercedes have made in the model to give customers reassurance that it is safe.

[Franco]

In a crash. any car can be a hazard.
Just look at motor scooters and motorcycles.
Big auto is afraid of change for the better. Thats why japanese cars sell so well.

[Old School]

I'm buying one.

[gear head]

I'm buying one too. It just makes sense to do so. If your that bad a driver that your "afraid" to be in it then don't buy it. You can keep the arabs rich with your money....not mine.

[Mangler]

republicans would never allow that kind of government intrusion into their perceived freedoms. Despite the fact that driving is a privilege and not a right.

Bud wrote:

We have the GPS technology and mapping capabilities to make sure speed limits are observed by restricting a car's ability to exceed the local speed limit. At the very least, kids should have that restriction for several years.