Posted by klimt on August 06, 2002 at 16:17:52:
In Reply to: Re: Smart by Mercedes and Swatch in the USA posted by Jenny on April 05, 2002 at 22:45:50:
: Hi Waldo, I spotted a 'Smart' car (Silver colour with the sticker "Smartontheroad.com" at the back of the car. I spotted it first when my hubby was ready to drive the car from the parking building in downtown San Francisco (Near Grant). The design and the size amazed abd suprised me as it passed in front of us and parked where we parked earlier. I asked my husband to stop the our car engine and asked this guy (who owns the Smart car) where did he buy this car. He looked like a German. (This happened on the April 3 2002 night) He told us he brought it from Europh and it cost about US$15,000. He went on and described the special features such as air bag. We asked a couple more of question, and the last question was about the availability of this car in U.S Market. He said the U.S car market has been trying to bring in this car in U.S. market. This car is only about 4 years old, and it may probably be available in U.S market for another 1 or 2 years.
: That is how much we learnt. He was ready to have dinner and we didn't ask more but the thought of having this car is pretty strong on my mind.
: Jenny
I wrote to Swatch and was told that they do not have immediate plans to bring the Smart to the U.S. market, implying that there was much testing and market research to do. They also warned about bringing in the car and thinking that one could have the car serviced at a Mercedes dealer. Only Swatch dealers fix the cars in Europa, and a Mercedes dealer would not service the car here.