Munchkin-Sized “Smart Cars” to Hit U.S. Cities; Will They Work in the West?

By Kate Downen, 6-29-06

The Smart Car, a tiny little munchkin that's been cruising the streets of Europe since 1998, is coming to America. German-American carmaker DaimlerChrysler will introduce the Smart Car to the American market in 2008 in the hopes that soaring gas prices, waning interest in SUVs and concerns about global warming will jumpstart its popularity here.

The Smart Car is a bug-like two-seater that's only nine feet long from bumper to bumper. It has become trendy in big European cities for its ability to squeeze into parking spaces and navigate the narrow, winding streets.

Reports vary on Smart's gas mileage, especially when the car is converted to fit U.S. automobile standards, but NPR tells us that Smart Cars get average 40 miles per gallon, and will get up to 69 miles per gallon on the highway. They will reportedly cost around $15,000.

But how will Smart fare in the U.S., where economical is only just becoming hip? In New York, Boston, Seattle, L.A., Florida and Puerto Rico, where DaimlerChrysler will introduce the tiny vehicle, I'm betting Smart will take off. But how about over here in the West, the land of the 4-wheel drive and monster truck? Will we ever see Smart? Will something like Smart fit the lifestyle of the mountain road driver? The winter weather driver?

To seemingly tackle that issue and ease U.S. buyers into the Smart concept, a different company, Smart USA, will introduce a Smart SUV, which will be available in 2006. The first press release touts not the mileage but that it's "loaded with adrenaline — both off road as well as on."

Ahhh, oui...we meathead Americans, who only respond to words like "loaded" and "adrenaline." Or could we be moving in a different direction? I like to think we're becoming more environmentally and economically conscious, despite naked lady mud flaps adorning our engine-revving Dodge Rams.

I even saw a Prius yesterday on the highway.


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