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Why didn't dealers want to sell smart

19 messages,  Last post on Jan 05, 2009 at 5:34 PM

You are in the Smart Car Forum.

What is this discussion about? smart

Messages Page 3 of 3

#12 of 19 Concensus? by pf_flyer HOST

Nov 12, 2008 (6:41 pm)

So did the dealers want to sell the smart or not? The only place here that sold them hasn't had one for a couple of months. The initial push this past summer saw a handful on the local roads, but they've all but disappeared.

#13 of 19 Re: Concensus? [pf_flyer] by bumpy

Nov 13, 2008 (8:25 am)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 12, 2008 6:41 pm)
The ones who were committed to selling smart are still chugging along, working through the backlog. The wafflers who sold from the back lot of the Mercedes store, not so much. Sounds like your local dealer flaked out.

#14 of 19 Re: Concensus? [bumpy] by pf_flyer HOST

Nov 13, 2008 (9:06 am)

Replying to: bumpy (Nov 13, 2008 8:25 am)
Well he had one or two prominently displayed while they appeared to be selling, but then just as I was going to take a test drive (more out of curiousity than actual interest in purchasing) they were gone.

#15 of 19 A new question... by pf_flyer HOST

Nov 29, 2008 (8:06 am)

Given the current economic turmoil, with people pulling in their financial horns a bit, doe s it hurt the sales potential of the smart more than sales of other vehicles? I've asked the same question about hybrids and the answer seems to be a resounding yes. Mainly because hybrids are pricier.
 
I know smart fans aren't going to like hearing this, but not everyone can afford to buy a car just for running around when they're alone. So for a lot of us, the smart falls under the category of "expensive toy that I might like to have". Those are the kind of discretionary purchases that are being put off by a lot of people. Not because they really can't afford it, but because the uncertainty of things has made everybody cautious about their spending.

#16 of 19 Re: A new question... [pf_flyer] by bumpy

Dec 02, 2008 (8:08 am)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Nov 29, 2008 8:06 am)
I'm inclined to think not, but we'll see if deliveries fall off any in the next few months (which would indicate people declining their ordered cars once they arrive).

#17 of 19 That didn't take long. by bumpy

Dec 02, 2008 (5:48 pm)

3.476 cars through March
2.683 cars in April
2,695 cars in May
2,545 cars in June
2,559 cars in July
2,420 cars in August
1,778 cars in September
2,236 cars in October
1,889 cars in November
22,281 total YTD
 
September's drop was due to the factory vacation in August, and IMO November's drop is because the first delivery of '09s didn't arrive until the middle of the month.

#18 of 19 not so Smart dealership by PerkinsTexas

Dec 02, 2008 (7:39 pm)

I put down a deposit for a Smart Car on June 9, 2007.
 
I was informed that the car would be available in Dallas on October 23, 2008.
 
I was out of town on a business trip to Asia and was not returning until November 8. The local manager in Dallas, Zach Gilbert, decided to sell the car before I returned.
 
I called as soon as I returned but never heard from him. His assistant was kind enough to talk with me and eventually returned my deposit.
 
This is not the way to build a loyal customer base. I waited 16 months for the car and the local dealer could not wait 16 days for me?
 
Steve Perkins

#19 of 19 Recession Buster by bumpy

Jan 05, 2009 (5:34 pm)

Replying to: bumpy (Dec 02, 2008 5:48 pm)
2,341 for December, and 24,622 for the year.

Messages Page 3 of 3

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