by "Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
Published 02/14/2017 at 15:03
by "Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
Published 02/14/2017 at 15:03
Tags: Smart
STARS: 0
As reported earlier and long before I could write about it myself, Mercedes-Benz USA sent a letter to dealerships telling them that production of the US spec W453 will cease in April, and sales of the petrol smart in the US will end once dealerships run out of stock (of which many 2016s remain).
From the leaked document:
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“Developments within the micro-car segment present some challenges for the current smart product portfolio,”... “The smart lineup will consist exclusively of the zero-emissions smart electric-drive coupe and cabrio in the U.S. and Canada...”
I’ve always joked this would happen, just didn’t think it would actually happen so soon.
I’m so going to hold on to my twins forever now. Phil is about to get really rare! In all seriousness though, all good things come to an end eventually. Looks like I’ll be importing my future babies from here on out.
To be honest, I bet the only reason why they aren’t pulling the EVs is because the 3rd Gen electric drives are jussssssst a couple months from being released to the US in the first place, so I guess they’re going to give them a whirl anyway.
I’m going to try to confirm the news with my connection at smart. I will update when I hear back!
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"mazda616" (mazda616)
02/14/2017 at 15:08, STARS: 0
I suspect I’ll be finding something similar out about Mazda eventually. Sucks!
"Khalbali" (khalbali2)
02/14/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0
I don’t think so, mazda seems to be doing pretty well here for a small company. I think we’ll start seeing some hybrids in the next 5 years thanks to the deal with Toyota and we have the new diesel cx5 to look forward to.
"Steve in Manhattan" (blogenfreude01)
02/14/2017 at 15:30, STARS: 1
Didn’t know you had two ...
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/14/2017 at 15:53, STARS: 1
I plan to have a warehouse of them by time I’m an old lady lol
"mazda616" (mazda616)
02/14/2017 at 16:05, STARS: 0
I jut worry about their slightly declining year-over-year sales as well as what effect Trump’s trade plans will have on them since they manufacture quite a few cars in Mexico and the rest come directly from Japan.
"In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you" (hoontheangelsing)
02/14/2017 at 16:11, STARS: 1
I’ve heard the New Smart W453 is like a Super Beetle/Renault Twingo/Abarth 500 (old) in its personality. Is this True?
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/14/2017 at 16:20, STARS: 0
I haven’t driven any such classic cars, but I can say it’s a heck of a hoot to drive! :)
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
02/14/2017 at 19:21, STARS: 1
I envision you buying a “new” 2016 Smart with a manual trans in a few years, that’s been sitting on the lot for like four or five years.
And they won’t do a proper inspection.
Nor we they actually fix anything, ever.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
02/14/2017 at 19:22, STARS: 2
It’s called Gas. Or Gasoline. You aren’t British.
"ranwhenparked" (ranwhenparked)
02/14/2017 at 19:40, STARS: 1
Or petroleum distillate.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/14/2017 at 19:54, STARS: 2
And I can say whatever I want! :)
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/14/2017 at 19:55, STARS: 1
*Preemptively flips table* Nooooooooooo!
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
02/14/2017 at 20:03, STARS: 2
Just because you can doesn’t mean you should
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
02/14/2017 at 21:50, STARS: 0
You know that’s what would happen :p
"Denver Is Stuck In The 90s" (denver80222)
02/15/2017 at 01:55, STARS: 3
Exactly. Maybe you should listen to your own advice and stop shit stirring.
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
02/15/2017 at 07:50, STARS: 0
How is this shit stirring?
"VeeDubTDI" (veedubtdi)
02/15/2017 at 09:20, STARS: 2
I am very much looking forward to the release of the W453 electric. I’ve been eyeing Smarts ever since I test drove a 2nd gen electric last year and I’m hoping that lease rates remain attractive with the 3rd gen, which I suspect they will.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/15/2017 at 09:40, STARS: 1
I don’t go on your posts and complain about your word usage, but somehow a double standard is applied to me? You’re absolutely free to not read my posts if you don’t like them! :)
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/15/2017 at 09:45, STARS: 0
If my spying at the EDs at the Chicago Auto Show ring true (they were US spec EDs too), the 453 electrics are going to have a slew of new features the US models didn’t have prior. I spotted lane departure sensors, a rear camera, and rear parking sensors in addition to the front radar.
The current US spec 453s only have the somewhat not useful radar (it’s been gimped to the point where it pretty much does nothing).
"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake)
02/15/2017 at 10:53, STARS: 0
It’s not a double standard, I apply it equally to everyone. Including myself, which is why I don’t use random British lingo despite living in the Midwestern United States.
It’s just...cringy. That’s my opinion, you’re free to take it or leave it. Don’t act like I’m singling you out, and it shouldn’t be interpreted as malice.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/15/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 0
All, well then thank you for the input! Though, I will say I will not change my writing. :)
"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr)
02/15/2017 at 12:53, STARS: 1
So I’m doing a piece listing cars that have upsized engines specifically for improved real world fuel economy and emissions, and I noticed an interesting quote in this Reuters article :
In real-driving conditions, the French carmaker’s 0.9-litre gasoline H4Bt injects excess fuel to prevent overheating, resulting in high emissions of unburned hydrocarbons, fine particles and carbon monoxide.
Cleaning that up with exhaust technology would be too expensive, sources say, so the three-cylinder will be dropped for a larger successor developing more torque at lower regimes to stay cool.
That’s the gasoline engine that the 453 is using! I’m wondering if this is driven by an emissions problem...
There’s an implication in the article that 1.2 liters is going to be treated as the practical minimum displacement for a gasoline car engine, so if the ICE version sticks around in Europe in the wake of Euro 6c and Real Driving Emissions, I’m expecting a larger engine.
"Mercedes Streeter" (smart)
02/15/2017 at 12:56, STARS: 0
Huh, that’s a neat find!!! And well, Mercedes-Benz is being tight-lipped on the actual reasons why, so I can’t say for sure why they’re doing this.