Further Proof That The Smart Car Is Dumb

"Mikeado" (mikeado)
09/25/2013 at 12:54 • Filed to: Infographics, Smart, Fiat, VW, Bugatti Veyron, Audi, Jaguar, Renault

Here we have a chart of the European cars that made their makers the biggest loss from 1997-2013, in Euros. As you can see, even the Bugatti Veyron's €4.6m+ loss per car can't compete with the amount of Daimler's money that the Mk.1 Smart ForTwo pissed up the wall. It comfortably beat 2nd place, which was the completely forgettable !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I'm surprised that the Stilo (or "Style" in Italian) lost FIAT so much money, TBH. The Phaeton? Less surprising.

There are times when I wonder how or why Smart still exists. This is one of those times.

DISCUSSION (17)

Speedmonkey > Mikeado
09/25/2013 at 12:56

Phaeton was an excuse for VW execs to drive big cars. I've driven the Smart. By god it's awful

dropthatclutch > Mikeado
09/25/2013 at 13:06

Does this suggest that the Veyron should have been prices somewhere around 6 million to make money for the company?

Mikeado > dropthatclutch
09/25/2013 at 13:10

I guess so. They must have recouped some small amount of the loss by releasing a million Limited Editions of it, though.

Ghost Dog - For the kittens > Mikeado
09/25/2013 at 13:14

It's amazing how soon after its release the Smart wasn't a logical purchase. More amazing is how long production has continued.

Cool graphic. Great post.

Tom McParland > Mikeado
09/25/2013 at 13:15

Anytime I see a SMART on the road...especially on a highway here in NJ my brain goes "Oh look DUMBcar!"

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > Mikeado
09/25/2013 at 13:20

It's ok Phaeton. Jalops still love you.

Meatcoma > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna
09/25/2013 at 13:28

We love used Phaeton. New Phaeton and his highfalutin buddies' prices can kiss our asses.

Fred (FreddsterExprs) > Mikeado
09/25/2013 at 13:31

The Smart could be a brilliant car for europe. My university is right in the city center, and I never ever think of taking my car there. I woun't find a parking spot for hours, and if I find one it will be too small for my wagon.
A Smart would fit everywhere and is just right for city driving.

The only drawback: It isn't a 10k car. It is a 6k car that feels like 5k but costs 15.

95HondaV6 > Mikeado
09/25/2013 at 13:33

The Smart-4-Two is an ugly vehicle
When I even think I may see one
I always cover (close) my eyes
Even while driving!

Mikeado > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
09/25/2013 at 13:36

Their problem is that not only did that "Tridion Safety Cell" thing that made it safe enough most likely cost them a shitload, but the Smart was a fad that only lasted a few years. They tried capitalising on it, but with the ForFour, which was a more expensive Mitsubishi Colt with plastic on it, and the Roadster/Roadster-Coupé, which had the wrong gearbox and cost too much for a car with 80 horsepower.

Meanwhile, they've kept the ForTwo with its comedy handling in production. I don't get that.

J. Walter Weatherman > Fred (FreddsterExprs)
09/25/2013 at 13:38

The concept of the smart car is great, and makes plenty of sense in a city. It's the execution that is the weak point of the car. It just comes up short in almost every way.

crowmolly > Tom McParland
04/17/2014 at 11:30

Likewise. It's a city car for city driving. Having something that small on highways seems pretty ridiculous to me. Yeah, it might be OK in crash tests with a single impact but what happens after you hit more than one car and the chassis is all "used up" from the first crash?

I love you but I've chosen hooning! > Mikeado
04/18/2014 at 02:30

Well, the Smart car makes about as much sense in the US as the Dodge Ram car or the Ford F-150 car or a Cadillac Escalade car in Europe. Apart from that, I see Smart has found its niche as a short term rental (Car2Go). It's cheaper than a Taxi and really practical in crowded European cities. Also, next generation will have a RR layout and ditch the weird dual clutch, that could prove to be interesting.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Tom McParland
04/18/2014 at 08:32

I have some non car friends that own TWO of the things. His and hers Smart cars.

Granted they only drive 5 miles a day. And have a 1 ton dually Chevy with a 454 in it.

Still boggles the mind.

Mikeado > I love you but I've chosen hooning!
04/18/2014 at 08:39

I think this is global sales, or maybe European.

Smarts have always been RR (apart from the Mitsubishi Colt-based ForFour), hence why the new platform-sharing Twingo Mk.3 has the same layout.

I love you but I've chosen hooning! > Mikeado
04/18/2014 at 09:16

I knew it was rear-wheel drive, I didn't know it also had its motor in the back. That makes it somewhat cooler in my book. Not a lot but still.

Mike Paoli > Speedmonkey
04/18/2014 at 12:30

It was also practice for making Bentleys which seems to have payed off.