smart to be Smallest Subcompact
What's a smart fortwo? It's one of the smallest, most fuel efficient cars available anywhere in the world. Of course, like so many other niche vehicles it's not available in Canada, right? That's true, at least for the next few months.
Mercedes-Benz Canada took the opportunity at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto earlier this year to announce that it will begin selling its 2005 smart fortwo 2-seat coupe and cabrio cdi diesel models in the early fall 2004.
Having started in Europe in 1998, the Mercedes microcar division is now available in more than in 31 countries throughout the world, with the U.S. and Canada being two of its final target markets.
The smart brand (yes the lower case spelling is intentional), will be sold through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network in Canada, a very different approach to rival BMW that chose to market its Mini division through stand-alone dealers. This could pose unique challenges to the Mercedes-Benz retail division, depending on how they choose to separate the two very different buying experiences and distinct clientele.
After all, the smart fortwo and Mercedes-Benz S Class are the comparative size equivalents of a dinghy and luxury yacht, with equally comparable price diversity. The base coupe will begin around $16,000 while the bottom-dollar cabrio at under $20,000. Comparatively the M-B S-Class starts at $97,850 while the luxury marque's least expensive convertible has an MSRP of $73,800.
What's a smart fortwo? It's one of the smallest, most fuel efficient cars available anywhere in the world. Of course, like so many other niche vehicles it's not available in Canada, right? That's true, at least for the next few months.
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| The smart fortwo is one of the smallest, most fuel efficient cars in the world, and it will soon be available here in Canada. (Photo: smart) |
Having started in Europe in 1998, the Mercedes microcar division is now available in more than in 31 countries throughout the world, with the U.S. and Canada being two of its final target markets.
 |
| The base coupe will begin around $16,000 while the reasonable cabrio at under $20,000. (Photo: smart) |
After all, the smart fortwo and Mercedes-Benz S Class are the comparative size equivalents of a dinghy and luxury yacht, with equally comparable price diversity. The base coupe will begin around $16,000 while the bottom-dollar cabrio at under $20,000. Comparatively the M-B S-Class starts at $97,850 while the luxury marque's least expensive convertible has an MSRP of $73,800.