Smart car rolls into U.S.

Smart cars are arriving at 68 U.S. dealerships this month.

DETROIT (AP) — Americans who want to drive Smart like their European counterparts are finally getting their chance.

The flagship dealership and corporate headquarters for Smart USA were opening Thursday in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills. The dealership is one of 68 in 31 states expected to open this month to sell the 8-foot 8-inch Smart Fortwo micro car.

Smart is a division of Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz brand, and its cars have been sold for nearly a decade in Europe. The French-made vehicles are being sold through U.S. dealers that are part of Penske Automotive Group Inc. Roger Penske, a racing icon and chairman of Penske Corp., also is chairman of Smart USA.

Hundreds of Fortwos were shipped out of ports in Maryland, Florida and California and have been arriving at dealers this week. And Smart has been contacting the 30,000 people from all 50 states who plunked down $99 to reserve the tall, round yet tiny two-seater during the past year. The first car was delivered Wednesday to a New York buyer.

“I think it’s really an amazing accomplishment by our associates and dealers,” Smart USA President Dave Schembri said. “A year ago, there was not one dealer, not one customer, no cars in the U.S. and relatively low awareness. ... Our thinking when we developed the business plan that America has never been more ready for a car like this seems to be a reality.”

The Smart’s base price is more than $12,000 with destination charges included. A fully loaded Smart Fortwo Passion convertible goes for more than $17,000 with those charges.

He said customers have responded well to the reservation system, which was part of a nontraditional marketing campaign last year that included 50,000 test drives in 50 cities. Smart will continue the reservation process in the dealerships.

Delivery time will vary depending on where people live.

Smart has a steel safety cage and four air bags, including two in front and two on the sides to protect the head and abdomen. It also has standard electronic stability control, which is designed to stop vehicles from swerving off the road.

The 1,800-pound car gets 33 miles per gallon in the city and 41 miles per gallon on the highway.

Schembri said the timing is right for Smart cars, given consumers’ growing preference for higher fuel economy in the face of high gas prices and smaller cars to deal with urban congestion — while not sacrificing safety.

But even in Europe, Smart never has been profitable. Daimler announced a restructuring of the division in 2006, when sales fell to 102,700 vehicles worldwide from 124,300 in 2005.

Aaron Bragman, an analyst with Global Insight, said he doesn’t see the Smart Fortwo selling well beyond about two years, when he predicts the novelty will wear off and “all those who want one have one.”

“For me, it boils down to the business case for buying one,” he said. “For $13,000 to $15,000 on average — as high as $18,000 for a convertible — you’re getting two seats, almost no cargo room and good but not stellar mileage,” he said.

Schembri said Smart USA is confident in its business plan and has saved millions of dollars by opting for a “below-the-line” marketing effort instead of a traditional advertising campaign.