smart ForMore cancelled... roadster ended!

[Johann]

From: http://www.testdriven.co.uk/news.cfm/smart_formore_4x4_cancelled_and_roadster_axed

DaimlerChrysler confirmed today it has cancelled development of the Smart Formore 4x4 and will cease production of the Roadster at the end of the year.

The Smart Formore compact 4x4 had been specifically designed to launch the brand in the USA.

These shock decisions are part what the DaimlerChrysler board described as part of a new business model for the Smart brand, with the apparent intention of giving the company a sound financial basis and achieving break-even in 2007.

Development will instead focus on creating a successor to the current Fortwo for which Smart is best known, which will eventually be introduced in the US. A new generation three-cylinder petrol engine will be sold to other manufacturers as part of the new development programme.

Despite dumping its stake in Mitsubishi, DC has vowed to continue to work with the Japanese car maker on for the Forfour.

A plan to cut costs by 30 percent with two years will also sees Smart's development, sales, aftersales and servicing operations integrated into the existing Mercedes-Benz network. Workforce reductions will occur, although more Smart sales outlets, including those within MB dealerships, are being considered.

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[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

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[andydax2002]

Thats a real shame.Gorgeous little rear drive cars are very rare now.


andy

1.4TDI SE, DIS ,Leather ,CD ,ipod ,Climate ,Road Angel ,Tom Tom Go.

 

[Johann]

I love the Roadster too and seriously considered getting one as a 2nd car... but it was WAY overpriced for what it is. £15000 for such a tiny device?!! No way... You can buy TWO good condition first shape Mazda MX-5s for that money and have two different colours depending on your mood! AND you will have a true convertible and not the pseudo-big-sunroof affair the Roadster has... But still. A pity to see it go. But I suspect it was the price that put a lot of people off and thus they never sold as many as they would have wanted to...

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[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183

 

[philhusbands]

quote:I suspect it was the price that put a lot of people off and thus they never sold as many as they would have wanted to...

Remind anyone of another innovative niché car?


Phil. TDi Sport, silver, with Climate and OpenSky.

 

[Will]

I think MCC got over excited after they launched to original Smart (ForTwo). The original concept was innovative and an excellent product IMHO. Like Johann I like the Roadster too, but no way is it a £15k car, what on Earth were MCC thinking of. And then the ForFour is just a Colt with plastic doors and a few gimiky features and for me the worst idea of all is the Formore. I think if MCC had stuck to the original idea and made the great FotTwo better still and cheaper they would be onto a winnner. The next generation needs a better engine, maybe even a hybrid.

What continues to baffle me though, if the A2 was too expensive, what of the A-class.....why did that sell so well, when I think of it as an inferior car.

2004 1.4 TDi (90) SE, Cobalt Blue, Climate control, Cruise control, DIS, Sport seats, Winter pack, Symphony II.

 

[frido]

I think the A-Class sold so well because it is a Mercedes... that´s what attracted many people to it, at least over here. Tha A2 was never the cheapest Audi, as far as I know...

Bye, Frido.

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now parents' car: A2 1.2 TDI 2002 silver, CC, DIS
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[Johann]

The A-class was perceived as bigger inside and could sit three across in the back... A2 4 seater only...

There was a very interesting ForFour at Geneva with translucent body panels: I don’t particularly like the design of this little car as I think it tries too hard to be different. But it still follows the smart principles of a main body frame in steel with easily interchangeable plastic body panels. They had two special ForFours on the stand where all the plastic body panels were translucent! The material was doing what the material really is and is not trying to look like painted metal!!! But EVERYTHING inside was translucent too! Even the steering wheel, dash and all the buttons! That was a bit much, but the exterior looked great. [As an aside: Some warped souls put neon lights under their cars to supposedly make them look cool… imagine some neon lights INSIDE the doors and fenders of this car!!!]

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[img=left]http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-2/11882/a2andme2.gif[/img=left]
2001 A2 TDI SE Crystal Blue with Open Sky, 6CD Symphony II, BOSE upgrade, DIS and HALF a winterpack!

iPAQ 3970 with Sat-Nav sleeve, rear cupholders, luggage net and floppy wiper!

http://www.a2oc.net/pic_show.asp?picid=1572&type=1 On www.A2OC.net pictures UK160 to UK183