Would you buy a 35.5 mpg smart car at $99 a month?

Bloomfield-Hills based smart USA is taking advantage of “Cash for Clunkers” legislation to offer consumers a new car for as little as $99 per month for the first three years.

President Obama this month signed into law the Car Allowance Rebate System (also known as “Cash for Clunkers”), which provides rebates for those interested in upgrading to newer fuel-efficient vehicles. The fleet of smart vehicles, made by Germany-based Daimler AG, averages 35.5 mpg.

To get in on the smart USA promotion, you’ll have to first qualify for CAR (see if you do) and then sign up with smart for special financing via Daimler Financial.

CLICK HERE -  TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY:

For a smart car selling for just under $14,000, buyers using the stimulus can sign a balloon note that will reduce the their monthly payments to $99 per month over three years.

The terms of the loan obligate them to refinance a residual value of $6,670 at the end of the term, (smart USA President Dave) Schembri said. Buyers can also trade in the vehicle at the end of three years.

The program will launch later this month. You can register now at the smart USA web Site.

CLICK HERE to REGISTER!

SmartUSA says ” As the number “1″ U.S. brand in fuel efficiency, smart is the only brand that already exceeds the Obama Administration’s 2016 CAFE requirement which mandates a fleet average of 35.5 mpg. The smart fortwo is the most fuel efficient, non-hybrid, vehicle on sale in the U.S. at 41 mpg. The smart fortwo is certified as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) by the California Air Resources Board and is an Environmental Protection Agency “SmartWay” vehicle which recognizes its low greenhouse gas and air pollutant scores.

Under the CARS program guidelines, the smart fortwo will qualify for the highest credit level of $4,500 upon the trade in of an eligible vehicle. When this credit amount is applied to the purchase of a new smart fortwo, qualified customers could receive payments as low as $99 per month*.

The CARS program is expected to launch later this summer. However, interested consumers can register below now! By registering below you will receive an acknowledgement from smart USA and you will be contacted by your local smart center, to fully explain the program and $99/month financing offer within 24 hours. smart USA has set aside a limited number of vehicles for immediate delivery with the official launch of the CARS program.”

So what about it?

There’s been some recent debate about whether consumers actually want more green vehicles. Would you consider trading in your best-selling but now aging Ford F-150 for a smart car?

We love to hear from you!

Sources include:  Jonathan Oosting | MLive.com

LONDON – Daimler Mercedes-Benz has become the latest big brand to launch a social network, this time for  Smart car owners have their own social network

The site aims to enable drivers and fans of the car to interact and share their experiences with the vehicle, after research by Mercedes found smart owners enjoy  discussing the brand and are active in social media, Martine Edgell, CRM specialist at Mercedes-Benz said.

Created by Martech Social and Digital Annexe, the site encourages users to create a profile and upload video and pictures of their cars, while featuring news on relevant topics such as driving economically, an Ask an Expert function, forums, groups and events.

For More Information CLICK HERE

Source:  Elizabeth Clifford-Marsh, revolutionmagazine.com, 30 June 2009

Best Smart Car Dealers:  Boston

This is a very cute car. Thus, if you like its looks you should consider buying one. Does it make sense from the standpoint of logic? Well, if you live in a congested area where parking and maneuverability are important and getting about 34 mpg is a plus this is a worthy vehicle to consider. If you want attention and a good driving position with excellent visibility the Smart is worth considering. If you want to drive one of the world’s least expensive convertibles that lowers its top electronically, the Smart is worth considering.

That sums up the Smart ForTwo. It is not a car for those who are logical and need to haul a lot of people and equipment. It is not a car that can get you impressive fuel mileage. It is not a car that can disguise its short wheelbase on rough roads.

In our extended weekend with the ForTwo we couldn’t help but smile every time we looked at it. Here is a vehicle that is almost cuddly. Inside there is plenty of room for two and enough cargo space to haul at least six grocery sacks or a set of golf clubs. The Smart is very easy to enter and exit and the controls are easy to master.

The newest version that we tested was much improved over previous generations. The ride was smoother and the transmission not as jerky. The dash is colorful and the optional tachometer and clock pods are a must order, although the readouts are a bit small. The high seating position and large window areas make driving in traffic easy and the overall fit and finish must improved. There is even more cargo room in this model, although the convertible top does take up some room. By the way, to lower the top only requires a touch of a button, but it is a cabriolet and so the metal side beams of the top remain in place.

Recent crash tests have shown that the Smart does well, but it is a small car. On the other hand, if you are worried about safety the best vehicles are always large sedans and not large SUVs. With this in mind the question is whether I would own one and the answer is in the affirmative. The Smart does not mind keeping up with traffic that is going well over the posted highway speed limit and the brakes and handling are acceptable. The cost is somewhat a concern with our test vehicle coming in around $18,000 dollars. However, being practical has nothing to do with

The Smart Fortwo comes as a hatchback coupe or cabriolet and you can order them in three flavors with the base, Pure model only available for the coupe. The next level is the Passion, which we tested, and the most expensive is the dolled-up Brabus.

As for the stereo it is barely average. I would replace it with an aftermarket model that fills the interior with more sound. In other words, this is an interesting vehicle and one that you don’t have to be afraid to drive as some automobile reviewers feel. The real question is whether it is smart to buy a Smart. The answer is in your heart, not your head.

For the entire article and Mom and Dads Point of view: CLICK HERE

Best Smart Car Dealers has found that Penske Automotive Group, distributors of the smart fortwo here in the United States, recorded an impressive 24,622 total sales of the diminutive city car in 2008, and dealers widely reported that they could have sold even more had they been available. With that in mind, the nascent company set what seemed at the time like a realistic sales target for 25,000 units in 2009. That may have been a bit optimistic.

So far this year, Smart USA has sold 7,451 fortwos, which is down nearly 16-percent from the first five months of 2008. May sales, though, were down an alarming 56.6 percent to 1,169. To stem the rushing tide of order cancellations and slow sales, Penske has decided to offer its first-ever incentives on the fortwo. From now until the end of July, buyers may qualify for 4.2-percent financing through Daimler Financial Services for the purchase of a new 2009 smart fortwo.

If this incentive has a positive impact on sales, expect it to be extended a bit longer. Further, Penske is considering making it possible for dealerships to order new cars without accepting the refundable $99 reservation from a customer that’s currently required, which could have the desirable effect of placing more new vehicles on dealer lots for buyers to choose from.

Resource:  Auto Blog Green

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