Smart RoadsterIf you're in the market for a new car and don't fancy a road-hogging 4x4, then perhaps the Smart car is the one for you. The first idea was to create a car that ran on a three-litre fuel tank, consuming three litres per 100km driven. It was in 1991 that Hayek shared his ideas with Volkswagen and the Smart car began the idea of concept stage development. Designs for the run-around car began in the 1980s when Nicholas Hayek of SMH began to explore ideas for a smaller form of car, as the CEO of Swatch he felt that the industry hadn't catered for a small and funky car, much like his company's approach to watch-making.
Smart RoadsterYou might not know this about the logo, but it shows a grey 'c' and a yellow arrow, this is to represent 'compact' and the arrow is to symbolise forward thinking. Part of the Daimler AG brand, the Smart car is a form of microcar created in Hambach in France and Bobligen in Germany. Daimler-Benz bought out SMH's share and went into The assembly plant was opened in 1997 by the French President Jacques Chirac and the unveiling of the Smart city-Coupe was set for March 1998. They began to develop concept cars that would become the first real designs for the Smart car. A number of car companies rejected his designs, but Daimler-Benz AG (a subsidiary of Mercedez-Benz) decided to take it on in 1994. Hayek decided to seek support from other companies and offered his Swatchmobile project to other car manufacturers.
Smart RoadsterThe smart car measures 98.4 inches in length. However, not everyone is convinced of the gas efficiency of this tiny automobile. The manufacturer has touted the stylish design of the vehicle and its fuel efficiency. The debate surrounding smart car gas mileage is yet to reach its conclusion. The Daimler automobile is set to make its debut in the United States in 2008 and will soon be joining other eco-automobiles that had suddenly become quite a trend in automobile manufacturing. Smart car gas mileage might be one of the most important factors that will decide whether the smart automobile will improve its market share.
Smart RoadsterAn electric version of the smart car is also being offered in Great Britain as a lease vehicle. Designed as an ecological vehicle, the automobile has a hybrid engine and other innovative features developed with ecological purposes in mind. The smart is offered in various models; the Smart Fortwo, Roadster, Crosstown and the Forfour supermini. The idea behind its size is to allow the automobile easy parking, with two or three smart cars able to occupy a parking slot reserved for a single regular-sized car.
In the United States, Despite this argument, the smart vehicle still comes up fourth among the most fuel efficient cars in the market. However, some industry observers have criticized the car's fuel efficiency claim, arguing that its gas mileage is lower than Toyota Prius and the Honda models, Insight and Civic Hybrid. The size, according to its manufacturer, will help give the automobile fuel efficiency not found in bigger, heavier models.
In the United States, Despite this argument, the smart vehicle still comes up fourth among the most fuel efficient cars in the market. However, some industry observers have criticized the car's fuel efficiency claim, arguing that its gas mileage is lower than Toyota Prius and the Honda models, Insight and Civic Hybrid. The size, according to its manufacturer, will help give the automobile fuel efficiency not found in bigger, heavier models.
