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I Miss My Smart Car
- Thread starter TexasTesla
- Start date
RSchneider
Elio Addict
How much mileage does an Elio get?
Mel
Elio Addict
It doesn't use any gas at all!
TexasTesla
Elio Addict
In Germany, Brabus builds highly modified Smart Cars.
Here’s the Brabus Ultimate 125 edition Smart Car.
TexasTesla
Elio Addict
The Lotus Super 7 was introduced in 1957. The design still looks good today.
After Lotus ended production of the Seven, Caterham bought the rights. Caterham still makes both kits and fully assembled cars based on the original design.
Lots of other kit car companies offer kits based upon the design of the original Lotus Super Seven.
It appears we already have a proven, quality built, safety rated, 2 seater, I.C.E. or Electric, smart, commuter car on the market, that perhaps misses the mark on affordability for the masses. The Smart’s somewhat odd and slightly sporty styling is growing on me, the more I see it. My neighbors own a Smart and they love it. Seems most owners do, so are they smart, smarter, or smartest?
The Smart is rather odd looking, but one could say that about the Elio, Arcimoto FUV, and the EMV SOLO.
The Smart is rather odd looking, but one could say that about the Elio, Arcimoto FUV, and the EMV SOLO.
TexasTesla
Elio Addict
Check out this dismal chart of yearly Smart Car sales volume.
Mercedes discontinued selling gas powered Smart Cars in the U.S. in 2017...they now only sell the electric version. The electric versions are more than $25,000.
Current demand for the Smart Car is just a trickle at best.
Smart Car sales were strong in 2008 and 2009 because they were filling the original 40,000 advance reservations orders. Once the advance reservation orders were filled, Smart Car sales tapered off dramatically.
I expect Mercedes to quit importing Smart Cars into the U.S. soon.
Americans have no appetite for small cars.
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84mpg
Elio Addict
“Americans have no appetite for small cars.”
Can’t hardly argue with that statement.
That’s why I’m glad the Elio isn’t a small car.
There’s enough major differences to set the Elio apart.... IMO.
Can’t hardly argue with that statement.
That’s why I’m glad the Elio isn’t a small car.
There’s enough major differences to set the Elio apart.... IMO.
TexasTesla
Elio Addict
The Elio vehicle is a sub-compact one seater in my books. The backseat is too confining and claustrophobic for most passengers, you almost have to be a contortionist to get in the back seat.
I’m interested in the Elio because it is a small sub-compact vehicle...IMO.
I’ve experienced zero Smart Car advertising in the USA. Market the Smart as a commuter supplement to the family car......an & Car. Perhaps it would make little difference. Elio, Arcimoto, and the SOLO are small autocycles and I feel they all need a marketing campaign once across the production starting line to create a market and insure any degree of success.
Americans may accept one small car/autocycle commuter vehicle if it’s the right family fit, style, and affordable........or not. That “Americans have no appetite for small cars” mentality impacts volume demand for all the three wheelers to include ELIO.
Back in 2008 I looked at the Smart and quickly concluded it was to expensive and had a shockingly low MPG for what it was. I long to be a small car/autocycle owner/driver, but only if the fun and utility factors are off the chart. I would have to test drive the Elio to insure the performance, handling, and fun factor.
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