The 2013 Smart vehicle will include a fresh new dynamic design having dignified front and back aprons, a more impressive front grill, and side aprons meant to make the Smart Fortwo appear to be much more beefy. It offers either an electric or gas-driven power train, both in coupe or convertible variants.

But for your more fashionable Smart car enthusiast, the reports are better yet.

Smart GmbH has constantly provided shoppers with a relatively good variety of conventional colors, together with a larger selection of more personalized paint choices. However, for 2013, Smart car owners are going to have even more control over features such as the leather-based interior and color trim for the door panels, audio system, and instrument cluster. Consumers may also buy their Smart car with an entire body wrap that covers the vehicle. Thirty choices are offered. As outlined by Daimler, they are able to match up any color, and the choices are unlimited. You could potentially dip your Smart vehicle in gold if you’d like.

And whenever you get tired of an option, the outside panels may be exchanged for brand-new ones for around 700 dollars.

But changing the Smart’s panel components is not quite as easy as changing shoes or toe nail polish. Motorists will have to bring their Smart vehicle in to a dealer to switch the panels. That customization could increase the price from 3,000 to 5,000 dollars for the 2013 Smart Fortwo.

Motorists may also get a much more short-term change with custom-made wraps – basically, a large sticker label that covers the vehicle’s outside. Buyers frequently create them for marriage ceremonies along with other special events.

As opposed to a painted metal body, the Smart features a Tridon metal security cell. The body is a superior-quality plastic material which has the color molded in. This is ideal for urban center parking where door blemishes and bumps when parking result in typical problems for standard vehicles.

2013 Smart BRABUS

The 2013 Smart vehicle BRABUS sports an activity package deal that offers a far more dynamic exhaust, much more vibrant side skirts, stiffened suspensions, and customized metal wheels. The inside BRABUS bundle offers distinctive pedals, floor mats, and ebony-colored natural leather seating. The Smart Sharpred Fortwo’s overall appearance bundle lives up to its label. The impressive color variation will feature the Tridon safety cell created in a red color, but the rest of the automobile is black. Inside seating and inside trim is going to be black and red-colored natural leather or simulated leather-based having contrasting red-colored stitches.

Car2go offers a cutting-edge mode of instantly providing transportation. This new type of service is on an upsurge. It’s role is to augment pre-existing public transit alternatives by linking the interruption normally associated with those who use larger-scale public transportation, what many refer to as the “first and last mile” of a public transit  commute.

These vehicles are members of North America’s very first electric powered vehicle sharing community called car2go. Initial introduced in Europe several years ago they now have their eyes on the USA prize. Car2Go was certainly one of initial organizations to cater specifically to over congested metropolitan urban centers and youthful metropolitan travelers providing vehicles to rent on an hourly basis, which can be picked up within the metropolitan areas they currently support. Car2go is actually a member structured program. To participate there’s a $35.00 (one time) charge. Right after enrollment you’ll receive a regular membership card which will activate any car2go merely by swiping it up against the car’s windscreen.

Car2Go is currently in business in Austin, Texas their very first U.S. location. Last November Car2Go introduced the world’s most significant all-electric vehicle cars-haring network in San Diego, California and already has more than 6,000 users. Since the roll-out of car2go, the electric car community in San Diego has erupted significantly to just about 7,000 electric vehicle customers, making San Diego among the leading metropolitan areas on the planet for electric powered automobiles.

This month, Car2Go will launch car-sharing plans in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Oregon. At this time there are more than 70,000 car2go customers globally.

Car2Go makes it simple to find a vehicle practically anywhere within the car2go home region. You can find smart cars using a smart phone application, through the car2go car locater on the car2go internet site, by phoning the customer contact center, or simply just by locating a readily available car in your neighborhood.

Contrasting the traditional car-sharing, Car2go members are able to start their journey in an instant or order a smart car 24 hours ahead of time without the need of promising to a compulsory return time or specific location. Members can use the cars for as long as they would like and pay only for the time they use the vehicle. Re-charging and maintenance are included at no additional cost, and there are no annual fees.

Rates start at 60 minutes for no more than $12.99, and a single day ( 24 hours) is a maximum of $65.99. The more time you commute, the less expensive it becomes. You may drive for as long and as far as you want, just bear in mind that each mile above 150 mi per local rental is going to be billed at 45 cents per mile. There aren’t any security deposits, month-to-month service fees or costs to order a car. Quite a few participants are finding they are able to skip the problems of vehicle ownership or traditional vehicle rental.

Car2go participants are accountable for all processing expenses associated with damage that they may be responsible, for example severe soiling of the car2go, driving violations, and infractions of your valid terms and conditions.

Car2go is a totally owned and operated part of Daimler provides an revolutionary people moving alternative redefining personal transportation in rapidly expanding metropolitan areas by providing a multi-level system of thousands of environment-friendly smart car city motor vehicles for short term rental.

New look for the smart fortwo

Stuttgart. The spring of 2012 will see the smart fortwo making its mark in a striking new look, featuring an upgraded exterior and a fresh leather/fabric mix in the interior. The smart fortwo is available for ordering now. The first vehicles will reach dealers at the beginning of April.

The substantially revamped smart fortwo sports a markedly more dynamic appearance, featuring a larger radiator grille with integrated logo, striking front aprons in a new design, horizontally arranged LED daytime driving lights, muscular side skirts and modified rear aprons. “The way in which the fortwo now displays the smart logo more prominently stands for the brand’s new self-confidence,” notes smart boss Dr Annette Winkler.” The smart fortwo has long become an icon that is a defining feature of urban traffic throughout the world.”

The chrome-coloured logo is now positioned directly in the black radiator grille. The air inlets under the number plate have been combined into a single unit, lending the smart fortwo a bolder appearance. The new, optionally available LED daytime driving lights are now arranged horizontally. There is also a choice of three new alloy wheels: the smart fortwo passion comes with a new 9-spoke alloy wheel; two additional alloy wheels fitted with wide tyres and featuring a 3-spoke and 3-twin-spoke design respectively round off the range. The choice of colours comprises seven options, including matt anthracite for the first time. The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive is

now also optionally available in white. In addition to the three soft top colours for the smart cabrio which were previously available from the smart programme (black, red, blue), the smart BRABUS tailor made programme offers six other soft top colours.

While the main focus of this facelift is on the exterior, there are changes inside the car, too. These include a new, high-quality interior package in crystal grey, comprising a fresh leather/fabric combination for the seats, an imitation leather/fabric mix for the door trims and black imitation leather for the instrument panel in combination with a grey knee pad.

The pulse and passion equipment lines are generally more colourful options than the basic pure model. pulse and passion highlight the frame of the front grille and the rear trim strip in silver, for example, while the front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron are painted in the car’s exterior colour. The door mirror caps are finished in the tridion colour. On the smart pure, these components are black.

The five lines – pure, pulse, passion, BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive – are to be retained. Similarly, the smart fortwo will continue to be available as a coupé and cabrio version and with six engine and motor variants. The spectrum ranges from the particularly environment-friendly electric power train in the fortwo electric drive and the efficient micro hybrid petrol engine through the powerful turbo petrol engine to the fuel-efficient cdi turbodiesel. Prices begin at € 10,275 for the smart fortwo 45 kW mhd pure.

The new model generation for 2012 represents the continuation of a unique success story for smart: as a trendsetter the smart fortwo has been redefining individual urban mobility for more than ten years now. It combines responsibility to the environment and high ecological standards with joie de vivre and a high fun factor. With its compact dimensions the two-seater takes up less road and parking space than any other car around.

More than 1.3 million smart fortwos have been delivered to customers since the first model was launched in 1998. 101,996 smart fortwos were handed over to customers worldwide in 2011 – 4.6 percent more than in the previous year.

The car2go mobility service is also attracting growing numbers of fans. Over 2000 smart fortwos are currently in operation for 60,000 customers in seven cities around the globe. car2go is already successfully up and running in Ulm and Hamburg (Germany), Austin and San Diego (USA), Vancouver (Canada), Vienna (Austria) and Amsterdam (Netherlands). car2go will be launching in Lyon (France), Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Washington D.C. and other cities in 2012.

Source Daimler Global Media Site. Stuttgart, Feb 01, 2012

This is a vehicle that follows in the smart tradition and is a mini-micro pickup designed to carry two-passengers. However, it is substantially larger than the company’s mainstay – the fortwo coupe. The increased bulk makes the For-Us approximately three feet longer, rendering it just a few inches short of a Mini Cooper. Additionally, the pickup bed of the For-Us is sized and setup to transport 2 all-new smart electric bikes, while being able to charge them – on the move. This makes the For-Us much like the Geely IC current model.

The quirky and appealing smart For-Us utilizes the identical lithium-ion battery along with the same electric drive in the smart ED electric-powered car due this spring.

But the question about this smart offer is becoming a recurring concern – Is this one more terrific smart concept car that will never make it to the street?

smart GmbH has produced or attempted manufacturing no fewer than 8 distinct models. These have consisted of the smart crossblade, forfour, Roadster as well as the 4-door forfour. None of these models is manufactured any longer and can only be assessed as total financial calamities.

Additionally, there were the engaging concepts of the smart concept vehicles. Beginning with the crosstown, the formore SUV, forvision, and finally the ForspeED. All came and exited without a plan for implementation or success. As a result, all must be considered as failed attempts for the automaker to grow and diversify.

The core auto for smart, has always been the original fortwo design. We believe, like the majority practical consumers – why not get the first one right? It would then be possible to proceed to greater and improved models.

Mercedes-Benz USA is now in charge of sales and service for the fortwo in the USA. Plans were for a re-launch of the smart car U.S. with potent marketing campaigns behind it. However, it appears the company is providing us with yet another reproof concept flop which was displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit called the For-Us.

Mercedes-Benz (Daimler) is coming off its best year in the past decade, but their smart GmbH division remains a challenge – The initial smart car was manufactured and sold nearly 13-years ago. Even diehard smart followers are confused about the future of smart.

The fact is that, before and after the smart fortwo’s official introduction in the U.S. in 2008, the marketing and promotion for the line was painfully neglected by Penske, the first U.S. distributor for smart. This contributed to lackluster sales of the smart and made the U.S. one of Daimler’s most significant problem areas. Smart car sales last year hardly made a blip on the radar at just over 5,000 cars.

In 2012, the third-generation Fortwo will be launched as a 2013 model, and will be based on the Forvision concept vehicle that recently debuted in Frankfurt. Current information is that the update will be primarily cosmetic, although third-generation electric models will definitely offer increased range and performance. Of more importance, the new model will be available for purchase rather than only on a lease.

Lots of people are beginning to question exactly how “smart” the smart car is, and how creative will Mercedes-Benz USA marketing get in promoting this model entry? Will they finally put the appropriate amount of marketing muscle and dollars behind the line to make it a success?

The smart ebike is going into series production. With this step smart as a pioneer of local emission-free electric mobility is expanding its e-product portfolio.

smart ebike to go on sale in 2012: Urban electric mobility from smart – now also on two wheels

The smart ebike is going into series production. With this step smart as a pioneer of local emission-free electric mobility is expanding its e-product portfolio.

A near-series version of the smart ebike will be on display at the “Eurobike” show in Friedrichshafen (31 August – 3 September 2011) and at the Frankfurt Motor Show (13 – 25 September 2011). The smart ebike is being developed and built in cooperation with the renowned e-bike manufacturer GRACE, based near Berlin.

The ebike will be launched in the first half of 2012 and will initially be marketed by dealers in Europe and North America.

smart CEO Dr. Annette Winkler says “The smart ebike is a true smart – but on two wheels. It’s not just an extremely well designed bicycle that is sure to draw admiring glances in the city – it’s also really practical and child’s play to ride. Anyone can zip through town on it with or without exerting themselves – depending on their fitness level and as the mood takes them. And it’s even easier to find a parking space than with the smart fortwo.”

Power-assisted mobility on two wheels is in. According to the association of the two-wheeler industry (ZIV) sales figures in Germany alone rose from 70,000 in 2007 to 200,000 in 2010. In 2018 the ZIV predicts that e-bikes will make up 15 percent of all bicycle sales in Germany. And in Europe as a whole sales are booming even more. In 2007 approximately 200,000 people opted for an electric bicycle and according to the ZIV by 2009 this figure had already risen to 500,000. And in 2010 around 700,000 e-bikes were sold throughout Europe – a plus of 40 percent compared with the previous year.

With an unconventional design in line with the style of the brand, functions appropriate for city use and high technology standards that are demonstrated by the extremely efficient and high-performance drive package among other features, the smart ebike has an exceptional position.

A Visionary Sees the Future

Let’s travel back to 1972, when a project leader for Mercedes-Benz named Johann Tomforde conceptualized a vehicle to complete his vision of an ultimate urban transporter. This car would fulfill the role of an inner city commuting vehicle which was only a few feet long, and had room for two adults.

Eighteen years later, in 1990, two design concept vehicles went into development. The first model was the “Study A” prototype. This resulted in production of the Mercedes A Class.

The second model culminated in the production of the Mercedes City Car, which was also known as the MCC (Micro Compact Car). This was an electric-powered vehicle which was only 2.5 meters in length.

In 1991, Mercedes Benz turned over the project to its ADS (Advanced Design Studio.) This facility was headquartered in Irvine, California. Here, a group of engineers and designers began working on the engineering and design.

This prototype was give the moniker – smart MCC (Micro Compact Car). Designers at the ADS simply called it “MCC 01.” Metalcrafters built the first physical rendition in 1992.

Moving forward a few years, Nicholas Hayek, innovator and creator of Swatch contacted Mercedes about their mission. He wanted to apply his manufacturing techniques, which involved modular manufacturing processes used in Swatches to manufacturing cars.

Hayek had already led a revolutionary movement in the watch industry by reinventing watches into fun and inexpensive fashion statements. He wanted to pursue doing the same things with cars and approached Mercedes.

Hayek differed from many in the smart project – he was a visionary also. His concept was to create an economical and fun city car that would be powered by either a hybrid or electric system. Mercedes executives, although concerned with the urban environment for automobiles, didn’t view the market the same way.

Knowing the story of the smart car is fun to get to know. It allows for greater familiarity with the interesting story and development of smart. It is not surprising to find the car was surrounded by intrigue, broken promises and deception, since its inception.

Further adding to the intriguing story is billions of dollars in losses for share-holders supporting smart.

So the real story of smart began a decade and one-half ago. Two highly recognized companies known for innovation and breaking new ground called Swatch and Mercedes Benz decided to build a very small car for Europe.

All of this and more – long before those of us the US even conceived of the need to develop, manufacture or drive such a car … Read the whole story

In 1993 Swatch watch inventor, Nicolas Hayek, took his ideas for an “ultra-urban” car to Mercedes-Benz and a joint venture is born. Although his participation in the smart program was comparatively brief, that fundamental approach has been retained. Currently, a smart fortwo is the fourth most fuel efficient car. The newest generation smart will be available in 2014.

The smart car fortwo’s next-generation may have a longer body and powertrain alternatives including a mild hybrid and a new smart car fortwo all-electric car.

About 1994 Nicholas Hayek and his Swiss Corporation formed Micro Compact Car (MCC) AG, with a 51/49 ownership split. In 1994 MCC France was established for the purposes of locating a plant, smartville, in Hambach, France, which had its production launch in 1997, the same year that the production version of the three-cylinder smart city coupe was revealed to the public at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Earlier that year, Hayek had accepted a buyout. In 1998 Daimler-Benz had control over the business that was renamed Micro Compact Car smart GmbH. In 2002, the company was renamed again, smart GmbH.

smart, GmbH the manufacturer of the smart is a division Daimler. Its produced in Hambach, France. Since the first smart rolled off the production line it’s always been marketed as the “smart” in all lower-case.

Mr. Hayek, unlike many involved in the smart project was a visionary, his concept was to create an economical and fun city car that would be powered by either a hybrid or electric system. Sadly, Mercedes executives although concerned with the urban environment for automobiles didn’t see things

The history of the smart car is not only helpful allowing you to get better acquainted with smart cars, but many of you maybe surprised to find the car was surround by intrigue, broken promises and deception. Not to mention billions of dollars in losses for share-holders.