October 24th, 2007
Despite the limitations of being a two-seater, Smart USA is convinced that the car will have strong appeal across age and demographic lines because commuters, empty-nesters and young single people typically don’t fill up their cars with passengers anyway.
“This car will transcend generations and traditional buying segments,’’ Schembri predicts.
The audience at the October test drive in Dallas was diverse, including young urban couples and retirees.
Richard Mulholland, a white-collar retiree in his 70s, a demographic more often associated with big American sedans, says he has “no problem” with switching to the smart car because it rides well, accommodates his 6-foot-4 frame, saves on gas and helps the environment.
“We can no longer afford to drive these urban assault vehicles. As soon as I can lower my carbon footprint, I couldn’t be happier,” he said. And besides that, he added, the car’s “adorable.”
Skip a few generations downward, and meet Nick Ryder, age 15, awaiting his father’s verdict on a test drive. The Ryder family, of Plano, was considering the car as a commuter possibility for Nick’s dad, Richard, and a car that Nick could also drive when he’s licensed. Nick says teens will “fit with what they get” from their parents, but as a member of his private school’s environmental club, he would appreciate the good fuel economy of the smart car.
“For getting around town, it’s the ideal car,” he said, especially considering it could partially retire the family pick up, gets an uninspiring eight miles per gallon.
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