Smart ForTwo Sales are Down!

When you think of a green automobile, chances are you think of a small Toyota rather than a vehicle from Dodge Jeep Dealer Connecticut.  One of the original icon green cars to be released stateside is having problems keeping up its annual sales; the Smart For Two is continually having decreasing sales.  The main reason sales are down is that there are so many hybrids on the market and people typically need more than two seats.  Think of the little sports car from Birmingham Nissan Dealers; we would be willing to bet that the sales of the less versatile vehicle don't compare to their popular Altima model. 

So what exactly are the numbers for the Smart For Two sales in the United States?  Well, they don't compare to the success of the sporty engine line up at Sarasota Mazda Dealer!  In 2008, there were 25,000 units of the small car sold in the United States, and it is expected that sales for 2010 will only be about one third of that!  On the global market, there were 114,000 sold in 2009 but it is only anticipated that 100,000 or so will sell this year!  As the popularity and variety of small efficient cars increases, the limited variety that Smart offers its consumers is hurting its sales.  There has been no innovation recently and the car is still only offered as a coupe or cabrio model. 

Summer sales have not done well stateside either.  Compared to July 2009, sales are down by 60.5%, or 560 units.  Looking at global sales for July, there is only a decrease of 20%, meaning that the bulk of the failing sales are coming from the United States.  Daimler has announced that a newly redesigned Smart For Two will be released during the third quarter, and that that is anticipated to increase sales.  If not, though, there is already talk of reviving the Smart For Four.  The car went out of production in 2006, but if sales don't pick up, we will see them on the market again in 2013. 

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Chevy Orlando: Microvan European Style!

Even though the exact numbers for fuel efficiency haven't been released yet, it is too great of news that the Chevy Orlando concept car is actually in production and will be available in European markets in early 2011.  While there are spy cameras leaking pictures of the new microvan, a few details have been released.  First off, the car is only slightly longer than the Chevy Cruze by about three inches, but still much smaller than the Chevy Silverado.  Secondly, the car will likely not be available at San Diego Toyota or any other U.S. dealership as the car is set to be sold in Europe, Asia, and Canada.  Maybe some Americans that live in the northern United States will sneak a peek at some of the ones that Canadians have purchased and occasionally drive down to the states. 

The line up at Alberta Mazda Dealers offer some great choices, and even the Mazda5 resembles the Chevy Orlando.  We first saw this concept car in the making back in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show.  There are some rumors that we will see this car in the United States, but that is only likely if gas prices go back above $4 per gallon.  Right now, the Equinox and Traverse are meeting the needs of the minivan market in America and also giving drivers the fuel efficiency they crave.  There will be two models of the Orlando available: the 1.8 liter four cylinder regular gas engine with 141 horsepower or the diesel 2.0 liter engine with 131 or 163 horsepower. 

The Orlando offers a long list of unique features that will make drivers love driving this car.  There is the ability to seat seven passengers in three rows of seating, and the second and third rows are elevated in theater style so everyone can see clearly out the front window.  Chevrolet even made a special holder for your MP3 player that will charge it while you are listening to it.  All trim levels come standard with air conditioning and electronic stability control.

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