Smart Cars

A response from the office of smart cars, regarding when these cars will be available for sale in Canada.
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Dear Mr. Gagnon,

Thank you very much for your email and interest in our smart cars.
You asked us when the smart cars will be available in Canada.

From the 4th quarter of 2004 smart will enter Canada as the first market in the Northern part of the Americas. At first the smart fortwo coupé und fortwo cabrio with cdi-engine with the innovative three-Liter-technique or „60 miles per gallon vehicle“ will be presented. Sales of the first models in Canada will go through the existing Mercedes-Benz dealer network. This decision was announced by Marcus Breitschwerdt, President of Mercedes-Benz Canada, at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

The smart fortwo cdi is the most succesfull and most sold three-liter-car in the world. It has been part of the smart product range since 1999. The 800cc turbo-engine used in the fortwo provides 41 bhp and is the smallest diesel engine with Common-Rail-Technology in the world.

We thank you again for your interest.

Kind regards,

Your team of the smart infocenter

<p>Well it looks like I found the next vehicle to buy. I have two years left on my current car, which I may double the payments to have it done in a year. If I can do this I should be able to get one of these enviromental friendly cars. <p>Its nice to see the price of this car is reasonable. In this article I'm going to share with you, shows the possible Canadian price for these cars are between $16,000 and $20,000. <p>I thought that a car this small with have many safety issues, but it the safety of the car is actually pretty good. <p><a href="http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/040212-2.htm">Smart Cars News</a> <p>Hey if anyone ever sees one of these cars in Toronto, can you please do me a favour and review it over like your going to buy it and get back to me We don't have a mercedes dealer here so I won't get to see one. I'll have to go to Toronto and buy this car. Kevin Kevin

Canada should have a nationalized car-company, and consider using Ballard to help develop the car.

Thanks for the post Kevin, I've been looking into these as well, they make sense, but I didn't know they would be priced so reasonably...good news!

Whelan,

I was surprised at the price also. You know I wonder if we can even get some kind of tax brake with buying one of these cars? Isn't there some kind of incentive from the government when you purchase something like this?

Kevin

Not that I'm against paying tax on a vehicle. But I do see it as a good move if they were to make the first year or two as a tax free incentive for people to buy these cars. It would make sense.

Kevin

Kevin I agree, that would be a smart move on the part of the gov. But if we keep immitating the U.S. the tax breaks will be on the gas guzzlers! Really though I don't care, the info I received says I won't be dependant on gas, or very little and I won't be polluting so that impresses me.

Yah I think these cars use Diesel. I should mention that even though they use Diesel it doesn't mean these cars are going to be noisy. I've actually heard a Diesel VW car and I thought it was a gas vehicle, but it was Diesel. They have a way of making the Diesel engine sounding quite. This Smart Car only uses 3.8 litres per 100km.

Kevin

<br> <br> <p><b>Ottawa Urged To Enforce Auto Fuel Efficiency Toronto Star</b> <p>The Canadian government should follow the lead of several American states and legislate higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars rather than leave it to automakers, environmentalists say.<br> <a href="http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1078660864436&call_pageid=968332188854&col=968705899037">Continue reading...</a> <p><b>Experimental Car Is Powered By Air </b> <p>Detroit Free Press <p>In an industrial park a few miles from Nice on the French Riviera, Guy Negre has developed an environmentalist's dream car.<br> <a href="http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/aircar18_20040318.htm">Continue reading...</a>

I want this car too, but it will be many years likely before I buy any car. If I do, it will be one like this or a hybrid.

I'll miss gasoline cars like the Dodge Viper some day.....oh well.

Perturbed,

If you like sporty, look at the Roadster smart car on that site. Its a nice sporty car, I think. Accept that isn't the car that will be available in Canada anytime soon. Its only the fortwo coupe and fortwo cabrio.

Kevin

Diesel cars are a good compromise too, especially if Biodiesel is used.

I thought this fortwo coupe model was diesel but it takes premium unleaded. Either way though the fuel efficiency is amazing. It does something like 3.5 litres to every 100km.

Kevin