The Stuttgart-based company will soon be bringing fully electric motoring to China, its third-largest market, where the smart fortwo electric drive will be available before the year is out.

This means that smart will be the first European importer to sell a fully electric vehicle on the Chinese market.

The Chinese government has now given the green light for approval of the zero-local-emission runabout. smart said that in Germany, the electric smart established itself as the market leader among battery-electric vehicles within a very short space of time.

“smart has conquered the hearts of our Chinese customers by storm – they appreciate and love smart because it is the perfect city car,” said Dr Annette Winkler, Head of smart. “By bringing the smart electric drive to the Chinese market we will be the first European importer to introduce a fully electric vehicle in China. Again we are proving our role as the global pacemaker of urban mobility. Our numerous forward-thinking clients in China will be enthusiastic about the smart electric drive`s fabulous driving dynamics.”

After Germany and Italy, China is one of the smart’s main sales markets, with Chinese sales increasing by 43.8 percent in 2012.

The fortwo electric drive’s 55 kilowatt electric motor allows the car to reach 60 kilometer per hour (37.3 mph) in less than five seconds. The 17.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery alloows a range of 145 kilometers (90 miles).

The electric smart is produced at the Hambach plant in France, with an energy accumulator developed by Deutsche ACCUmotive (a joint venture with Evonik) and an electric motor from EM-motive (a joint venture with Bosch).

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This represents an increase of 12.3 percent and the best month ever for the group.

At the conclusion of the first quarter of 2013, a grand total of 7,810 units have been sold through the Mercedes-Benz Canadian retail network.

Mercedes-Benz passenger cars and luxury light trucks recorded the best month ever in the company’s history with a total of 3,412 units sold.

Overall, passenger car sales totaled 1,903 vehicles. This is ahead 9.2 percent for the month, and was fueled by solid B-Class, C-Class and E-Class sales.

On the luxury light trucks side, a total of 1,509 units were sold. This represents an increase of 13.4 percent compared to March 2012. Vigorous demand for the new GLK 250 BlueTEC (diesel) helped boost GLK-Class deliveries by 45.1 percent in March.

The diesel take rate for luxury light trucks was 64.7 percent for the month, while permanent all-wheel drive 4MATIC units accounted for 80.4 percent of overall passenger car and light truck sales in March (excluding smart).

The small urban smart car reported a total of 111 vehicles sold in March, which equates to a 42.3 percent increase when compared to the same time period last year.

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Per Mercedes-Benz, the newest generation of the smart fortwo electric drive is now bringing local zero-emissions mobility to the U.S.

The electric-powered urban two-seater will have a starting price of $25,000.

The lithium-ion battery gives the smart fortwo electric drive a range of up to 145 kilometers and is completely recharged in six hours. The 55 kilowatt (75 horsepower) electric motor is, according to smart, fast off-the-line and accelerates the car from 0 to 60 kilometer per hour (37 mph) in 4.8 seconds.

With a top speed of 125 kilometer per hour (78 mph), the smart fortwo electric drive is suitable for urban highways.

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smart electric vehicles will include the smart fortwo electric drive and the all-new smart ebike.

The smart fortwo electric drive coupe will start at CDN$26,990 while the electric drive cabriolet will be priced from CDN$29,990.

smart Centers across Canada are already taking orders, and the first cars will be delivered in the spring.

A third electric vehicle to wear the smart badge will be available this summer with the launch of the smart ebike. Priced from CDN$3,240, smart said its ebike is ideal for city use and blends an unconventional design with high technology standards to create a fun and functional urban transportation solutionthat offers the comfortof a power-assisted two-wheeler and the easy handling of a bicycle.

The third generation smart fortwo electric drive’s electric motor provides 96 pound-feet of torque and 55 kilowatt. On a full charge, the 17.6 kilowatt-hour battery enables the smart electric drive to travel around 138 kilometers (86 miles) in city traffic without producing any local emissions.

smart said the next generation smart fortwo electric drive features a refreshed exterior appearance with dynamic new styling cues that include a larger grille, LED lights, revised bumpers and wider door sills.

The extensive list of standard comfort features includes air conditioning, power windows, heated seats, and electrically adjustable heated mirrors.

The smart ebike will, according to the German company, introduce a practical and clever mode of power-assisted transportation on two wheels when it is launched in mid-July. The main components of the smart ebike such as the lightweight frame, battery housing, handlebars, LED lights and mudguards have been designed and developed specifically for smart.

The rider has the flexibility to decide how much power he or she wants the 250 watt electric motor to deliver by pressing a button on the handlebar. Depending on the power level selected and the cycling cadence, a battery charge can last for more than 100 kilometers (62 miles). The portable, 423 watt-hour lithium-ion battery can be charged either at a normal socket or while riding.

The maintenance-free rear-wheel hub motor also becomes a generator when the rider brakes which recuperates and stores braking energy.

“As a pioneer of intelligent urban mobility, it is absolutely fitting that smart will yet again set the benchmark by positioning the highly sophisticated, third generation smart electric drive as the lowest priced electric vehicle in Canada and by launching the all new smart ebike,” said Tim A. Reuss, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. “The new smart fortwo electric drive has garnered significant attention since its official debut earlier this year, and I am extremely pleased that the pre-ordering program we introduced has generated a lot of excitement at our dealerships in anticipation of next year’s official launch. We will continue to demonstrate the many benefits that the smart e-portfolio will offer customers through a national summer tour, and look forward to making these game-changing products available to eager customers from coast-to-coast.”

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The car sharing company is expanding its operations in British Columbia, Canada, to meet the growing needs of its more than 23,000 members.

Today, car2go will launch in the City of North Vancouver and add 50 additional car2go edition smart fortwo vehicles to its network.

The car2go Home Area in B.C. will expand from its existing area in Vancouver to include the City of North Vancouver.

“The City of North Vancouver is very pleased to welcome car2go as a new business in our community,” says Mayor Darrell Mussatto. “I applaud their commitment to providing our residents with a sustainable transportation option through this carsharing program.”

car2go originally launched in Vancouver in June 2011 with 225 car2go edition smart fortwo vehicles and a total of 2,000 members.

The company said there are more now than 23,000 car2go members in Vancouver, and collectively there have been more than 825,000 car2go trips taken throughout British Columbia.

To meet the growing membership demands, a total of 450 car2go edition smart fortwo cars will now be available throughout the Home Area. A pop-up car2go shop will be located in Lonsdale Quay (92-123 Carrie Cates Ct, North Vancouver).

The New car2go Vancouver Home Area

car2go said it has worked with the City of North Vancouver to maintain the same parking agreements throughout the expanded Home Area.

Free curbside and dedicated parking spots are located throughout numerous specially marked locations in the car2go Home Area. The entire list of car2go parking spots can be found by consulting this pdf.

Beginning February 22, the car2go Home Area will include the City of North Vancouver and will extend to the following boundaries:

North: E 29th Street (North Vancouver)

East: Trans-Canada Highway (North Vancouver); Renfrew Street (Vancouver)

South: 49th Ave (Vancouver)

West: Capilano Road (North Vancouver); UBC (Vancouver)

A special car2go North Vancouver launch celebration will be held at Boston Pizza Esplanade (88 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver) on Saturday, March 2, and Sunday, March 3, between 11:30AM-7PM.

A limited-time promotion (use code NORTHVAN) offers $10 registration and comes with 30 free minutes of drive time.

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2011 Update

For 2011, the Smart ForTwo has been slightly refreshed. Under the hood, the 70 horsepower 1-liter three-cylinder engine and Smart’s “automated manual” five-speed transmission remain unchanged.

On the outside, the profile also hasn’t changed, but the front fascia has undergone minor cosmetic work to accommodate optional LED daytime running lights. Inside, there’s a new a three-spoke steering wheel, the dash has been restyled and features a redesigned instrument cluster, while two gauges—a tachometer and a clock—are now standard. Audio equipment has been updated with the standard system now including USB and auxiliary inputs plus, a new optional new multimedia system incorporates, navigation, audio, Bluetooth and an iPod interface. Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices are: Pure coupe, $12,490; Passion coupe $14,690; Passion Cabriolet, $17,690.

There are two new Smart ForTwo pure electric versions for 2011, a coupe and a cabriolet. Also known as the Smart ED, the first delivery was made in January as part of a 250 nationwide lease pilot program. Smart.

For the near future, the company is also working jointly with Nissan on a four-seat, five-door hatchback Smart model that will land in the U.S. before the end of this year. That car will feature a manual as well as Smart’s current automatic transmission. A second line of products is also being developed jointly between Daimler and Nissan-Renault and could arrive mid-decade.

2010 Review

The Smart ForTwo is the most efficient gas-powered car sold in the US. (Hybrids, which run on a combo of gas and electricity, are the only cars that beat the Smart on MPG.) With a combined city/highway fuel efficiency rating of 36 mpg, the Smart ForTwo deserves at least a passing consideration from a green-leaning car buyer.

But while the Smart ForTwo is loaded with personality and has a few key advantages—mostly related to its low price and small size—it simply requires too many compromises in ride quality, safety, comfort and cargo space to make it the right solution for most drivers.

When Daimler brought the Smart ForTwo from Europe to the US in 2008, it seemed perfectly timed for $4 gas. Many auto reviewers embraced the Smart ForTwo as a sea change. Automobile Magazine said, “It’s about pure efficiency. It’s about taking up less real estate on the road and parking lot, using less foreign oil to commute back and forth to work and therefore producing fewer toxic emissions, and it’s about joining a new and growing awareness that our world isn’t a perpetual energy machine.” In fact, the Smart ForTwo’s tagline is: “Open your mind to the car that challenges the status quo.”

Early Novelty Points

Reviewers praised the diminutive car for its head-turning cuteness and a surprising amount of seating comfort (albeit for only two passengers). Road and Track said, “Interior space is far from a problem in the Smart ForTwo. Rather, it’s one of the new city car’s strong points.” Road and Track also praised the Smart ForTwo for its high seating position, good visibility, and Daimler-quality engineering.

For folks living in major urban centers, the Smart ForTwo was recognized as an antidote for the high-blood-pressure-time-wasting exercise of finding a parking space. You can’t beat the Smart ForTwo, which is both the smallest and shortest car on the road, for ease of parking.

Smart also earned brownie points for its innovative and efficient sales approach. Consumers order the car in advance through Smartusa.com by placing a $99 refundable reservation. The car is then shipped to one of 77 Smart dealers. There’s no stocking at the dealership unless a customer changes his or her mind when the car arrives—and “orphans” the order. (Inquire with a Smart dealer to see if they have any orphans on the lot.)

But the love affair with the novel ForTwo didn’t last long. Sales started slowing down in late 2008 (along with the entire auto market and the return of relatively low gas prices), and dealers began offering incentives to entice new Smart customers. Suddenly, what seemed like slight shortcomings of the Smart ForTwo became show-stoppers—pushing small car buyers back to more traditional subcompacts like the
Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Ford Focus—or for a bit more money, the more stylish and capable Mini Cooper.

Big Problems for the Small Car

The key to the Smart ForTwo’s high mpg ratings is its small 1-liter three-cylinder engine that delivers 70-horsepower. That might provide sufficient power for darting about town to run errands, but the Smart’s so-called “automated manual” five-speed transmission, controlled by a single, computer-controlled clutch, is a big problem. Like most reviewers, Bloomberg News said, “The transmission…is so lousy it verges on being a deal breaker…While other manufacturers talk about shifts that take 10ths of seconds, this one feels like tens of seconds.” ConsumerGuide Auto echoed the sentiment: “Acceleration is sluggish from a stop and is plagued by annoying bogging and surging at every shift whether transmission is in manual or automatic mode.” The New York Times quipped, “You could practically squeeze a half-inning of baseball into the maddening delay between the release of one gear and the engagement of the next.”

Reviewers almost unanimously said the ForTwo’s small engine fails to provide adequate highway passing power. Handling and braking received equally low scores. You have to wonder how you would fare with the ForTwo on streets so heavily populated with big pickups and oversized SUVs. The wind from larger automobiles passing by at higher speeds sways the tiny ForTwo, challenging the car’s directional stability and forcing the driver to course-correct.

Despite a decent safety record in Europe and Canada, where the Smart ForTwo has been sold for years, the small car raises safety concerns for most passengers. Daimler tried to correct those issues by using a rigid construction and full-size airbags, innovative crumple zones, specially designed safety seats, seatbelt pretensioners—as well as a hydraulic dual-circuit braking system enhanced with ABS and electronic brake force distribution, plus ESP electronic stability control to keep it pointed in the right direction in slippery situations. The Smart ForTwo even has a hill start control to prevent rolling back when taking off from a steep grade.

Safety might be a matter of perception, although hybrids have consistently earned top rankings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration—while the Smart ForTwo has performed poorly.

Despite its shortcomings, city dwellers will be drawn to the Smart ForTwo. The ForTwo’s most promising habitat is the smaller, secondary metropolitan areas (think Berkeley, California; Madison, Wisconsin; Providence, Rhode Island), where mid-size and compact vehicles roam in abundance, the driving style is less aggressive, and the mindset favors the liberal side.

Coupes in base-level Pure trim come standard with manual windows and mirrors and a fold-flat passenger seat. No radio. Up-level Passion coupes add air conditioning, panoramic fixed sunroof, alloy wheels, and power windows and mirrors. Cabriolets come in Passion trim only, and include a power soft top with a heated glass rear window. The Cabriolet’s top system is slick, well conceived, and sturdy—and use first-rate materials, but commands a $3,000 price premium over the Passion coupe.

Prices are Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) at time of publication and do not include destination charges, taxes or licensing.

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The 2008 launch of the Smart ForTwo—the only conventional gas-powered car rated above 40 MPG on the highway—was well timed for rising gas prices. When gas hit $4 a gallon in June 2008, dealerships had a hard time keeping up with the demand for the Smart car, which represented an innovative fuel-efficient strategy for urban mobility.

Two years later, it’s different story. Smart’s U.S. sales dropped to 577 cars in June, down 48 percent from June 2009. For the first six months, sales fell 61 percent to 3,349 cars.

In an attempt to get its mojo back, Smart USA is now offering a nifty gimmick: the small two-seater can be painted any color you like. “Smart Expressions builds on the innovative smart brand and empowers owners to be creative with their vehicle through a number of personalization choices,” said Jill Lajdziak, president, Smart USA.

Customers can choose from 93 colors or custom-match the car to any color under the sun. Smart also offers 35 designs of laminated vinyl wraps in either matte or glossy. The wraps cost $1,350 plus $300 installation. The program is made possible because the six exterior color body panels can be swapped out at a dealership in about 90 minutes.

The sticker price for the Smart ForTwo, which is available in five trim levels, ranges from $12,000 to $21,000.

Personalization or Electrification?

Sagging sales of the Smart ForTwo have not been helped by persistent complaints that the car’s “automatic manual” transmission bogs down when shifting—making for inconsistent and unpredictable acceleration. The new color options will not solve that problem, not will it alter the economics of the two-seater’s relatively limited functionality and relatively modest fuel economy numbers, considering the car’s diminutive size.

On the other hand, the creation of an electric version of the iconic Smart car—already available in Europe and coming to the U.S. in 2012—could work wonders for the car’s drivability and dramatically shift its value proposition. The current clunky transmission would be replaced with a smooth electric drive. Yes, the cost of the Smart ED would be higher than the gas version, but the lower cost of ownership of running on electric fuel would offer a compelling payback. The small platform is ideally suited to an electric powertrain, which would only enhance the brand’s savvy image of innovative 21st century mobility.

Besides, can you imagine the electricity-themed anti-oil wrap designs that Smart could offer on the Smart ED?

To see a gallery of paint colors and wrap designs for the gas version, visit www.smartusa.com/smartexpressions.

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Automotive News reported this week that Mazda is struggling to bring micro-hybrids to the US. The company says its system, called i-stop, is good for a 10 percent fuel economy improvement in big city driving, but complained that the US Environmental Protection Agency does not account for the system’s benefits in emissions and mileage testing. Could America’s environmental agency be the stumbling block to bringing a technology to market that some observers think should be required as standard equipment?

Europe sees micro-hybrids as a key strategy for reaching stricter emission standards. Industry analysts forecast that micro-hybrids will exceed all other forms of gas-electric technology. More than 1 million vehicles could use micro-hybrid technology in 2010. Strategy Analytics Automotive Electronics Service forecasts that global sales of stop-start micro-hybrid systems will reach nearly 20 million units a year by 2015. Auto supplier Bosch has sold more than a half-million stop-start systems to BMW, which offers the system as standard equipment in its 1-series vehicles. Supplier Valeo—which estimates that in cities, cars spend up to one-third of their time idling at a standstill—announced last year that it agreed to supply 1 million systems to PSA Peugeot-Citroën by 2011.

A micro-hybrid is the simplest kind of gas-electric technology. It is commonly composed of an energy storage device—like a battery—and a beefed-up starter-motor that can also act as a generator. The car’s engine control unit shuts off the engine when the car slows down or comes to a stop. As soon as the driver puts in the clutch, moves the shift lever, or accelerates, the battery powers the starter motor, which quickly switches on the engine. Stopping the engine while vehicle is at idle conserves fuel, but one disadvantage to this type of system can be the noticeable starting and stopping of the engine.

Mazda’s ”i-stop” uses a different approach, restarting the engine through combustion. Mazda’s system initiates engine restart by injecting fuel directly into a cylinder while the engine is stopped, and igniting it to generate downward piston force.

The upcoming 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show will debut the BMW 320d diesel vehicle and Kia Venga, which will both use stop-start. Europe has so many cars with stop-start that the UK’s AutoExpress recently did a “shoot out” comparing the systems. The BMW 320d beat out its competition—including the Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion diesel, Toyota Auris (sold as a Corolla hatchback elsewhere), Mini Cooper, Citroen C2, and Smart ForTwo.

AutoExpress described the BMW 320d’s stop-start performance: “When you come to a halt at a red traffic light, select neutral and take your foot off the clutch. The power is cut quietly, and you’re left to wait in vibration-free silence.”

In the US, it’s the automakers that are silent. General Motors flirted with micro-hybrid technology in its first hybrid pickups, as well as the early version of its Saturn hybrids. But with the discontinuation of the company’s mild hybrids, the US market is lacking a single micro-hybrid.

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In reality, Smart has been working with Brabus on its European ForTwo for years. Daimler is recognized the American success of its Smart ForTwo —and is looking to further propel the standing
of its half-pint urban car. So SmartUSA will produce a Brabus-modified model to the ForTwo lineup beginning in early 2009. And though the variant will bring with it a number of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades, the US ForTwo will retain its current 71-horsepower three-cylinder engine. Thus, efficiency will remain its top priority.

The Brabus ForTwo will offer a custom body kit defined by a black or silver exterior with specialized sill treatments and badging to give the car a unique outward show. The niche ForTwo will be outfitted with an electronically boosted power steering, and a lower, more tightly tuned suspension to increase handling prowess. It will ride on larger, six-spoke alloy wheels with 17-inch tires. The larger rotating mass of these tires may have a slight adverse effect on fuel economy. The Brabus ForTwo will display a new center-mounted dual exhaust designed to intensify the sound of the engine—just for effect.

Inside, the new model will feature black leather seats and steering wheel, metallic dash trim, a newly configured gauge cluster, and bright aluminum pedals.

In European markets, the Brabus ForTwo is upgraded with a 98-horsepower turbocharged engine for increased performance. This model is three seconds faster than the standard model in the zero to 100 kph run. Unlike the upcoming US version, both fuel economy and emissions have been compromised with the Eurospec model.

Only 1,500 Brabus models will be made for the US market. Those who have already reserved
a ForTwo will have the opportunity to upgrade to the Brabus model, even before new customer orders are accepted. Pricing will start at around $18,000 for the coupe and $22,000 for the convertible. That’s approximately a $5,000 premium over standard ForTwo models.

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The newest version of the electric Smart, set for demonstration projects in the US and Germany, will instead use lithium ion batteries
that should give the car close to 100 miles of range. Conversion of the Smart to electric drive is relatively simple compared to most vehicles since its original design incorporates a “sandwich” floor designed to accommodate alternative powertrains. The sandwich design is also critical to the car’s crashworthiness. What Daimler calls “small series” production of the electric two-seater will start at the end of 2009.

Daimler will use the same lithium ion cells for the Smart batteries as the ones found in the company’s hybrid heavy-duty buses. Daimler sees this strategy as a way to amortize the high cost of the batteries and extend the technology. Since the buses are further along—many are in real-world service—proven technology can be scaled down to Smart. Most of the industry is going in the opposite direction—trying to scale up lithium batteries for cars from use in small electronic devices.

The batteries aren’t the only anticipated change in the electric Smart. If and when the electric minicar comes to the US, Daimler is likely to move away from the “Smart ED” name. The letters “ED” are likely to draw a blank for American consumers. The more common “EV”—for electric vehicles—is better known (although mostly to fans of battery-powered cars).

The new generation of Smart EDs could also have new high-tech gear: an onboard charging unit that communicates with a charging station. This could be put to test in the upcoming Berlin deployment, conducted in conjunction with the German utility RWE. According to Daimler, the new charging unit will ensure that the battery is automatically charged with low-priced electricity when the network is not used to full capacity, for example at off-peak times. In other words, the Smart could come equipped with a “smart” charging meter.

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