No more parking woes
The Mercedes Car Group will be releasing the Smart car, which is a vehicle that is under nine feet long, in the first quarter of next year, but as preparation for its rollout, this remarkably diminutive vehicle is already doing rounds in the Bay Area of San Francisco today.
With the Smart Car’s mileage, which is 40 mpg, and petite parking profile, the Mercedes Car Group is hoping that it will be a big hit in the San Francisco area as well as throughout California. Under nine feet from its tip to taillight, the Smart car is available for drive tests at the San Francisco Mercedes Benz branch from lunchtime until 7 p.m. These drive tests, however, are only intended for dealers and invitation-holder. In Walnut Creek, drive tests of the Mercedes-made Smart car, which are intended for the general public, is also available at the Whole Foods this Sunday.
“This is the first time the cars are coming to the United States,” said Ken Kettenbeil, spokesman for distributor Smart USA, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group Inc. (PAG). “The Bay Area is a large market for us. Californians are very trendsetting. Fuel economy is important here.”
The parking woes-answer Smart cars will be available in 36 countries. The United States will have a nationwide total of 50 to 75 dealerships of Smart Cars. In the San Francisco’s Bay Area, about three to five stores will be placed.
The exactly eight feet and 9.6 inches long Smart car has been seen as the answer for parking woes of San Franciscans.
“Parking in North Beach is consideration No. 1,” said Yana Ronin, who test-drove a Smart car.