Mercedes is giving up on the not-so-Smart Car, citing “declining micro-car market” in the U.S. and Canada.
U.S. Smart sales in 2018 plunged 58 percent from a year earlier to 1,276 cars.
What’s interesting about this is that Smart became electric-only in 2018.
Yet another example of the lack-of-demand for EVs, even when they are massively subsidized and their manufacture mandated (de facto, via “zero emissions” vehicle production quotas).
Which brings up another interesting thing.
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Mercedes is going to bring a series of electric cars to market next year. Beginning with the EQC, a compact electric crossover SUV. It is the first of at least ten new electric Benzes scheduled for deployment.
Apparently, lesson not learned.
Of course, the not-so-Smart Car was hobbled by its two-seater (and not much cargo space) layout, which made it impractical for most people.
But the real problem – with EVs in general – is that they’re functionally and economically gimped relative to IC cars.
“Green” or not they cost too much for most people and so aren’t persuasive on the economic merits.
