While the Smart Roadster drowns in the shallow waters of a DC-made pond, is a "new product", such as the Smart Fortwo Sunray, really such a bright idea?

While the Smart Roadster drowns in the shallow waters of a DC-made pond, is a "new product", such as the Smart Fortwo Sunray, really such a bright idea?

In the 10 or so years that DaimlerChrysler has been trying to push the quirky Smart range from its sales floors and into people's garages, things have progressively gone from "um, interesting" and "cute" to "over-priced" and ho-hum.

DaimlerChrysler must be kicking itself for entertaining those watchmakers (Swatch) who came up with the bright idea in the first place. A classic example of what could go wrong once watchmakers believe they can build cars. Shame.

The latest in a series of reports on DaimlerChrysler's belt-tightening exercises is that certain Smart models will be getting the boot. Among them is the Roadster, which has been available in South Africa for under two years, and the Formore SUV – it will never experience the thrill of being swept along a production line.

However, reading that another pointless Fortwo, the Sunray, had been launched and would be sold alongside the existing cabrio, was just plain funny. Of course, people would love an expensive little toy that, aside from its red roof and CD player, is exactly the same little toy that we've been force fed for some time. Since the original cabriolet was hideous to start off with, its clone with shocking-pink lipstick definitely won't be making its way onto my "winter must-haves" list at anytime some.

Not that the myriad estate agents and hair salons will be complaining about that - it simply leaves them with more colours to choose from!

Besides, theres the R148 000 price tag. I'd rather invest that amount of money in something more substantial, such as a Clio, Polo or 206, and bankroll a year's supply of monthly spa days with the change. Piling all the girls into the back seat and their toys into the boot would also be a cinch!

Sure, DaimlerChrysler has been riding on the names of its more practised brands, such as Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler, to loan the fledgling company some credibility. But perhaps the Smart vision was too progressive for modern trendsetters, who prefer their cars to be a lot less understated and are definitely prone to the badge snobbery that is the hallmark of vehicle purchasing.

But Smart is not dead yet, and will continue selling the not-so-pretty Fortwo and its more eye-catching Forfour siblings. What has happened to the division is unfortunate, but all is not lost.


Perhaps DaimlerChrysler should cut its losses and send everyone involved with the ill-fated Smart brand on a luxury cruise (to boost staff morale) before issuing their loyal employees with the excess Smart roadsters as send-off pressies. By now, the three Smart Roadsters I've seen about town must be be feeling a bit lonely . . . .

Original article from Car