Mercedes Benz joined with Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 1994 to produce the “Smart” brand of very small two-passenger cars for urban markets outside of China.
You still see a few of the “Smart fortwo” models buzzing around, but sales in the United States stopped in 2019 because of a declining demand for such small vehicles. BMW had the better idea for very small cars when it revived the legendary “Mini” brand 2000 and has since sold thousands in America. The cars come in a variety of models and normally seat four people.
I personally think what led to the death of the Smart brand in the United States was the use of a Smart fortwo model driven by the hapless Inspector Clouseau (played by Steve Martin) in the movie “Pink Panther 2.” If anyone as goofy as Clouseau chose a vehicle like the Smart fortwo, then your ownership of one might brand you as being in the same category as the bumbling inspector.
I mention Smart cars because on my way to my temporary job as an election official, I passed by the car in the picture below.
As you can see, the tiny car is squished between the house and a fence on the edge of the street right-of-way. My lumbering GMC Sierra 1500 pickup would have protruded almost halfway to the median of the street if it was parked in the same spot.
And also as you can see in this photo, the vehicle is very well protected by a flotilla of equally small but yappy Chihuahua dogs that made sure I was not welcome when I took the picture. I’m sure these small but fierce dogs can easily fit in the Smart fortwo. Our dog Chester, however, takes up most the entire back seat in our pickup and instead of barking at any dangerous person, he’d be drooling and expecting a treat from them.
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And as a note to my very few readers, my posts will likely be fewer in the next few weeks as I work as a volunteer early voting election clerk. If I have time before or after the days I work, I’ll try to post something if I think it might be interesting to you.
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