May 16, 2008 9:58 pm US/Central
Tiny 'Smart' Car In Huge Demand As Gas Prices Soar
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Many drivers looking for relief from soaring gas prices are turning to new kinds of vehicles.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakely report the success of the Smart car may be the ultimate proof that Americans no longer believe bigger is better. It was a surprise even to some of the two-passenger car's dealers.
"On Saturday, our busiest day, we've had people lined up out the door to take a test drive in the vehicle," said Mike Loeber, a Smart car dealer.
And it's inspired love among its owners.
"It makes me happy to get up and go to work," said Smart car owner Mark Weiland. "And I can't wait to leave work and drive home."
Less than 9 feet long and just 5 feet wide, the cute, quirky car has become a runaway hit after gas hit $4 a gallon.
Henry Stein got his three weeks ago and said, "Right now, l'm getting 40 miles per gallon at $4.15 for premium. That's not so bad."
And concerns about safety crumbled, so to speak, when the Smart car received high marks in crash tests. That led Illeana Morales to take a test drive.
"To be so compact, it has everything a luxury vehicle has," Morales said.
For shoppers like Ryan Croke, it might be the perfect car – if only he could get one. There's a year-long waiting list.
"I was really disappointed," Croke said. "It would be nice if they were more readily available."
Nice, perhaps, but for Mercedes-Benz's manufacturer, not nearly so smart.
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