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Making Smart fortwo Smarter: Help an MBA Student re-Launch SmartCar in North America!
Smartcar owners can you please help me out ?!!! How can we get an innovative product such as Smart fortwo parked on every driveway in America? I've got a few questions to help me figure it out. Your answers are appreciated so much, and it's a huge help for me as I think about Smarrt fortwo in my Innovation and Design Strategy class. Please share your thoughts!
1) What appeals most to you about the design of the Smartcar?
2) Do consider yourself an early adopter? Was that important in your buying
decision?
3) What does it feel like to drive the car? Where & how frequently do you drive?
4) Do people ask you questions about your car? What is asked most often?
5) Do you consider the car a reflection of you in any way?
6) What frustrates you about Smartcar? Could that be changed in some way?
7) Would you buy another Smartcar? If no, why not?
8) Why do you think the Smartcar has not been more widely adopted?
9) What is the most creative way you ever used the Smartcar or the space?
10) Have you customized your vehicle in any way?
11) How did you first learn about the vehicle? Do you participate in any groups
or clubs besides 451 smart fortwo? Do you relate with or feel connected to other drivers?
12) What animal does the car remind you of? How would you describe the shape.
13) What do you wish you had know at the time of purchase that you found out
later on?
14) Other than the engine, what part of the car (dashboard, frame, wheels, seats,
steering wheel, etc) do you think designers spend the most time working on?
Tags: adopter, american, commuter, design, environmental, innovation, market, reflection, sales, strategy, More…
Views: 72
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by George Oller on -
I have had mine three years. How long have you had yours?
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Permalink Reply by Matt V on -
I'm only an enthusiast! I'm doing a academic study on Smart fortwo for school. From owners and other enthusiasts, I'm trying to gather thoughts so I can understand where the car is strong and where it could be improved. The goal is to write a business plan that helps the car achieve further prominence and visibility in the US market. I'd look forward to any thoughts or suggestions you may have! Check out any of my 14 questions above and feel free to respond to those that interest you! thanks, Matt
George Oller said:I have had mine three years. How long have you had yours?
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Permalink Reply by Sandi Turner on -
1) What appeals most to you about the design of the Smartcar?
It's size.
2) Do consider yourself an early adopter? Was that important in your buying
decision?No
3) What does it feel like to drive the car? Where & how frequently do you drive?
I love driving it. Take it to work everyday and anywhere I chose to go close by or far away. Drive it in all seasons, including Canada's winter.
4) Do people ask you questions about your car? What is asked most often?
I get lots of questions. Mostly about gas and mileage.
5) Do you consider the car a reflection of you in any way?
Yes, it is a fun car. It makes people smile and I like making people smile.
6) What frustrates you about Smartcar? Could that be changed in some way?
Tires, I have had two very expensive trips that ended in tow trucks all because of tires. Need more places to have it serviced.
7) Would you buy another Smartcar? If no, why not?
Most definately...hardest decission will be colour
8) Why do you think the Smartcar has not been more widely adopted?
People do not think that it is safe, only seats 2, not good for kids.
9) What is the most creative way you ever used the Smartcar or the space?
I dress it up as Rudolph for Xmas and a bunny for Easter.
10) Have you customized your vehicle in any way?
Not yet
11) How did you first learn about the vehicle? Do you participate in any groups
or clubs besides 451 smart fortwo? Do you relate with or feel connected to other drivers?Saw it on TV. Loved them when I aw them. Would love to join a group but haven't. Smart Car drivers always wave so there is a connection.
12) What animal does the car remind you of? How would you describe the shape.
Mine is yellow, so although it's not an animal, I relate it to a Bubble Bee. It is kinda square.
13) What do you wish you had know at the time of purchase that you found out
later on?Nothing
14) Other than the engine, what part of the car (dashboard, frame, wheels, seats,
steering wheel, etc) do you think designers spend the most time working on?Frame, it is suppose to be very safe.
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Bishop on -
Design: It looks so different than anything else on the road. Early adopter: Yes! Not important is buying decision. Love driving it in the city - a little leery on the highway. I drive it to and from work every day and on any errands that don't require hauling people or heavy/big purchases. People ask how many MPG she gets - how I like driving her. The Smart car is a reflection of me in that I like fun things. Frustration is getting from stop to 1st - sometimes she's iffy. Yes I would buy another Smar. I've seen no advertisement of the Smart on TV. Most people ask me what it is. Never heard of it. Also - those who do know about the Smart typically stereotype against smaller vehicles. My license plate is EPANTS. :O) I first saw the Smart at a 2008 car show and fell in love with it. Reminds me of the blowfish. LOL Love it!
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Bishop on
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Rudolph? Sweet! Do you have a picture?
Sandi Turner said:1) What appeals most to you about the design of the Smartcar?
It's size.
2) Do consider yourself an early adopter? Was that important in your buying
decision?No
3) What does it feel like to drive the car? Where & how frequently do you drive?
I love driving it. Take it to work everyday and anywhere I chose to go close by or far away. Drive it in all seasons, including Canada's winter.
4) Do people ask you questions about your car? What is asked most often?
I get lots of questions. Mostly about gas and mileage.
5) Do you consider the car a reflection of you in any way?
Yes, it is a fun car. It makes people smile and I like making people smile.
6) What frustrates you about Smartcar? Could that be changed in some way?
Tires, I have had two very expensive trips that ended in tow trucks all because of tires. Need more places to have it serviced.
7) Would you buy another Smartcar? If no, why not?
Most definately...hardest decission will be colour
8) Why do you think the Smartcar has not been more widely adopted?
People do not think that it is safe, only seats 2, not good for kids.
9) What is the most creative way you ever used the Smartcar or the space?
I dress it up as Rudolph for Xmas and a bunny for Easter.
10) Have you customized your vehicle in any way?
Not yet
11) How did you first learn about the vehicle? Do you participate in any groups
or clubs besides 451 smart fortwo? Do you relate with or feel connected to other drivers?Saw it on TV. Loved them when I aw them. Would love to join a group but haven't. Smart Car drivers always wave so there is a connection.
12) What animal does the car remind you of? How would you describe the shape.
Mine is yellow, so although it's not an animal, I relate it to a Bubble Bee. It is kinda square.
13) What do you wish you had know at the time of purchase that you found out
later on?Nothing
14) Other than the engine, what part of the car (dashboard, frame, wheels, seats,
steering wheel, etc) do you think designers spend the most time working on?Frame, it is suppose to be very safe.
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Permalink Reply by Stuart Tinker on
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1) What appeals most to you about the design of the Smartcar? - The style and size.
2) Do consider yourself an early adopter? Was that important in your buying
decision? - No3) What does it feel like to drive the car? Where & how frequently do you drive? - It's fun and peppy to drive. I drive it daily in the summer, but store it in the winter. I store it only because of the amount of salt used on Maine roads during the winter.
4) Do people ask you questions about your car? What is asked most often? - The most common question is about the mileage. I have also had 5 or 6 people ask if it is electric, this while I am pumping gas!
5) Do you consider the car a reflection of you in any way? - Not really.
6) What frustrates you about Smartcar? Could that be changed in some way? - There are two things that I consider wrong with the car. The first is the transmission is very hash on the shifts when driven as an automatic. Driving as a manual, it can be shifted very smoothly. The second is the ride is extremely stiff. With such a short wheelbase it's somewhat understandable, but I think it could be corrected to give a smoother ride.
7) Would you buy another Smartcar? If no, why not? - Yes I would.
8) Why do you think the Smartcar has not been more widely adopted? - It is priced too high and has too few dealers available. It is not a good fit as a second line in Mercedes dealerships for a couple of reasons. A Mercedes salesperson will look down on a Smart customer, and the technicians will not want to work on it when they are used to Mercedes. Also, the labor prices most Mercedes dealerships charge is way too high for the Smart brand.
9) What is the most creative way you ever used the Smartcar or the space? - We were the escort for a 5K road race.
10) Have you customized your vehicle in any way? - No
11) How did you first learn about the vehicle? Do you participate in any groups
or clubs besides 451 smart fortwo? Do you relate with or feel connected to other drivers? - I first saw the cars in London in 1998 ust before the official launch, and knew immediately that I wanted one.12) What animal does the car remind you of? How would you describe the shape. - Sorry, no real thoughts on this.
13) What do you wish you had know at the time of purchase that you found out
later on? - That daytime running lights and cruise control would be offered later. (Mine is a 2008)14) Other than the engine, what part of the car (dashboard, frame, wheels, seats,
steering wheel, etc) do you think designers spend the most time working on? -The overall concept of getting the size right.
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Permalink Reply by Matt V on
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Smart fortwo Friends,
Your perspective as been awesome and I appreciate it so much. I think my professor will be blown away by the community around this product. If anyone else cares to chime in with their thoughts, it would help me round out this experience survey. My professor is looking for at least 10 responses to qualify my take-aways from this survey so please help!Best, Matt
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