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Hello Kitty wraps available for the Smart ForTwo

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Smart

Smart ForTwo

The Smart ForTwo gets its Hello Kitty on – Click above to enlarge

The Smart ForTwo and Hello Kitty… who thought it would’ve taken this long for those two to get together? Someone’s prayers have been answered with this, the two-seater wrapped in a vinyl flag of Sanrio’s 35-year-old Kitty that never stops being cute. This is just another addition to the 22 wraps already available via Smart’s Expressions program, and if it gets your attention, it comes in three flavors of its own. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if it’s for you, then follow the jump for all the info.

Gallery: Smart fortwo and Hello Kitty

[Source: Sanrio]

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Hello Kitty wraps available for the Smart ForTwo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Oct 2010 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Pun: Smart builds cardboard ForTwo

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Smart, Design/Style

Cardboard Smart ForTwo

Cardboard Smart ForTwo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Sometimes, the jokes write themselves. Artist Sarah Illenberger has partnered with Smart and the packing gurus at CD Cartondruck AG to build the world’s first ForTwo hemmed in high-quality reusable cardboard. Both the exterior and the interior of the car will be decorated with heaps of the recyclable material, and oddly enough, Smart says that it’s pulling the stunt to disprove the notion that its products aren’t disposable. We’re having a hard time wrapping our heads around that one. The project will also serve to highlight Smart’s infatuation with urban design.

Illenberger plans to use her experience producing art installations for the editorial departments of magazines like Style, Vanity Fair and The New York Times Magazine to create a unique look for the ForTwo. According to the press release, the car will come clad in a pixilated camouflage pattern called Eco-Flage. The creation will be on display at this year’s Paris Motor Show from September 28 to October 17. Hit the jump to see the full press release.

Gallery: Cardboard Smart ForTwo

[Source: Smart]

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No Pun: Smart builds cardboard ForTwo originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Sep 2010 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Banned Smart ad sells using fear of back seats?

Filed under: Convertible, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Smart, Humor

Fear of a Back Seat - Smart Ad

Smart ForTwo preys on your back-seat fears – Click above for video after the jump

Are you afraid of getting into your car late at night, only to look in the rearview mirror and see a face staring back at you that isn’t yours? Don’t lie – we all have those random, irrational fears which are all but unfounded. Capitalizing on just such a fear, Daimler’s Smart produced a commercial which preyed on those fears and closed with a clever tagline espousing the fact that Smart ForTwos don’t have a back seat.

The ad was a huge hit in Germany, where it was originally slated to run during the trailers in movie theaters. It garnered such approval that it eventually made its way into television spots throughout Europe and has now ended up on Youtube as a “banned” ad. As we understand it, though, the ad wasn’t banned, it just never aired in the States. The ‘banned” moniker should help it earn some views, but the commercial is good enough on its own to warrant viewing.

See for yourself after you turn on the lights, check behind you and make the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Smart ForTwo

[Source: The Detroit News]

Continue reading Video: Banned Smart ad sells using fear of back seats?

Video: Banned Smart ad sells using fear of back seats? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback

Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Renault, Rumormill

The internets are abuzz with word that the recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Renault may allow the the long dead Smart Roadster to be revived. The folks at Autocar report that a source within Smart says the company has had its eyes on bringing the roadster back to market for awhile now. Evidently, the purveyor of pint-sized transportation is interested in branching out from its city car roots – something that the recent partnership with Renault just might facilitate. Renault has a host of experience producing inexpensive small cars that Smart just might be able to capitalize on.

Autocar doesn’t say exactly which Renault model Smart would use as the basis for the reborn Roadster, but there is some indication that other products may be part of the company’s plans as well. The article even made mention of a potential Mini Countryman competitor, meaning that Smart is eying jumping into the CUV fray. Either way, any new blood in the Smart portfolio is bound to help. With fuel prices down, American buyers aren’t interested in making the kind of sacrifices that the ForTwo requires, but an ultra-compact convertible? That has some potential.

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Smart Roadster to make a comeback originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Smart to reveal electric scooter at Paris Motor Show

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Smart, Motorcycle, Rumormill, Electric

When you’re already known for producing what basically amounts to the smallest vehicle currently available for public consumption, what do you do for an encore presentation? Go even smaller, of course. In the case of the Smart brand, that means cutting the total wheel count in half. That’s right, a scooter.

According to Autocar, Daimler’s littlest auto brand is planning to debut a new plug-in electric scooter at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. According to a “senior Mercedes-Benz official”:

Smart was originally established to tackle the need for improved mobility, especially in congested city environments. Up to now we have concentrated our efforts on four-wheel solutions. The next stage is to look at how to expand beyond this with other environmentally friendly vehicles.

If true, this electric scooter may be seen as a response to longtime German rival BMW’s efforts in the two-wheeled arena. In fact, BMW recently showed off an electric scooter concept of its own called the C1-E, which was based on its previous production C1 covered scooter.

Just one last question: What are the chances this electric scooter will be called the ForOne?

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Smart to reveal electric scooter at Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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