Covers such topics as buying and leasing; the engine; the exhaust system and emission controls; oil; the cooling, heating, and air-conditioning systems; the drive train, and road safety
The smart story is one of entrepreneurial vision and daring. It is a story of innovation and proof that to be successful, even the best ideas must be appropriate for their time. At Mercedes-Benz, the roots of an automotive concept designed specifically for urban use reach back to the 1970s. The growing problems of inner-city individual transportation, a parking situation which was becoming ever more critical even then, and increasing environmental awareness spurred by the crises of the early 1970s and 1980s, helped position the smart to breakthrough in the early 1990s. Since 1998, a total of 770,000 customers have purchased the first-generation smart fortwo. And, for many, it has become a part of their individual world views. In 2008, the smart comes to North America where it will be distributed by savvy auto magnate Roger Penske. Over 20,000 U.S. customers have placed advance, online reservations for the diminutive car.
The story of smart is an epic tale of genius, inspiration, hope, disappointment, disaster and ultimate triumph. Funky, stylish and fun, smart is the youngest and most exciting brand of car on the market - and it has revolutionised the way we think about cars and the way we use them.It has put much-needed fun back into driving, and even city motorists smile when they're at the wheel of a smart. But it nearly didn't happen atall. The revolutionary design was the product of the genius who invented the Swatch watch, saving the near-bankrupt Swiss watch industry in the process. But these visionary ideas proved too radical and the tiny two-seater almost died at birth when a succession of backers lost their nerve. The sensational story of smart traces the decade-long history of this ambitious project, talking to key figures from every stage of the programme and building a vivid picture of an idea ahead of its time.
Steers buyers through the the confusion and anxiety of new and used vehicle purchases like no other car-and-truck book on the market. “Dr. Phil,” along with George Iny and the Editors of the Automobile Protection Association, pull no punches.
Most young drivers have one goal in mind when they think of getting their own vehicle: freedom. Car ownership is one of life's joys as well as one of its major financial investments. This candid volume offers readers a step-by-step approach for how to choose the best car to suit their needs and how best to plan, research, and budget for the purchase. In today's economically challenging times, students require an opportunity to learn about money management as well as car facts, the choices available, and the importance of safety. Content supports state and national standards on financial literacy.
Is the Smart Car really smart for the environment? What technology makes such a small car safe to drive? Does it use an engine like a regular car? Find out the answers to these questions-and more-in Smart Car! Book jacket.
In Autonorama: The Illusory Promise of High-Tech Driving, historian Peter Norton argues that driverless cars cannot be the safe, sustainable, and inclusive "mobility solutions" that tech companies and automakers are promising us. The salesmanship behind the "driverless future" is distracting us from better ways to get around that we can implement now. Unlike autonomous vehicles, these alternatives are inexpensive, safe, sustainable, and inclusive. Norton takes the reader on an engaging ride--from the GM Futurama exhibit to "smart" highways and vehicles--to show how we are once again being sold car dependency in the guise of mobility. Autonorama is hopeful, advocating for wise, proven, humane mobility that we can invest in now, without waiting for technology that is forever just out of reach.
A step-by-step guide to getting the right car at the best price explores a wide range of available financing options, discussing the buy versus lease alternative, the ins and outs of vehicle pricing, and the negotiation process and dealership experience.
This book outlines proven buying scenarios, clearly explaining the consumer's course of action in simple terms. The complex and sometimes frightening process of car buying is demystified in a comprehensive guide that covers: - How to choose the right car - New/used car-buying strategies - Getting a used car bargain - Avoiding the pitfalls of leasing - How to shop for insurance In addition, Strategies for Smart Car Buyers includes several appendices and a variety of new material to complete the buyer's research process, including: - The acclaimed investigative series, "Confessions of a Car Salesman," relating insider secrets in an entertaining account of two car dealerships - Monthly payment charts and monthly leasing payments - Expanded financing section detailing crucial contract dos and don'ts - Additional commentary throughout text from undercover car salesman Chandler Phillips - More in-depth information on trade-ins and lease-end strategies - Edmunds' latest consumer tool: "Smart Car Buyer" - Bonus section: "Verbal Self Defense" avoiding sales language pitches and traps - New section: "Safely Navigating eBay Auctions"