Smart Car coming to the US
 

It will be interesting to see if the diesel version ever gets here. The article wasn't specific, so I assume they are talking about the gas version. BTW, I believe you can currently buy the gas version in the US through an importer.

No Smart Diesel in US
 

Nope, only the gas version will be sold in the US. I think this is very shortsighted. Also, I do not know why they stopped making the Forfour - a diesel Forfour would be cool.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/27/automobiles/27cnd-smart.html?hp&ex=1151467200&en=0ab7c9b76a339b6f&ei=5094&partner=homepage

ZAP world is the importer of the gas smart, $20,000+ and 40mpg combined.:( http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/03/zaps_americaniz.html

Once again, DC has missed the boat. If the smart had a blue tec diesel in it and was built state side and sold for the Canadian Base price of $16,500 and got between 60-80mpg, with a 70mpg combined, they wouldn't be stuggling to sell them here.

Watch out for the Japanese, their diesels are comming and they will continue to put a hurting on the German and American car builders.

Humm... choices....

Should I get a $29,000 stripped down gas euro SMART ForTwo from ZAP?

or

Should I get a $16,500 stripped down gas euro SMART ForTwo from DC?

international
 

i work in international shipping and it use to be possible to import
a foreign car. Everyone was granted a once in a lifetime exemption.

I will look into it...

I assume part of the reason DC decided to do this was to shut down ZAP. If they are going to be available in this market, DC wants to be in on it. Now maybe if someone starts importing the diesel version DC will take the hint...

process
 

well if they have diesels in canada then here is the process for importing a car from canada to the US. It is an easier process then importing from the rest of the world...

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/VIG_Canada07032.html

From the article....
"We have not made any decision on a U.S. launch," said Bettina Singhartinger. "You can expect something this week. Until then we do not comment on speculation."
It's not clear if the Smart car would be sold in U.S. Mercedes dealerships, in Chrysler and Dodge dealers or a new dealer network.

"One reason for the profit problems for the Smart brand is a low selling price at that part of the market. The three Japanese sub-compacts coming to the market sell for between $11,850 and $14,000."

The car is already offered in a dealer "network" I guess thats why the ambiguity and non comittal comment. Probably a ton of legalities if DC takes back selling them.

I looked into it a while back, and I think the issue is that the Smart doesn't meet the proper crash requirements.