Smart For-Us Electric Pick-Up Truck is a Niche Within a Niche: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Hollywood comedian John Lovitz was on hand in Detroit to help launch the Smart For-Us pick-up concept at the 2012 North American International Auto Show today.
Smart might have struggled with sales here in the USA with their fortwo model, but globally this eco-minded brand sold over 100,000 units in 2011.
To capture the American market, Smart is hoping that their new For-Us concept, which is billed as an urban-truck will resonate better in our market. This pick-up however is not designed to carry construction workers and their gear to work. No, the For-Us is aimed towards young couples with an active life-style. So if you are looking for a vehicle to carry your mountain-bikes up to your favorite trail, this would do, just as long as that trail is not too far away.
The For-Us is an electric vehicle and uses the same 55kW motor and 17.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack first seen on the all-electric Smart fortwo. Range is thus pegged at 86-miles on a full-charge. Performance numbers are a similar story, its brisk, but not fast. acceleration from 0-37 mph takes about 5-seconds.
Will this vehicle just be a concept? Very likely, but it shows that Smart is trying to expand its customer base and market share.
GALLERY: Smart forus Concept
More by Nauman Farooq
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Perhaps getting into a niche market will enable them to target audiences easier, and to dominate a certain market, like how the Prius dominated the hybrid car market. This looks pretty promising, but Smart is still quite an unknown in the US to make a big splash.
wow!! my hub wonts one!! we have a smart car and he love's it .new he has seen the truck, please make one that is not electric.