Smart Unveils Petite Pickup Truck
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What’s the best way to America’s heart? Build a pickup truck.
At least that’s what the Germans are hoping.
Mercedes-Benz’ little sister brand smart (lowercase ‘s’ intended) will debut what may be the world’s smallest pickup truck at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Called the smart for-us, the tiny two seater is admittedly a tounge-in-cheek concept of an ultimate urban cargo carrier.
Short enough to fit between the axles of a Ford F-150, the for-us has electric drive, an electric tailgate and outlets to charge two of smart’s upcoming electric e-bikes in the bed. There's no rearview mirror. Instead, it has a mounting point for a smartphone that links to a rear-facing camera in the back of the vehicle.
Read: 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The once independently marketed smart brand has seen a steady decline in sales since was launched in the United States in 2008, leading to it being absorbed by Mercedes-Benz USA earlier this year. Only 1,942 cars have been sold through November 2011.
Perhaps a truck isn’t such a bad idea. It sure can't hurt.