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More Smart Talk! Dieter's Photo Says "Bring it On"

I've got more news on smart today! This time the article is from Edmunds. The overall discussion was regarding Dieter Zetsche's hopes and dreams for Mercedes. Dieter describes Mercedes quality reputation as being like a "savings account" and that quality woes have "withdrawn" from that account. I wonder how long it took him to think up that metaphor? How many customers have "withdrawn" their intent to purchase another Mercedes? I guess he's "banking" on the fact that things are supposedly getting better and there will be renewed "interest"? Oh no...I'm out of control. Okay, now to the smart news. Dieter once again throws his support being the smart team's turnaround plan and he's giving them until 2007. 2007 would also be the earliest that smart could come to the US. The three horseman of the smartpocalypse would be 1. The next generation of smarts that meet US standards. 2. A model that would generate enough interest/volume. 3. Satisfy the business model. What exactly the "business model" is would be anyone's guess--but I think exchange rate is in there somewhere. Dieter also admits that when it comes to hybrids "others were there first" and that the fellowship of the battery (GM, Mercedes, BMW) hopes to have hybrid models out on the market soon. I could go on, but at this point I'm just going to link over to Edmunds as I'm pun'd out.