Quote:
Originally posted by DamageX
The A class was introduced on the market, sold some units and failed miserably in all car tests, and subsequently got pulled.
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you are wrong there. the A class is alive and selling quite well. if it wasn't, BMW had no need to start a product like the 1 series, they could just stick with the Mini as their entry model. the failed tests you mention did lead to quick updates and adding some extras while they were at it.
http://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/pc/pc...model=a_class&
Quote:
Originally posted by DamageX
I could be wrong, but my knowledge of this is that Mercedes hired Hajek to design the Smart.
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some old articles, when it was still the Swatch car:
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9704/19/germany.smart.car/
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m.../article.jhtml
and calling it a joint venture with MB:
http://www.rediff.com/business/2000/apr/25swatch.htm
the fact that today Smart cars are associated with MB helps their sales and isn't exactly worked against. AFAIK, MB dealers own the outlets for Smarts in most places.