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.

If you were one of the unfortunate kids who never got a Power Wheels for your birthday, you might be in luck thanks to Smart.

You can sound polite and say “inexpensive” but if you’re strapped for cash, the most important question when shopping for a new car is: what’s the cheapest car on the market? AutoGuide has got the answer, along with the nine runners up.

The Smart fortwo might be the butt of jokes Stateside, but the city car has managed to move 500,000 copies worldwide after launching in its second generation four years ago.

Daimler and German chemical company BASF have teamed up to produce the electric Smart Forvision concept vehicle which premiered at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.  The result is a futuristic-looking Smart car with several innovations designed to maximize energy efficiency from the electric drivetrain.

The Smart Forvision concept uses five new technologies designed to conserve as well as generate energy: transparent organic solar cells, transparent organic light-emitting diodes, new lightweight components, plastic wheels and infrared-reflective materials.

The Smart car has sold reasonably well around the world, but it has hardly been the sales success its maker wishes it was. To keep the interest of car buyers, every now and then, it comes up with a special edition model.

With little in the way of new product, Smart is set to debut yet another concept, this time at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Taking design inspiration from the Smart Forspeed concept that was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show, the Forvision concept is a look at just how efficient the rest of the car can be made in order to get the most out of an electric drivetrain. As a result, the Daimler sub-brand has created a concept that focuses on reducing vehicle weight, while also better managing the effects environmental temperatures have on the cabin.

The third generation Smart fortwo is on its way, hitting dealers in the spring of 2012. The electric Smart car will roll off the production line in Hamback, France and will be available in more than thirty markets worldwide when released.

With the e-bike set for production in 2012, Smart takes to two wheels—just in time to tap into the growing two-wheeled market.

Smart is looking to increase its ForTwo sales and perhaps generate some buzz around its lone model by releasing a limited edition Pearlgray version to the European market. (It’s currently unknown whether or not it’ll make its way to the United States).

Smart is planning to produce a successor to its now retired roadster with the new model is set to hit dealers next year. Inspired by the ForSpeed concept (above), which was revealed at the Geneva Auto Show in March, the car is expected to stay true to the 2003 original with the distinctive low stance. Other design highlights are set to include sculpted flanks along with intricate detailing.

What would you like to see happen in the future? That’s the question posted by Smart on Twitter, and they used the resulting answers to decorate a car.

In 140 characters or less, Smart asked people on Twitter what their view of the future was and had illustrator Johanna Basford pen them on a white Smart ForTwo. And there were some pretty interesting ideas out there, Among them were dog-walking robots, hover beds, commuter roller coasters and walking teapot that follows you and gives you a drink.

The concept was challenging, considering that both Twitter and the ForTwo are pretty compact in size. Both had to be taken into consideration when Basford had to draw the tweets.

“I had to try and imagine how [the inventions] might work, then really quickly sketch that out,” she said. “There’s not much time for procrastination. I like the challenge of thinking on the spot and coming up with a simple, yet clear way to draw things.

You can watch the process on video after the jump.

[Source: Wired]

Dubbed Square Style, the tuners over at Vilner has transformed Smart’s ForTwo to interesting new heights. Originally commissioned for a Bulgarian businessman for advertising purposes, Vilner is now willing to offer this transformation to all those interested in making their Smart ForTwo more stylish and flashy.

Even with skyrocketing fuel prices, subcompacts are selling less than their compact counterparts.  The Ford Fiesta was the overall leader in the subcompact department, 9,147 sales but still trailed the larger Focus’  17,265 total sales. Honda Civic sales rose 7% to 26,777 which is more than triple the Fit’s total of 8,116 units in April. Furthermore, the mid-size Accord even managed to outsell the Civic.

Famed Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus, has continued to expand their Smart ForTwo portfolio, this time with a modified cabrio. Called the Brabus La Bleue, the modified Smart ForTwo will be available only in Italy with a limited production of just 60 units.

For all the hype surrounding the Fiat 500, Ford‘s CEO, Alan Mulally, has become one of its most prominent detractors, condemning the car to failure before it’s even launched.

The smart e.d. (electric drive) on the other hand eliminates that problem, because it has no gearbox, so it is smooth all the way.

We’re all familiar with the Smart ForTwo, which is a polarizing vehicle to say the least, but initial impressions of their newest concept, the Forspeed EV Roadster, which debuted at the Geneva Auto Show, are all lining up in one direction, and it’s not exactly positive.

The Forspeed concept is Smart‘s interpretation of a zero-emissions roadster, based on the only vehicle Smart currently builds: its Fortwo city car.

The struggling Smart brand was set to get a potential savior this year with the introduction of a new four-door based on a Nissan platform. That, however, will not happen now, as part of a new agreement where Smart and Mercedes parent company Daimler has taken back distribution of its mini-car from the Penske Automotive Group.

2011 Update: For 2011, the Smart ForTwo has been slightly refreshed. Under the hood, the 70 horsepower 1-liter three-cylinder engine and Smart’s “automated manual” five-speed transmission remain unchanged.

Although the Smart ForTwo hasn’t been warmly received by American buyers, there is hope for the quirky maker of diminutive city cars, as parent company Daimler is backing the brand with new products and utilizing their alliance with Renault-Nissan to give the lineup a boost.

Forget buying your Valentine chocolate – up the ante by getting them a chocolate-themed Smart car.

You can help write the story of the world as you see it using the brand-new Smart iPad app. Now available for download at the iTunes store, this Smart iPad app, called “Ideas in Motion,” offers an interactive history of great visions and visionaries, and it allows you to add your own contributions so you can help write the story with Smart. Then, you story will be added to this eBook so other iPad users can read what you think.

Several design patents of what appear to be a new Smart concept car have popped up online, showing what appears to be a typically unconventional small city car. We’re sorry to get your hopes up, but this is not a successor to the Smart Roadster, but rather a roadster (or cabriolet), inspired by the 2002 Crossblade concept.

Like a lot of people, you may not be willing to take the plunge and buy an electric car. But now, you can rent one from Hertz.

Mercedes-tuner Lorinser is hopping onto the “go green” bandwagon with an innovative new product: an aftermarket hybrid drivetrain.

The Smart Fortwo is the cat’s meow – literally – now that you can plaster the world’s most popular cat all over it (and no, we’re not talking about Garfield).

It’s amazing to see what a design team can do when they don’t have their arms tied by accountants. For the 2010 LA Auto Show‘s annual Design Challenge, automakers were invited to create a vehicle that is good for the environment, attractive and exciting to drive, but it also much be safe, seat four and weigh less than 1,000 lbs.

As a B-segment car, this subcompact fits in a class with models like the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, Mazda2, Toyota Yaris and Chevy Aveo.

Smart had already teased us with the eScooter concept ahead of its Paris Auto Show debut, but with MINI also announcing a similar concept, Smart decided to take its green initiative to a new level – bicycles.

After signing a pact to develop electric cars in April, Daimler has announced that they will expand their alliance with Renault- Nissan, as automakers scramble to bring alternative fuel vehicles to the market.

As part of parent company Mercedes-Benz’s quest to offer “mobility solutions”, Smart is also set to debut an electric scooter concept at the Paris Auto Show, along with rival brand MINI.

You just can’t keep a good idea down. First, they were made for people, next up it was redesigned for pets. Now, they’ve made a Snuggie for the Smart Car.

After an initial surge, sales of Smart cars are dropping off fast. Globally, sales dropped 20 percent in the month of July, with year-to-date sales down 17.4 percent. Declines are led by sales (or a lack thereof) in the U.S., which are expected to drop to a third of the record 25,000 units moved in 2008. In total, just 560 Smart fortwo models were sold in the U.S. in July, reflecting a 70 percent decrease in year-to-date sales for 2010.

Police in Portugal have broken up a theft ring that exclusively targeted Smart Fortwo . The thieves were (not surprisingly) affiliated with an independent Smart repair shop, and the perpetrators had their stash of stripped down cars and spare parts seized as well.

Smart is set to unveil a new type of “single track” vehicle at the Paris Auto Show. The vehicle, described as a “plug in scooter”, and is similar to BMW’s ill-fated C1 covered motorcycle.

How do you stand out from the huddled masses in traffic? If you’ve got a Smart ForTwo, there is a multitude of ways, thanks to their new vehicle wraps.

Holy bling Batman! You’ll need to don sunglasses to marvel at this very special edition of the Smart Fortwo convertible.

It may cost more money to purchase and fill up, but SUVs , trucks and mini-vans are cheaper to insure. This information is coming from a recent government report that based its findings on the fact that some vehicles cost less to fix, and therefore reflects how much it will cost to insure.

Looking like a human-sized version of a Zhu Zhu pet car, Peel Microcars sold their wares for a brief period in the 1960’s, and cars like the Murray T25 and Smart Fortwo seem to be able to trace their lineage back to the Peel.

Powered by a 50cc moped engine, the Peel was not fast and its three-wheeled nature meant that there were some issues regarding how road-legal it could be. But for all its faults, the Peel has attracted an unlikely supporter, and as you’ll see below, he might be on to something.

[Source: Make:]

At a press conference earlier today a new partnership between Mercedes parent company Daimler and Renault/Nissan was announced that will see all three automakers working together to develop new products, while reducing overall costs. The partnership will see the German, French and Japanese automakers work together on future small car projects, engines and commercial vehicles.

German automaker Daimler AG and French car manufacturer Renault have reportedly agreed on a new business strategy that will see both parties create a global small-car alliance, sharing development costs and technology. Details of the deal are set to be announced tomorrow in Brussels with Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche and Renault-Nissan Boss Carlos Ghosn taking part.

As much as the Japanese love modifying and tuning their cars, enthusiasts in the land of the rising sun love to get their hands on a fine German luxury car. While names like Brabus might be known best in Germany, Benz-tuner Carlsson has a huge following in Japan, thanks in part to its smart marketing efforts – like always displaying at the Tokyo Auto Salon.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, CEO of Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler has said that the company will announce a small car partner mid way through 2010. Daimler has been in talks with French automaker Renault, with rumors that the two may partner on a new line of small cars and electric city cars. This partnership could also help produce future Smart models (including a 4-door) as well as future versions of the B-Class and A-Class (shown above).

Official release after the jump:

Daimler has just announced that it has reached an agreement with Tesla Motors Inc., that will see the German automaker gain a 10 percent stake in the California-based electric car maker.

Along with an undisclosed amount of money the agreement will help forge a partnership between the two companies as they work to bring electric vehicles to market in increasingly high numbers.

Tesla has already been working with Daimler to equip 1,000 SMART fortwo models with lithium-ion batteries for use in special test projects in Berlin and Italy. Daimler also plans to introduce an electric Mercedes vehicle by 2010.

As for Tesla, it will gain the engineering, production and supply chain expertise available at Daimler in order to move the upcoming Tesla Model S into production by 2011.

“Our strategic partnership is an important step to accelerate the commercialization of electric drives globally,” said Dr. Thomas Weber, the board member at Daimler responsible for research and development. “As a young and dynamic company, Tesla stands for visionary power and pioneering spirit. Together with Daimler’s 120 years of experience in the automotive sector this collaboration is a unique combination of two companies’ strengths. This mark another important milestone in Daimler’s strategy for sustainable mobility.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk was equally as enthusiastic about the future partnership saying Daimler is on the “leading edge of sustainable mobility.”

“Daimler has set the benchmark for engineering excellence and vehicle quality for more than a century,” said Musk. “It is an honor and a powerful endorsement of our technology that Daimler would choose to invest in and partner with Tesla.”

Official release after the jump:

It’s fashionable nowadays to sneer at big SUV, those wastrels who chug for hours straight from the gas pump. Small is “in” in a big way, whether it’s miniscule phones or new vehicles.

On display at the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto was one of only 10 SMART fortwos that will be built to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the car. And this particular vehicle will be given away to one lucky person. But more on that soon.

Penske Automotive, the distributor of smart vehicles in the U.S., used the LA Auto Show to announce that for 2009 the special Brabus edition cars will be part of its product lineup. Offered initially to current smart owners, the Brabus fourtwo can be had as a Coupe or Cabriolet in either silver or black at a starting price of $17,990 or $20,990, respectively. (A $4,000 premium over the standard production models).

“This car has always been about personal expression,” says Dave Schembri, president of smart USA, “and as we approach our first anniversary of sales in the United States, Brabus adds a new dimension, extending our brand into new areas of customization and personalization.”

The Brabus edition smart fortwo comes with a complete aero-kit including a front lip that is designed to reduce lift on the front axle – giving the car increased stability at highway speeds. Side skirts are also a part of the package as is a new rear bumper with cut-outs for the Brabus exhaust. Most noticeable, however, are the Brabus Monoblock VII wheels in a front 15-inch and rear 17-inch fitment.

Inside there are plenty of other Brabus accessories, like brushed aluminum sport pedals, a Brabus sport steering wheel and Brabus floor mats.

Surprisingly, while the car does have improved shifting and an upgraded suspension that sits 10mm lower thank stock, Brabus did not do any engine tuning – something it is famous for with Mercedes vehicles. Because of this, smart can still market the Brabus fortwo as getting an EPA rated 41 mpg.

Penske also used the LA Auto Show to announce that Brabus accessories for smart vehicles will be sold individually.

A complete list of those accessories can be found after the jump:

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