Smart Car

I've seen three smart cars in the last week. Mainly in the upper east side and midtown. One was parked vertically in a space where folks normally parallel park. Officially, in New York, this is illegal. But that's one way to pass your driving test. They look like cars owned by real people, not part of some PR stunt and are getting lots of looks. I've seen smart cars in Europe many, many years ago, and so only now, have they broken into the US market. I wonder if these early adopters are in it for the attention, the novelty, the green aspect, or to save gas? Probably all of the above.

According to a recent article in the New York Times, the Fortwo is not more fuel efficient than compact cars a little bigger in size that can hold more cargo. The diesel version, is, but isn't available in the US.