Smart Shopping

When DaimlerChrysler announced in 2006 that it planned to bring the Smart Fortwo micro car to the United States after nearly a decade in Europe, gas prices had reached about $2.80 a gallon. Now, Americans are paying more than $4 a gallon at the pump, SUV sales are plummeting and consumers are hungry for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

The vehicle is so tiny — its length of 8 feet, 10 inches is about three feet shorter than a Mini Cooper — that it can easily fit tight parking spots. It gets good gas mileage, about 33 miles per gallon in the city and 41 mpg on the highway. The Fortwo does zero-to-60 miles per hour in 12.8 seconds and can surpass 70 miles per hour at times and leave the driver feeling comfortable.

Even without a national advertising campaign, Smart has sold 11,399 vehicles in the United States through June and helped boost Daimler's U.S. sales last month. The Fortwo is within the reach of most car shoppers. A basic version will cost little more than $12,000. A convertible costs around $17,000.