30,000 People on Waiting List to Buy a Smart Car in U.S.
SAN JOSE, Calif. --- Smart USA executives told USA Today that 30,000 people have paid $99 to be placed on the list to buy a Smart car when they become available in a couple months.
SAN JOSE, Calif. --- Smart USA executives told USA Today that 30,000 people have paid $99 to be placed on the list to buy a Smart car when they become available in a couple months. The tiny car, which looks a lot like a high-end golf cart, gets about 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The 8-foot, 8-inch car has no real hood or trunk. Smart USA is importing the cars from Daimler, which also makes Mercedes. About 800,000 Smart cars have already been sold in 36 countries, including Canada. The model coming to the U.S., however, was designed from the ground up for this market. There will be three versions: Pure ($11,590), Passion ($13,590) and the convertible Passion Cabriolet ($16,590). All are powered by a three-cylinder, 70 horsepower engine. The Smart car will be displayed at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week.
More Fuel

Study: How 2026's Gas Price Hikes Affect Different Vehicle Types
New data from iSeeCars reveals how rising fuel costs have affected different vehicle segments as gasoline prices climbed nearly 46% over the past four months.
Read More →Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →
May Fuel Update: All Regions Experience Declines
Gas prices are finally easing in much of the country, but experts warn global tensions could quickly reverse the trend as the national average remains well above last month’s levels.
Read More →
April Fuel Update: Prices Climb Above $4 as Spring Surge Accelerates
National average jumps to $4.04 per gallon, up sharply from last year, with West Coast prices topping $5 and further increases expected amid rising oil tensions.
Read More →
Tips from Fleet Managers on Saving Fuel Costs
Fleet leaders share practical strategies to reduce fuel spend through smarter policy, routing, and driver guidance.
Read More →
March Fuel Update: Prices Settle With a $4 Average
Fuel prices significantly slowed this week, but a $4 national average is still expected.
Read More →Bob Adamsky on Fuel Volatility: “Don’t Panic — Have a Plan”
With oil prices rising again, AWP Safety’s fleet manager shares how to respond to rising fuel costs and how the right strategy can turn fuel spikes into cost-saving opportunities.
Read More →
Oil Market Turbulence Is Complicating Fleet Cost Planning
Rapid swings in crude oil prices driven by the conflict in the Middle East could create longer-term cost pressures for fleets, affecting fuel prices, supply chains, and vehicle strategy, says NTEA’s Andrew Wrobel.
Read More →
February Fuel Update: Prices Inch Higher for Third Week in a Row
The final February fuel update reveals prices continuing to inch higher for the third week in a row.
Read More →
The 2026 Fuel Economy Guide: Updated Cost and Efficiency Benchmarks for Fleets
Fleet managers can use the DOE’s 2026 Fuel Economy Guide to benchmark MPG across powertrain types using side-by-side vehicle ratings and compare new model-year options.
Read More →