Too smart for North Americans....

I recently heard a news item about layoff’s and a restructuring of the SmartCar division at DaimlerCrysler. It would seem that, although a novelty in North America and the flavour of the moment for car buyers, the car is not selling as well as expected.

Pity. We can only hope that the company continues to offer this car in North America and doesn’t pull the plug entirely. We need this type of car in Canada because, judging by the price of gas in North Vancouver this week, it could mean something left over at the end of the day for other pursuits.

I was listening to the radio this week as the broadcasters discussed the relative price of gas by the litre in various countries, England…C$1.95 a litre, Australia…C$1.05 a litre for example. But with gas prices hovering at new record highs and the cost of diesel keeping pace, I wonder if businesses will find they can no longer absorb the increased costs. Surely we can expect the cost of everything from the price of a delivered pizza to our children’s school bus passes to rise exponentially, not to mentioned fruits and vegetables at the supermarket!

I for one will consider the SmartCar over the coming weeks. Moving to Bowen Island, with daily ferry commutes my new reality, such a purchase would benefit my pocketbook and surely the environment at the same time.