With astronomical fuel prices, auto manufactures are complying with consumer demands by introducing more fuel-efficient cars. The car looks like it has nothing bare essentials, with no trunk or front engine space. Although the car may have passed crash tests at low speeds, crashes at highway speeds could be more deadly than in a mid size automobile.
Crash videos online show the smart car going up against a mid size vehicle. After seeing the results of the crash I would not even want to step foot in a Smartcar. The car was tossed off the hood of the on coming vehicle. It looked like the Smartcar had shattered, while the other car had insignificant damage to the engine only. Since the Smartcar has no hood, there is little protection in a head on crash, or any crash what so ever.
In order to avoid substantial future losses due to lawsuits and loss of income, the smart car needs to have above average safety features. These features need to protect passengers where most cars would not. Thus, consumers would feel the value of driving a smaller car and not have to worry about their safety. If Diemler Benz were to not meet these standards, then consumers would shy away from buying the Smartcar.
Smart cars are popular in Europe, where there are many narrow streets. In contrast this is not the case in American suburban/rural cities, since the roadways are completely different. More traveling is done on highways, and if you are trusting the safety of a small compact car to protect you in a crash thing again. There comes a fine line between getting better fuel economy and passenger safety, and the Smartcar in my opinion is well below this line. Until further improvements in technology (hybrids/electric), that we can have better fuel economy and still maintain the same level, if not better, of safety.
Links:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/smart-car.htm
http://www.spike.com/video/crash-test-shows/3151924
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