Headed into work, I saw this rather large, older guy in a SmartCar and I began to ask myself some questions... The first question I asked myself is "Where is the trunk? I couldn't carry anything in that." I immediately followed that up with "Why did this huge guy buy this car that's about the size of his t-shirt?" And then I asked myself a real question: "If a younger black man showed up to his date's house in that car, how long would it be before the thought 'Oh H*LL naw!' popped into her head?" Not that she would say it, but the thought would probably happen.
True enough, its good on gas and it gets the job done by safely transporting a person or two from one area to another... but I wonder how many women of color would look at this fact and say "Now, there's a man who is financially and environmentally conscious. I think he will be a good father to my kids..." (kids who, by the way, couldn't fit in the car as it has no back seat)? It would be different if the cars were attractive, but they aren't. I know there are women out there who really care about the environment and stuff, so the car could possibly earn some cool points in certain crowds, but I can't honestly say I know a lot of them who wouldn't pay just as much attention to the guy in the hybrid Honda - which has a trunk AND a back seat.
In all honesty, there's nothing wrong with the SmartCar. But something about a man choosing it when they can afford other, possibly just as efficient, cars just screams "I'm single, I have no kids under the age of 30, and I want to stay that way..." I couldn't do it...
I'm just rambling tho... Enjoy your day! *straps on helmet and rolls off into the sunset on a Segway*