Smart distributor Pro-Net has announced that it has received 1,000 bookings for the Smart #1, just over two weeks after its launch. The company says this is reflective of the strong interest in the model, which goes up against the BYD Atto 3 and more premium rivals like the Tesla Model Y and Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Order books open since late August
While this figure is certainly impressive, it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. While the #1 was launched on November 21, the order books for the electric SUV has been open since late August, giving the company more than three months to collect those bookings.
Still, it’s not a bad showing—especially as that figure covers Pro-Net’s sales target for the entire year. During the launch of the #1, the company’s CEO Zhang Qiang said it was looking to sell 800 to 1,000 vehicles in 2024 to capture 10% of the total industry volume for EVs.
Warranty, launch packages touted
Pro-Net attributes the high number of orders to several factors, including the ease of booking via the Hello Smart app, a strong sales network consisting of ten dealers located in six states, as well as an extensive warranty package that includes a four-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, an eight-year/200,000km battery warranty, an eight-year/150,000km high-voltage component warranty and a two-year warranty on spare parts.
For a limited time, the company is also offering several benefits for customers, such as a free accessories package worth RM2,000, a 60GB Internet data plan for five years (amounting to 1GB a month) and a free smartCharge AC wallbox charger worth RM3,200. These perks are valid until December 31, 2023.
“The success of smart #1 reflects not only the excellence of our product but also our dedication to providing a seamless and enjoyable ownership experience. The comprehensive warranty coverage, complimentary packages, and the smartCharge Home Charger offer are a testament to our commitment to customer satisfaction. Delivery is also a pivotal aspect, and our team is diligently working to ensure timely delivery of cars to our valued customers,” said Zhang Qiang.
