We hate to pick on GM, now that they just went through a strike, but a Bill Gates' quote comes to mind this morning: "If GM had kept up with technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25 cars that got 1000 MPG."

The Smart Car isn't $25 and doesn't get 1000 MPG, but it's closer than most Detroit offerings. And even though it's not yet released in the U.S., it's already been featured in more Hollywood movies than most car models ever get. No Impala ever got that kind of love.

Smart Cars are part of the Mercedes group and the company claims that, yes, these two-seaters are safe (they have a 4-star crash rating), can get 40 miles to the gallon, and have a top speed of 90 MPH. The basic model starts at about $11,600.

Our guess is that they're going to be a hot commodity, particularly in urban areas where drivers like cars that think nothing of tight squeezes. If you're tempted, you should ante up for the $99 (fully-refundable) reservation program so you don't have to wait months to get your hands on one. As it is, they won't arrive at your dealer until the first quarter of '08.