[jyl]

Reason is parking.

For instance, there are many places in SF where the spacing of driveways leaves a bit of curb too small for any other car to park. If you have a Smart car, that is practically your own personal parking spot. Even with more normal-sized spaces, it is easier to park a Smart that a larger car, especially if you're not a good parker.

It is an urban car, though. I don't imagine you'd see many outside of dense urban cities.