Tariq Khan said it's the best advertising money can buy. "It's good looking, it's an attention grabber," Khan said.
Khan, who owns and operates the Domino's Pizza on Lexington Street, is talking about the ever-so compact Smart fortwo micro-car he purchased for his delivery business.
At 8-feet, 8-inches long, the micro vehicle is the smallest car for sale in the United States.
Touted for its fuel economy, ease of parking and low emissions, Smart cars are in demand.
However, Khan said the Smart car is also good for business.
He estimated he spends about $50,000 in advertising just for his Waltham Domino's. He owns four other stores.
The Smart car, he said, provides more advertising mileage because it's a traveling billboard.
The tiny vehicle, he said, draws plenty of intrigue wherever it goes around the city.
"There are photographs," Khan said. "At the (traffic) light, the cameras are clicking."
Khan said the model he purchased, which is made by Daimler, carried a price tag of roughly $15,000. Now emblazoned with the Domino's logo, the tiny car can usually be found parked in front of the carryout location for all to see.
In a time of skyrocketing fuel prices, Khan said the Smart car also allows him to save big bucks on gas. Pulling out the owner's manual for Khan's model, it shows the vehicle gets about 36 miles per gallon in the city to about 46 miles per gallon on the highway.
Khan said his drivers can use the Smart Car for deliveries when their vehicles break down. He said he likes to see the Smart Car out on the road at least once every day.
While the Smart car is miniscule compared to the size of the typical vehicles used by Domino's drivers, Khan said it's perfectly suited for large pizza deliveries.
Opening up the back of the vehicle, Khan showed the the Smart car can easily accommodate up to about 30 pies.
Khan said he first got wind of the Smart car a few years ago during a visit to a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Canada.
Don't expect to buy one and receive it in a couple of weeks, Khan said.
"There is a year waiting period," Khan said.
While safety is often cited as a concern about Smart cars, the vehicle received the highest rating of good in front-end and side-impact testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, according to a report released Wednesday.
Besides the Waltham Domino's, Khan also owns shops in Weymouth, South Boston, Dorchester and Mattapan.
Khan has another Smart car on order, which will also be used in Waltham.
"I'd love to have them at all of my stores," Khan said.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
