The need for going green has now reached the auto industry—again. However, this time, a hybrid isn’t involved. No, it’s Daimler AG’s nifty little compact Smart micro car.

Drivers of luxury sedans, mid-size wagons—even large SUVs—are downsizing and abandoning room and comfort for the odd-looking Smart. The surge of Smart sales in the U.S. seems to be coming a much-needed reprieve for drivers who are forced to spend almost $4 for a gallon of gasoline, which commonly means hundreds of dollars to fill up many conventional automobiles.

Almost mirroring a large roller skate or a breadbox, the American Smart models reportedly boast fuel economies of up to 60 miles per gallon, and have been a leading seller in Europe for several years. Nearly two-thirds of all drivers in Germany and Italy have reportedly opted to make the switch to Smart.

The question on the minds of experts isn’t whether the Smart car is a wise buy or an economically friendly vehicle. The debate comes from historic trends in the American auto industry, where, traditionally speaking, the idea of a micro car has never really caught on. Debates aside, global warming, recession, outlandish fuel prices and jobless increases, are slowly-but-surely shuttling Americans into the new Smart models. The line is preparing itself to be a major player. Its design, fuel economy and price tag are enough to attract the attention of shrewd car shoppers, especially in cities where congested freeways, frequent accidents and air pollution are a growing issue. Daimler agrees.

According to execs, the cars are being marketed to baby boomers who no longer wish to keep up large, expensive vehicles, college students, and those in urban areas. Makers of the Mercedes brand also don’t seem to mind Smart’s diminutiveness. With only two seats and limited trunk space, the 8-foot-long Smart “fortwo” model, according to executives and dealers, offers a deceivingly large amount of space. Amazing, to say the least, for a car that only occupies a little more than half of most standard parking spaces.

One notable feature of these little shuttles is what’s under their hoods: 3-cylinder, 559cc super-charged Mercedes motors power many of the models, which could be enough reason for any import lover to rush out and snag one. It seems if a Smart ever breaks down, one could pick it up and carry it to the nearest mechanic for repair. Not quite. But, the basic Smart is 3 feet shorter than the Mini Cooper—and a few thousand dollars cheaper.

Basic models start at around $12,000, while the new Mini Cooper typically comes with a base price of around $19,000.

But, is Smart safe? Apparently, despite being seemingly small enough to fit into a gym bag, safety doesn’t seem to be holding it back. Crash test after crash test have reportedly produced favorable results for the 1,800-pound compact.

Car shoppers should also keep in mind that the American versions of the Smart cars are not the same as their European counterparts. Dealers have been struggling since 1999 to get them legally imported and ready for sale. Strict American emissions requirements have held up the release in the U.S. With that hurdle cleared, the Smart has been Americanized.

In April, U.S. Smart sales dipped by almost 3 percent, but Daimler isn’t shaken. Trends do develop quickly in some cases, as does making choices that are collectively wise. In this instance, we will simply have to wait to see just how long certain drivers will continue to pay for monster-size cars that are only typically driven 2 to 3 miles at a time before they breakdown and give Smart a solid look.

The idea of the micro car has apparently not been limited to Europe and the U.S. Knock-offs and micros similar to the Smart have been reported in Japan, China and other countries, which are also battling the steady rise in gas prices.

More information about Smart cars can be found by visiting www.smartusa.com. As of January, the cars have been sold in the United States by only a handful of dealers. In November 2007, 30,000 drivers put $99 deposits down to be the first American Smart customers. Despite April’s dip in sales, importers are predicting to sell several hundred thousand cars per year in the U.S. by the end of the decade. Keep a close eye out for these little cars. They’re small, but certainly difficult to miss.

Jim Hagerty is a featured writer for Xomba.com. You can read the rest of his work here