Powertrain needs work, but Smart car belongs on America's streets.(News)(Daimler-Benz AG)

Byline: Richard Truett

The Smart ForTwo from Mercedes-Benz deserves its place in a greener America.

The car's motorcycle-sized powertrain needs plenty of work, but the idea of a safe, modern and well-made microcar for the United States is a good one. And the timing is right.

I felt differently three months ago after a visit to the Smart stand at the Detroit auto show. I spent a good half hour sitting in, going over and then writing off the ForTwo as a ridiculous clown car.

But since the Detroit show, I've been to traffic-choked Chicago and New York, seen the price of oil top $109 a barrel and read about London Mayor Ken Livingstone's plan …