2001 FORD ESCAPE:

Small SUV for big-city lifestyles

CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2000 - The all-new Ford Escape - with unibody construction and go-anywhere four-wheel-drive capabilities - provides refined ride and handling, an outstanding package, good fuel economy and low emissions in a small, tough SUV thats versatile enough for the most active lifestyles and easily maneuverable in urban traffic.

First introduced at the 2000 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and shown at the 2000 Chicago Auto Show, Fords newest sport utility vehicle marks the company's expansion into the growing small SUV segment. Sales in that segment have more than doubled in the United States in the last four years, from 1995 sales of 250,000 vehicles to well over 500,000 through the end of 1999.

On sale this summer, the new Escape joins Ford's "Outfitters" showroom and the company's "No Boundaries" promise for tough and versatile SUVs. Together with the Explorer, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Expedition and Excursion, the new Escape gives Ford the most comprehensive SUV lineup in the industry.

"Ford pioneered the modern SUV market with the Explorer in 1991. Since then, SUV sales in the U.S. have climbed an average of 17 percent per year," explains Jim O'Connor, Ford Division president and vice president of Ford Motor Company. "The 2001 Escape provides a logical extension of the Ford SUV family and will help us maintain our proven leadership by providing customers with a bold new choice in the small SUV market."

The new Ford Escape, smaller than the best-selling Ford Explorer, is designed to appeal to younger buyers as well as the "young at heart" - drivers who want fun, agile, sporty, durable yet affordable transportation for their active lifestyles.

The 2001 Ford Escape offers customers:

• Nimble maneuverability
• Sport styling with rugged capability for off-road driving
• Most spacious interior package in its class at 132.9 cubic feet with versatility for carrying cargo as well as passengers.
• Driving safety and confidence
• A capable vehicle designed, tested and built to Ford truck standards

"We believe Escape will appeal to a wide variety of consumers, including those who have not owned an SUV before, but whose life's activities now require the space and versatility that an SUV provides. Those people might not consider a larger SUV, but Escape will provide them with the perfect solution," says O'Connor. "Whether they are young singles, newlyweds, small families or empty nesters, the Escape will be an affordable and fun option that will allow them to do all of the things they enjoy such as skiing, camping and biking."

Although pricing is not yet available, orders can now be placed for delivery this summer. Job one is scheduled for May 22, 2000. Call your ARI Representative for more information.

FOR MODEL YEAR 2001 – THE YEAR IS "1"

We are beginning to receive some invoices and MSO's for the model year 200l.

It was brought to our attention that the 10th character in the VIN is a 1 to identify the model year. For the year 2000 it was a "Y."

Each year for the next 9 years, the 10th character of the VIN will be the model year of the vehicle. In model year 2010, the 10th character is expected to be the letter "A" to identify the year.

CHEVROLET TRAVERSE: THE REINVENTION OF THE FAMILY SEDAN

"The Traverse is a car you can feel comfortable driving in a truck-dominated market."

CHICAGO - February 9, 2000 - The Chevrolet Traverse concept vehicle, making its world debut today at the Chicago Auto Show, represents the reinvention of the family sedan. It offers the utility of a truck and the comfort of a sedan, all in one package. The versatile vehicle will take you where you want to go, even connecting you to the Internet along the way.

"Chevrolet designers and engineers took the most popular attributes of trucks-utility, all-wheel drive, command-view seating and good towing capacity-and added the best features of sedan driving-five-passenger comfort, V-6 power, agility and spirited styling," said Chevrolet General Manager Kurt Ritter.

The rear seats in the Traverse travel a full nine inches fore and aft, and can also fold down, providing a flat load floor from the front seats to the "Smartback" tailgate, offering enough room to haul a four-by-eight-foot piece of building material. This easy-access "Smartback" tailgate system combines the attributes of a hatchback and a traditional tailgate.

"The Traverse is a car you can feel comfortable driving in a truck-dominated market," said Joel Piaskowski, Chevrolet car design manager. "We designed it to meet the needs that we sensed our customers would really value in a car with the great functional attributes of a truck. We've designed a vehicle that levels the playing field between cars and trucks, while visually linking a solid, consistent brand image of Chevy Truck to Chevy Car."

ALL-NEW 2001 DODGE STRATUS COUPE AND SEDAN

Introduced at the 2000 Chicago Auto Show, on February 10, 2000, the Stratus sedan and coupe represent Dodge's latest efforts to bring more unexpected attributes to their respective segments.

Dodge Stratus Coupe—New Name and a New Level of Performance and Refinement
When the Dodge Avenger was first introduced in the 1995 model year, it was hailed for its ability to stand out from a crowd - and carry one as well. With its cavernous interior and sporty good looks, Avenger was unique to the sport coupe segment. For 2001, the name changes to Stratus but the basic formula of offering a bold package with plenty of room for four people remains. However, a new level of performance and refinement make the next-generation sport coupe from Dodge an even more appealing choice.

"The name may have changed but the overall package didn't," said Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Division. "Our owners loved having the ability to carry friends and/or gear in a car as nimble as the original Avenger. But in true Dodge fashion, we're giving them even more than they expected with improved performance and refinement. Like its sedan namesake, with the Stratus coupe we've kept all the good things and added even more."

The lead Stratus coupe will be the Stratus R/T, with its 200-horsepower V-6 engine, optional five-speed manual transaxle, specially-tuned suspension and performance-tuned 17-inch tires.

"With the Stratus R/T coupe, we're filling a void in the market," Julow said. "Consumers want a car that serves all the everyday needs, yet offers performance and handling that is a notch above."

Dodge Stratus Sedan—Building on a Great Beginning
The all-new Dodge Stratus sedan is building from strong roots. The original Stratus sedan offered a level of roominess and style that shocked the mid-size segment. With its cab-forward architecture that maximized interior room and revolutionized the auto industry, Stratus quickly made a name for itself among consumers looking to break away from traditional mid-size cars.

The 2001 Stratus design harkens back to Dodge's rich muscle car history while borrowing from European racing sedans. With its signature "cross-hair" grille and solid stance, Stratus is reminiscent of the classic muscle car-era Dodges. Pronounced wheel flare and sill treatments resemble some of the championship racing sedans of Europe.

Performance enhancements include the availability of the powerful 2.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V-6 engine, which at 200 horsepower, delivers 32 more horsepower than the engine it replaces. The standard 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine delivers 150 horsepower and 167 lb.-ft. of torque.

In addition to offering one of the most powerful engines in its segment, Stratus will be available with a performance-tuned ride-and-handling package, 16-inch performance wheels and tires and the AutoStick® transaxle, which allows the driver the control of a manual transmission and the convenience of an automatic.

TOYOTA'S CAMRY SOLARA CONVERTIBLE - NORTH AMERICAN-BORN AND BRED

Toronto, Ontario - January 10, 2000 - The Toyota Camry Solara coupe will be adding an extra dose of attitude, image and presence with the arrival this spring of the all-new Solara convertible. Designed, engineered and built in North America, the Solara Convertible was created for a uniquely North American consumer.

"The Camry Solara was styled at Toyota's Calty Design Centre in Newport Beach, Calif., and from the moment pen met paper, stylists had a convertible on their minds," said Tony Wearing, Toyota Canada's vice president of Vehicles Sales and Marketing. "The original Solara concept was simply breathtaking when it debuted at the Chicago Auto Show, three years ago. That design was refined to become the Solara coupe which went on sale over a year ago and now we have, strikingly true to the original concept, the 2000 Solara convertible, a reality at last."

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) in Cambridge, Ontario is the exclusive production site for the Camry Solara. The facility employs over 2,700 people and is a 3-time recipient of the J.D. Power Gold Plant Award for Initial Quality. The 2.8 million square-foot facility, which also produces the Corolla, has a combined capacity of 200,000 units per year.

The Solara convertible's power-folding soft-top convertible roof, available in Black and Camel fabric, will feature a full headliner, automatic-down power rear-quarter windows and a large glass rear window. The standard premium JBL sound system will feature a variable control function that adjusts bass response and volume, depending on vehicle speed and roof position.

The Solara convertible will be offered in the SLE trim level only, powered by the 3.0 litre, 200-horsepower V6 engine matched to a standard 4-speed, electronically-controlled automatic transmission.

During early production, fleet allocation will be very limited. Please contact your ARI Representative for more information.

FORD TAURUS AND MERCURY SABLE AGAIN EARN FIVE STAR RATINGS

Dearborn, Mich. - Feb. 4, 2000 - The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable continue to earn the federal government's highest possible rating for frontal crash performance.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced it has awarded the new 2000 model year vehicles its five-star rating for both the driver and passenger positions based on agency testing. For the 1999 model year, the Taurus and Sable were the first mid-size cars under $20,000 to earn five-star ratings in the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Ford continues to have more top ratings for its vehicles in the government's frontal crash tests than all other automakers combined. In addition to the Taurus and Sable, the Volvo S70, Mercury Grand Marquis, Ford Crown Victoria, Ranger Electric Vehicle, and Windstar minivan all have earned five star NCAP ratings. The 4-door Windstar with side air bags is the only vehicle ever tested to earn five star ratings for both driver and passenger frontal testing and front and rear seat side testing.

"Ford designs all its vehicles to provide outstanding safety for our customers in real-world conditions," said Helen Petrauskas, Ford's vice president of Environmental & Safety engineering. "NHTSA tests are one important source that consumers can turn to for safety information."

In the NCAP test, vehicles are crashed into a fixed barrier at 35 miles-per-hour, which is equivalent to two identical vehicles colliding head-on, each going 35 miles-per-hour. Sophisticated crash dummies measure forces and impacts during the collision, which are used to predict the potential for serious head and chest injuries. NCAP results are reported in a range from five to one stars. Five stars indicate the best crash protection for vehicles of similar weight, while fewer star indicate less relative protection.

The NCAP results are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to telling the safety story for Taurus and Sable.

The vehicles are the first on the market with Ford's Personal Safety System, an advanced restraints system that features:

• A dual-stage air bag system
• Sensors that determines the severity of an accident
• How close the driver's seat is to the air bag
• Whether or not the driver's safety belt is buckled

A central "brain," called the restraints control module, can analyze the information and decide if an air bag needs to be deployed. If so, it decides which level of deployment, 1st stage or 2nd stage, is required.

The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable also are equipped with a top tether anchor for child safety seats, an emergency trunk release and the BeltMinder system that helps remind drivers to buckle up. Head-and-chest side air bags are optional.

BUICK RENDEZVOUS

NEW BREED OF SUV COMBINES VERSATILITY, SECURITY, COMFORT

DETROIT - February 10, 2000 - Rendezvous, Buick's exciting new entry in the booming truck market, combines many of the best features of sport utility vehicles, premium sedans and minivans.

"We're proud to introduce Rendezvous as the Buick SUV – a new breed of sport utility that goes beyond the usual vehicle categories," said Buick General Manager Roger W. Adams. "It's really the best of all worlds Ð in terms of versatility, security and comfort."

"With our reconfigurable interior, we believe this is the most versatile vehicle in the utility market. It's a great product for today's active families—and a great example of General Motors' strategy to reach beyond traditional constraints and become the industry's product innovation leader."

Introduced as 2002 model
The first truck-based Buick in nearly 80 years, Rendezvous will be introduced as a 2002 model, with production beginning in the spring of 2001. It was unveiled at press conferences in early February of 2000 at the Chicago Auto Show and in San Diego, Calif., in conjunction with the Buick Invitational Golf Tournament.

Third row of seats or huge cargo space
Unlike traditional SUVs of about the same size, Rendezvous offers seven-passenger seating with its optional – and comfortable – third row of seats. Need fewer seats? Rendezvous can be easily reconfigured to create a huge cargo space of 108.9 cubic feet (about 5.5 times the capacity of a Buick Park Avenue trunk). Rendezvous can be ordered with Versatrak, GM's innovative all-wheel-drive system that provides sure-footedness on all roads. And it can be equipped to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Refined Ruggedness.

Rendezvous has a look of "refined ruggedness," Liz Wetzel, its design chief, said. The new Buick's overall appearance is suggestive of an SUV, yet it sets its own course with such elements as a striking grille that is a stronger, more substantial version of the Buick vertical-bar design. The oval-shaped grille is "unmistakably Buick," she said, but the grille bars are stronger than the fine-pitched type in Buick automobiles. Instead of chrome, she noted, the grille is finished in an attractive paint treatment that's more appropriate to the SUV mission.

Interior elegance
The design team also provided a feeling of interior elegance with a two-tone theme for all three trim levels – leather, flat-woven cloth with leather bolsters, and all cloth with pile fabric. Instrument-cluster detailing provides a look of precious stones set in polished metal – like jewelry.

Needles and numbers are set in a silver face to resemble an expensive watch or designer bracelet. A new metallic accent trim lends a sophisticated and technical air to the interior. Said Bowen: "The idea is to provide one vehicle that avoids the compromises inherent in traditional vehicles. With Rendezvous, consumers can have both style and functionality, performance and comfort, handling and roominess. Plus we're providing an impressive array of safety features, outstanding fuel economy and great overall value."

First Buick truck since 1923
Adams pointed out that Rendezvous is the first truck-based Buick since 1923. "This is an important new direction for Buick, and Rendezvous will be a significant product—a vehicle that's on-target to the market," Adams said. (Buick, which turns 100 in 2003, built some trucks from 1909 to 1918 and again in 1922 and 1923 but hasn't offered one since, though some coachbuilders have used Buick chassis to create small numbers of buses, trucks and other commercial vehicles over the years).

"As Buick moves into the new millennium, and heads toward its second century as a provider of premium contemporary family vehicles, we'll be introducing a number of fresh concepts," said Adams. "We're very pleased that the first one is Rendezvous."

2000 MODEL SUBURBAN, YUKON XL, TAHOE AND YUKON ORDERS

The following are excerpts from an Administrative message from GM in reference to the above vehicle orders for 2000, dated February 9, 2000:

"Fleet production for the 2000 Model Year Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL models will begin in March 2000. Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon fleet production will commence in April 2000."

"Because production acceleration on these models is still in "new model start-up" mode, availability is limited. This is particularly true for Fleet, where on-hand orders already exceed 2000 Model Year production availability. Fleet availability is expected to improve dramatically in the 2001 model year."

"Our intent is to produce these limited supply models for customers with a long history of purchasing GM large utility models."

"PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT AVAILABILITY IS VERY LIMITED. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PRODUCE ALL ON-HAND ORDERS. PRICE PROTECTION FOR 2001 MODEL YEAR IS DOUBTFUL"

In summary, GM will look at all the orders on hand, decide which customers, by their end user FAN code, have traditionally ordered large GM Sport Utility Vehicles, and try and build them for the 2000 model year. It appears that many 2000 model orders will not get built - even though the manufacturer has accepted the order! Customers who need assistance should contact their local GM Fleet Representative.

FORD TURNS TO UPS FOR HELP WITH DELIVERIES

Ford and UPS have formed a new venture aimed at reducing by six days the time needed to ship a vehicle from Ford's factories to dealer.

Currently, Ford says their average transit time is about 15 days, except some vehicles can require up to 30 days.

The complex logistics of automotive manufacturing and the delivery coupled with an inefficient rail transit system have hindered efforts.

The first phase of this new joint venture with UPS Logistics Group will begin in March. It will focus on Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles built in assembly plants in southeastern Michigan and St. Louis with shipments to dealerships in the west and southwest. The entire network is expected to be operational in 15 months, including Canada and Mexico.

The three areas where improvements are expected:

• Reduce shipping times by an average of 6 days
• Enable dealers and eventually consumers to track shipments via the Web
• Reduce inventory costs

"A big payoff for dealers and customers will be delivery predictability," said Jerry Joyce, Ford director of global logistics. "Eventually dealers will be able to reduce on-site inventory as faster delivery times encourage more custom orders."

CHRYSLER, JEEP® AND DODGE GET WIRED WITH E-CONNECT PLATFORM TEAM

Auburn Hills, Mich. – February 4, 2000 – DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DCC) announced today the formation of a new E-Connect Platform Team for its Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge brands.

"Currently 40 percent of new vehicle buyers do part or all of their initial shopping on the internet and the rate is expected to explode to 80 percent by 2004," said Jim Holden, President, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "Those numbers demonstrate the car-buying public is changing its habits and technology is driving that change."

The E-Connect platform team will apply the same cross-functional, holistic approach to our interactive strategy that was used to revolutionize Chrysler's vehicle development process in the past decade," said Holden.

"Our platform teams' fast, efficient and innovative culture will be applied to challenges and allow us to wire the e-world throughout the organization. Chrysler's platform teams have been a unique strength in the ever-changing automotive industry and we're excited and confident that our E-Connect team will add a new dimension to the evolution of our award-winning platform teams and to the defining medium of the new economy."

Effective immediately, Gary Dilts is appointed Vice President, E-Connect Platform. In his new role Dilts is responsible for planning and implementation of e-initiatives affecting DCC.

"Gary is a natural for this important assignment," said Holden. "He brings experience from his previous assignment, as Vice President, Retail Strategies and Dealer Relations. Gary pioneered the Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge Customer Connect initiative, which is streamlining the car-buying process for both consumers and dealers."

"Over the past three years, we have devoted enormous resources to defining and building our infrastructure," said Gary Dilts, Vice President, E-Connect Platform. "This infrastructure will provide the foundation to optimize our position in this new e-world."

DaimlerChrysler Corporation's E-Connect Platform includes representatives from Information Technology Management, Finance, Procurement & Supply, Product Creation, Volume Production, Sales & Marketing, Chrysler Financial Company (CFC), Legal, Human Resources and Communications.

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NEW JERSEY SURCHARGE
Revised 12/1/99

To recover anticipated increased costs of conducting business in New Jersey, as a result of recent legislation, General Motors announced to their dealers on October 1, 1999 that effective immediately they were revising prices of 2000 model cars and trucks. This "surcharge" is only added to invoices of vehicles that are shipped to dealers in New Jersey.

Should Ford or DaimlerChrysler follow suit, we will announce it here in the Purchasing News.

If a vehicle is shipped to a New Jersey dealer for delivery out of the state, GM is developing a refund procedure.

The option code on the GM invoice is "R6M - New Jersey Cost Surcharge." The amount of the surcharge varies by model. It ranges from $22 on a Prizm to $227 for a Cadillac Seville. Here is the list of GM surcharges by model:

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DAIMLERCHRYSLER 2000 MODEL YEAR PURCHASE ALLOWANCES

FORD 2000 MODEL YEAR NATIONAL FLEET INCENTIVES

GENERAL MOTORS 2000 MODEL YEAR NATIONAL FLEET PURCHASE PROGRAM

MAZDA 2000 MODEL YEAR COMMERCIAL FLEET PROGRAM

NISSAN 2000 MODEL YEAR FLEET PROGRAMS

SAAB 2000 MODEL YEAR FLEET PROGRAM

SUBARU 2000 MODEL YEAR FLEET INCENTIVE PROGRAM

TOYOTA 2000 MODEL YEAR COMMERCIAL FLEET INCENTIVE INVOICE CREDIT PROGRAM

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2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Ford * General Motors * Mazda * Nissan * Saab * Subaru * Toyota

Ford Motor Company - National Fleet Incentives

On July 2, 1999, Ford announced the following National Fleet Incentives for the 2000 model year cars and trucks. Ford is combining the National Fleet Incentives with the Fleet Marketing Credits for a "Total Fleet Discount" for each vehicle line. This is to provide an accurate comparison between Ford vehicles and the facing GM products for the 2000 model year. Their national incentives have been increased to compensate for the elimination of marketing credits to fleet customers for 2000. The "Total Fleet Incentive" should avoid confusion that may exist due to the GM fleet program change.

2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Daimlerchrysler * General Motors * Mazda * Nissan * Saab * Subaru * Toyota

2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Daimlerchrysler * Ford * Mazda * Nissan * Saab * Subaru * Toyota

2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Daimlerchrysler * Ford * General Motors * Nissan * Saab * Subaru * Toyota

2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Diamlerchrysler * Ford * General Motors * Mazda * Saab * Subaru * Toyota

Model year 2000 Fleet Program Incentives apply to all new vehicles sold and reported to Saab Cars USA, Inc. by December 31, 2000. Dealer must complete Form SF#3 and mail along with supporting documents to the Fleet Sales Dept. in Norcross. GA. For more information call Mitch. Kamon at (770) 279-6892.

2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Daimlerchrysler * Ford * Gerneral Motors * Mazda * Nissan * Subaru * Toyota

2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Daimlerchrysler * Ford * General Motors * Mazda * Nissan * Saab * Toyota

2000 Model Year Fleet Programs: Daimlerchrysler * Ford * General Motors * Mazda * Nissan * Saab * Subaru

FINAL ORDER DATES

DaimlerChrysler

January 14, 2000

TO: ALL DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION DEALERS

SUBJECT: 2000 MODEL YEAR CUTOFF DATES

In an effort to assist you and your Fleet Customers to plan remaining 2000 model year vehicle requirements, Fleet order cutoff dates have been established based on anticipated demand. While it is possible that actual orders can exceed our production capacity, we believe our forecast is satisfactory for planning purposes.

The Fleet order cutoff dates are as follows:

MODEL

FLEET ORDER CUTOFF DATE<