DaimlerChrysler Price Increases

The ARI PriceNet system has been updated with current pricing.

Effective October 31, 2000, all scheduled Taurus Sedan orders with a rear spoiler were placed on temporary hold. Orders scheduled after October 31, 2000 will be changed on November 27, 2000 to delete the rear spoiler. Unbuilt orders scheduled prior to October 31, 2000 will not be automatically changed, but the spoiler may be deleted upon a change request.

All unscheduled orders will be held until which time the units are changed to delete the rear spoiler (option code 13K). Once the spoiler has been deleted, orders will be built accordingly.

Production of Taurus Sedans with a rear spoiler is estimated to be delayed for at least 60 days.

The material hold status for non-ABS Taurus and Sable Wagons has been revised since the previous issue of the Purchasing News (dated November 13, 2000 - #023). The following information provides and update on the current situation and actions that can be taken during the hold period.

All non-ABS units are on hold for the 2001 MY Taurus/Sable Wagon. The duration of the hold is undetermined at this time.

Job #1 for Wagons with ABS is now scheduled for January 2, 2001. Please add ABS (552) to your order to facilitate production scheduling as early after January 2, 2001 as possible.

If production is required earlier than January 2, 2001, please consider adding ABS (552) and Adjustable Pedals (59C) which requires Power Seat (21A).

Production of Taurus/Sable Wagon with ABS and Adjustable Pedals has already commenced.

Summary

Revised Production Date

ABS and Adjustable Pedals

ABS w/o Adjustable Pedals

All non-ABS Wagons

Currently in production

1/2/01 — revised from 12/4/00

On hold — revised from 12/4/00

DETROIT — 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 — in terms of versatility, security and comfort.

Unlike traditional SUVs of about the same size, Rendezvous offers seven-passenger seating with its optional third row of seats. Rendezvous can be easily reconfigured to create a huge cargo space of 108.9 cubic feet.

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, CA.

Of Rendezvous’ design, Liz Wetzel, its design chief, said her team used Buick’s "heritage of distinctive styling, power, comfort and security as a foundation, but took Rendezvous even further to add simplicity, practicality and durability — characteristics that are gaining in importance."

Rendezvous Key features:

Rendezvous will be one of the first vehicles to offer Versatrak, General Motors’ innovative "on-demand" all-wheel-drive system. Versatrak uses front drive under normal road conditions and adds torque to the rear wheels on slippery roads. Versatrak is standard on Rendezvous’ uplevel CXL model and optional on the CX.

With Versatrak, there are no buttons to press or levers to throw, according to Reuss. "No special driver action is needed beyond stepping on the accelerator. Versatrak is always poised to make the best use of the traction available."

Rendezvous’ powerful 3.4-liter V-6 engine, attached to an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission, generates 185 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 210 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. It provides exceptionally good fuel economy (estimated EPA fuel economy numbers are 19 miles per gallon city and 24 mpg highway for the front-drive version and 17/22 with all-wheel drive).

In a previous issue of the Purchasing News (dated October 16, 2000 - #021), Ford announced a revision to the procedure for ordering non-Firestone tires for the 2002 Explorer. The latest revision, effective November 15, 2000, is as follows:

2002 4-Door Explorer tire line-up:

XLS/XLT

Firestone P235/70Rx16SL OWL All-Season
Michelin P235/70Rx16SL OWL All-Season

Standard
Optional

Eddie Bauer

Firestone P245/70R16 OWL All-Season
Goodyear P245/70R16 OWL All-Season

(Code T57/50F)
(Code T57/50Y)

Standard
Optional

Limited

Firestone P245/70R16 OWL All-SeasonGoodyear P245/70R16 OWL All-SeasonGoodyear P245/70R16 BSW All-Season

GM'S ONSTAR SUBSIDARY BRINGS LOCATION-BASED, REAL-TIME TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITION INFORMATION INTO THE VEHICLE

In an industry first, OnStar will begin to offer personalized, real-time traffic and road condition reports to its subscribers next spring through the hands-free, voice-activated OnStar Virtual Advisor service.

Under the arrangement, traffic information will be provided by Etak Inc., a Tele Atlas company, and Metro Networks, a Westwood One company, whose Traffic Data Feed provides highly accurate, real-time traffic information for most of the major U.S. metropolitan areas, covering 92 percent of the nation's urban population. The information includes reports on accidents, road congestion, travel delays, construction, weather-related road conditions and major events, such as sports, concerts, and festivals - anything that may affect the flow of traffic.

OnStar Virtual Advisor, which debuts in the Northeast in December and nationally in the first quarter of 2001, will allow OnStar subscribers to access personalized, Internet-based information such as e-mail, stock quotes, sports reports, news and weather. The information will be provided via voice activation through the vehicle's sound system, which allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. There are no screens or displays that potentially could distract the driver.

Using OnStar's Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receiver, subscribers will initially be able to access traffic information based on the location of their vehicle. Ultimately, OnStar subscribers will be able to select their preferred driving routes on their "MyOnStar" homepage on the Internet. In the vehicle, drivers will access information about their preferred traffic routes through Virtual Advisor simply by using voice commands.

Toyota has introduced new large capacity lift trucks to its 7-Series line: 8,000- to 15,500-pound capacity cushion tire models and 8,000- to 17,500-pound capacity pneumatic tire models. These large capacity internal combustion forklifts are designed specifically for demanding jobs, such as pulp and paper, metal fabrication and construction applications.

Operator safety is foremost with the 7-Series line as all models feature the System of Active Stability (SAS). Toyota's patented SAS technology is the first in the world to actively monitor and control the movements of a lift truck to help prevent the vehicle from tipping over. The main components of SAS are the Active Control Rear Stabilizer, which reduces lateral tipping and the Active Mast Function Controller, which helps reduce the chance of longitudinal tip-over, injury and product damage from loads falling from forks that have been tilted too far forward or backward.

Forklift operators will appreciate ergonomic innovations such as an ultra-comfort operator restraint seat (ORS), the world's first four-way seat that features an adjustable lumbar support system. The trucks also feature generous leg and headroom and a swing-out or optional swing-down LP tank bracket for ease of tank switching.

Another feature of the large capacity 7-Series lift trucks is the optional EZ Pedal, which allows the operator to change truck direction with a foot control switch on the accelerator pedal.

Other key features include the following:

For more information, visit www.toyotaforklift.com.

DaimlerChrysler researchers and developers have a vision of "accident-free driving." The vehicle itself should actively intervene when the driver, as a result of carelessness, inattentiveness or fatigue, makes mistakes that could cause serious accidents. The goal is to mitigate the effects of accidents or, if possible, prevent them altogether. The more information the vehicle can process on the surrounding traffic situation, the more "responsibly" the assistance systems will be able to support drivers and other traffic participants.

This requires that vehicles be able to "understand" their surroundings. Cameras and microphones will join many other sensors in the vehicle to enable it to "see" and "hear" what is taking place around it. Computers will interpret the data and respond by either issuing instructions and warnings or directly intervening in the vehicle's operation.

The basic building blocks of future assistance systems, that will take their surroundings into account, include the ability to recognize the lane, not only through the lane markings but also through the recognition of the free area in front of the vehicle.

Another important factor is the ability to recognize pedestrians, vehicles and obstacles. For vehicles, classification algorithms make it possible to distinguish between trucks, passenger cars, buses, motorcycles, etc., thus allowing predictions of their movements to be made. Traffic signs and traffic lights must also be reliably recognized and analyzed in terms of their significance for the vehicle.

A look at accident statistics reveals where assistance systems will be most successful: approximately 38 percent of all accidents occur as a result of the driver being distracted for some reason or because he or she has actually nodded off at the wheel. Almost half of all accidents occur as a result of a person misjudging the vehicle ahead, the driving dynamics, the weather or the road lane. On the other hand, technical problems or unexpected occurrences, such as obstacles appearing suddenly, play only a minor role.

The following are two examples of assistance systems for particularly frequent types of accidents:

The "thinking" vehicle brakes by itself in critical situations. If the driver reacts too slowly and therefore comes too close to a moving or stationary vehicle in front, PROTECTOR recognizes the dangerous situation and brakes by itself.

An assistance function of this kind must include an analysis of the traffic situation. The active safety system becomes active only after the driver has failed to react. Using radar, the system records how far the truck is from an obstacle ahead. If the driver does not brake, PROTECTOR intervenes and either brings the vehicle to a standstill or slows it down to a speed that ensures a certain distance to the one ahead of it.

PROTECTOR's potential lies in its ability to prevent 80 percent of all truck-truck rear-end collisions and more than 30 percent of all truck accidents on highways. This effectively means that the majority of truck accidents resulting in injury would be avoided.

Lane Assistant Keeps Trucks on Course

Like the automatic braking system, the Lane Assistant can also prevent accidents. It warns the driver as soon as he or she is in danger of leaving the lane. A characteristic sound causes the driver to automatically steer in such a way that the vehicle regains its course.

Any instance of inattentiveness at the wheel entails a risk to safety. Fatigue, adjusting the radio or speaking on the telephone without a hands-free unit distract a driver. A moment of surprise can, in the worst cases, already be too long for the driver to react properly and avoid an accident.

The Lane Assistant-the Lane Departure Warning System-for trucks and buses provides support to drivers in such cases, without directly intervening in the driving of the vehicle. This system, which was developed by the researchers at DaimlerChrysler, has been available in Europe since 2000. Plans also call for the system to be marketed in North America.

A small camera mounted behind the windshield photographs the road directly in front of the truck. A high-performance computer evaluates the images. Using the lane markings as points of reference, it analyses the position of the vehicle within the lane. It then processes this information and the speed to continually calculate whether the vehicle is in danger of leaving the lane.

Driving in the Future

In the future, individual vehicles will communicate with one another as well. When they are able to exchange information directly, another step toward accident-free driving will have been taken.

DaimlerChrysler is currently developing electronic architectures to make mobile communication possible. All of these technologies and assistance systems will be available in vehicles from all DaimlerChrysler brands in the coming years. They will then support drivers and provide them with new freedom and safety.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it will crash test 113 model year 2001 vehicles to obtain safety information that will help consumers make buying decisions.

The U. S. Department of Transportation's traffic safety agency said it will crash test 72 passenger cars, 19 sport utility vehicles, 11 vans, and 11 pickups in its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Sixty-one vehicles will be crashed in the frontal direction and 52 vehicles will be crashed from the side.

Once the crash testing is complete, frontal safety information will be available to consumers on about 82 percent of the model year 2001 vehicles sold in the United States. The agency will provide side impact safety information on about 81 percent of the vehicles sold in the United States. In real world crashes, vehicles are twice as likely to be involved in severe frontal crashes as in severe side crashes.

For more information, visit the NHTSA web site at http://www.nhtsa.com.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has launched a multi-year consumer education campaign to inform drivers about the importance of proper tire care and maintenance to ensure safe driving.

"The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 250,000 accidents a year result from improperly inflated tires," said RMA President & CEO Donald B. Shea. "RMA's goal is to help decrease this number through proper education."

Proper tire care and safety is simple and easy. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) recommends taking five minutes every month and before every long trip to check your tires, including the spare. Just remember to "Be Tire Smart - Play Your PART: Pressure, Alignment, Rotation, Tread."

Your Tire Maintenance Checklist

AAA REPORTS FUEL PRICES
UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline has increased 1.8 cents since Labor Day to $1.661 per gallon and is 30.4 cents higher than last year.

The national average price of self-serve regular unleaded gasoline has increased two cents since mid-October to $1.547 per gallon.

High fuel and travel costs aren't discouraging travelers this holiday season. A record 38.9 million Americans plan to travel 100 miles or more from home even though the national average cost of gasoline rising more than 25 cents a gallon from one year ago and airfares increasing an average of 13 percent since last season.

For the nearly 31.6 million travelers who will go by motor vehicle, AAA suggests the following tips to conserve gasoline:

When a "stock purchase" is desired, you may consider using a vehicle from the ARI "pool"
to save money and time.

Call your ARI representative for details!