Ford

Effective March 6, 2001 base prices have increased on all 2001 models. Increase amounts are approximately $95 MSRP for all 2001 MY cars and between $50-$255 for 2001 MY trucks.

Automatic price protection will be provided on firm 2001-model fleet and retail orders that were received by Ford Motor Company on or before March 6, 2001.

GM

Base prices on most GM models have increased effective March 2, 2001. Increases range between $45 - $180 MSRP.

Generally, fleet orders are invoice price protected (i.e., bid center FBC order types, VQ orders). All other fleet orders will be price protected according to the bona fide sold retail price protection policy.

DaimlerChrysler

DaimlerChrysler has recently announced a $50 reduction to the Fleet Purchase Allowance amount on all models, effective February 1, 2001.

The ARI PriceNet system has been updated to reflect the new price changes.

DaimlerChrysler Corp. has announced that the Jeep Liberty, which replaces the Cherokee model, will have a "Fleet Purchase Allowance" of $200. A "Fleet Purchase Incentive" amount has not yet been determined.

The DaimlerChrysler 2002 Fleet Program Rules and ordering information will be announced at a later date.

For more information about the all-new Jeep Liberty, please visit the Fleet Library and select Purchasing News issue # 102 dated January 22, 2001.

March 8, 2001 — GM has notified their dealers and fleet managers that they were unable to produce any alternative fuel Silverado and Sierra 2500 series pickups (codes CNG or LPG). Previously, GM sent a message to all dealers advising that they would price protect any orders accepted from customers who were willing to wait until the 4^th quarter of 2001 when production would resume. Production has been pushed back and the units will now be produced as 2002 models. These units will be price protected as stated in the previous message and this offer includes all orders accepted prior to the April 6, 2001 fleet order cutoff date.

Please notify your ARI representative if you currently have any of the above-mentioned units scheduled for production. ARI will need to take the necessary steps to ensure price protection and production as 2002 models.

March 5, 2001 — The editors of Automotive Engineering International have selected the 2001 Toyota Prius as the "Best Engineered Car of 2001", based on a survey of reader’s opinions.

Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, combines the use of a gas powered internal combustion engine with an electric motor for propulsion. It achieves impressive EPA fuel economy numbers: 45mpg highway and 52mpg city driving. Automotive Engineering recognizes the new Prius as one of the most environmentally friendly passenger cars in production.

Affordability, comfort, ease of operation and visibility were also important factors considered in the selection. The Prius is configured as a 5-passenger family sedan and starts at around $20,000 MSRP.

For more information about the 2001 Toyota Prius visit the Fleet Library at http://www.arifleet.com and select Purchasing News issue #010, dated May 15, 2000. Or visit the Prius web site at http://prius.toyota.com/.

On February 28, 2001 EPA Administrator Christie Whitman directed that the EPA move forward on schedule with its rule to make heavy-duty trucks and buses run cleaner. These vehicles, which will be ready by model year 2007, will cut harmful pollution by 95 percent. Sulfur in diesel fuel must be lowered to enable modern pollution control technology to be effective on these trucks and buses. The agency will require a 97 percent reduction in the sulfur content of highway diesel fuel from its current level of 500 parts per million to 15 parts per million.

Once this action is fully implemented, 2.6 million tons of smog-causing nitrogen oxide emissions will be reduced each year. Soot or particulate matter will be reduced by 110,000 tons a year. An estimated 8,300 premature deaths, 5,500 cases of chronic bronchitis and 17,600 cases of acute bronchitis in children will also be prevented annually. It is also estimated to help avoid more than 360,000 asthma attacks and 386,000 cases of respiratory symptoms in asthmatic children every year. In addition, 1.5 million lost workdays, 7,100 hospital visits and 2,400 emergency room visits for asthma will be prevented.

Significant lead-time is provided in the rule for the introduction of new cleaner fuel into the marketplace. Engine manufacturers will have flexibility to meet the new standards through a phase-in approach between 2007 and 2010. The fuel provision will go into effect in June 2006 and will be phased in through 2009. The program also includes various flexible approaches, including additional time for some refiners and special provisions for small refiners.

Siemens Automotive’s Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) technology, also known as a soft hybrid, is poised to play a leading role in helping sport utility vehicle (SUV) makers reach their stated fuel economy improvement goals of up to 25 percent by 2005.

"In real world driving conditions, Siemens ISG-equipped test vehicles have demonstrated significant fuel economy gains," said Kregg Wiggins, Siemens Automotive vice president of Powertrain, North America.

The first of its kind to reach production, the Siemens ISG system will be a supplemental power plant application on a European small car platform, beginning in the next model year.

The Siemens ISG replaces the conventional starter, generator and flywheel of the engine and provides an auxiliary function as a convenient automatic vehicle start/stop system for further improved fuel efficiency. The system switches off the combustion engine at zero load — such as when standing at a traffic light - and automatically restarts it in less than one hundred milliseconds when the gas pedal is pressed. The pulse-start technology accelerates the combustion engine to the required cranking speed (idle speed) and only then initiates the combustion process for instant ignition, a feature that helps reduce both fuel consumption and emissions. ISG also optimizes the use of electric energy, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

The components of the ISG system are not subject to wear and tear and are maintenance-free because of the system’s brushless stator and rotor design.

ISG is just as versatile when it comes to other disciplines. In the boost mode, for example, the starter briefly serves as a second engine to drive the vehicle or provide acceleration in the low-speed range. This provides a short-term power boost of 15kW, depending on the configuration of the ISG and battery. In the "retarder" mode, the ISG demonstrates yet another strength with its ability to convert kinetic energy to storable electric energy.

Siemens Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive and electrical—electronic systems and components with applications covering gasoline and diesel powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body electronics, electric motor drives and driver information systems.

March 12, 2001 - General Motors plans to idle two North American assembly plants beginning March 12, 2001, briefly laying off 4,900 workers as the world's largest automaker continues trying to reduce vehicle inventories amid slow sales.

One plant is in Oklahoma City, OK where the Chevrolet Malibu sedan is built. The other is an assembly site in Oshawa, Ontario, where the Buick Regal, Buick Century and Chevrolet Lumina are built.

GM said recently that they have an approximate 87-day supply of unsold vehicles, which is well above the 60-day level automakers typically prefer. Ford recently said that it has about an 80-day inventory, DaimlerChrysler AG's loss-making Chrysler arm has about a 60-day supply.

U.S. based automakers have cut production over the past several months to trim inventories bloated by weak sales. February U.S. sales for GM, Ford and Chrysler slid a combined 10 percent over the same month last year.

GM has said it looks to cut production 21 percent from January through this month over the same period last year, with plans to trim second-quarter output by 17 percent.

Ford has revised its North American production this quarter upward by 1 percent, putting that output still down 16 percent versus the first three months last year. Ford, the world's second-largest automaker, said it plans to produce 5 percent fewer vehicles from April through June than in that span last year.

To trim inventories, Ford idled 15 plants for a combined 19 weeks in January, scaled back two factories for one week apiece last month and expects to have all of its plants running straight-time shifts in March. Ford said all of its North American plants will be operating.

Chrysler has idled its Newark, DE plant for the week of March 12, 2001 and the company's Bramalea, Ontario factory is midway through a two-week shutdown.

March 5, 2001 — At the Society of Automotive Engineers 2001 World Congress, Delphi Automotive Systems announced that it will introduce 10 new mobile multimedia products and technologies during 2001.

A brief overview of the 10 new products and technologies follows:

Delphi MPCpro Available Via Internet for $499
Delphi's first Communiport® Mobile Productivity Center model, called the "MPCpro," is available for consumers to order on the company's Internet site at http://www.delphiauto.com/communiport.net for a retail price of $499.

The MPC is a new electronic device designed to help busy consumers stay organized and connected in their vehicles. The cellular phone and Palm handheld computer are sold separately. The first model of the MPC lineup, called Communiport MPCpro synchronizes several phones and a Palm V or Vx handheld computer and then allows drivers to access the data and make hands-free phone calls through voice commands and text-to-speech software.

The MPC will initially be available for purchase on the Internet.

Communiport® Rear-Seat Entertainment System
Delphi's Communiport® Rear-Seat Entertainment System will be available for sale this spring at www.delphiauto.com/communiport. The system will allow rear-seat passengers to play Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) movies, CDs or plug-in game platforms. The system fits almost any car or truck, regardless of the size of the rear seat.

Telematics for Lexus LS 430
Delphi has begun supplying telematics units for the Lexus LS 430.

Delphi's telematics modules provide two-way voice and data communication exchanges between the Lexus LS 430 and the Lexus Link call center. Delphi's telematics module integrates a global positioning satellite receiver, cellular phone and digital signal processor. The module enables the driver to communicate with the call center using hands-free operation.

802.11 Wireless Networking Technology
802.11b is a critical technology enabler to allow consumers to download compressed digital audio and video information through a wireless local area network between their vehicles and the home or office. Delphi and 3Com's 802.11b network will allow for a wireless exchange of information at speeds up to 11Mbps. The technology is expected to be available to consumers within the next 12 to 24 months.

Satellite Digital Audio Receivers
Delphi was one of the first OEMs to seal agreements to produce receivers for the new Satellite Digital Audio Service that will offer consumers coast-to-coast satellite digital audio radio this year. Delphi will produce receiver modules that will connect consumers to both XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio services.

Truck Productivity Center
Delphi will also provide the hardware to Freightliner for its truck products. With its Truck Productivity Computer, Delphi is helping heavy duty trucking companies better manage their fleets. The computer system connects the truck data bus to the fleet management center to report the vehicle position and diagnostic position. It also provides the truck with navigation, integrated cell phone and electronic mail capabilities via voice recognition.

MP3 Playback Receivers
Also included in Delphi's line of mobile multimedia products are Communiport® brand MP3 playback devices. MP3 is short for the audio part (layer 3) of the MPEG (Motion Picture Expert Group) specification. This is an audio compression standard that emerged about three years ago and has been growing in popularity on the Internet. It enables digital audio music files to be compressed by a factor of 10 or more without compromising sound quality. Using MP3, music can be compressed off standard music CDs and converted into MP3 computer files for personal use. Delphi is offering the playback mechanism in both recordable CD format (CD-ROM) and flash memory cards.

Integrated Navigation Radio
Delphi has developed a cost-competitive product that allows GPS navigation to be integrated with a vehicle's radio. The Communiport® Integrated Navigation Radio allows consumers to get GPS navigation directions and maps on a full color LCD screen.

Infotainment PC
Delphi will provide a smarter receiver for vehicle manufacturers. The Infotainment PC will provide consumers with voice recognition, hands-free integrated cell phone, Internet access and e-mail. Voice recognition controls and text-to-speech readout of e-mail for Internet contents allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

Mobilearia
Delphi also announced a new venture with Palm and The Mayfield Fund to form an independent wireless services company slated to begin operation in the second half of 2001. The company will supply services such as two-way email, Internet access, news, weather, sports, traffic, financial information and turn-by-turn navigation.

March 6, 2001 - It’s been said that "rules are made to be broken," but when it comes to driving, men are more likely to do so than women in several critical areas, according to just released national driving survey results. The survey, conducted by Response Insurance, a direct-to-the-consumer auto insurance company focusing on responsible drivers, revealed that 87% of drivers admit to taking liberties with road rules and driving safety. Male drivers are more likely than women to break the rules in virtually every category raised.

The most dramatic differences between men and women were related to exceeding the posted speed limit when others are doing it (58% of men vs. 48% of women) and using improper escape routes to avoid traffic (16% vs. 11% of women). Men were also much more likely to flash their headlights to alert oncoming traffic of police hideouts (27% of men vs. 18% of women). And when caught, men are more likely to try talking their way out of getting a ticket (16% vs. 11% of women).

"These infractions are widespread and often dangerous," noted Mory Katz, Chairman of Response Insurance. "When it comes to driving, rules are not made to be broken, they’re made to ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians."

Response Insurance is well known for being the sponsor of the National Driving Habits Survey, which launched a nation-wide debate over the danger of cell phone usage and other driving distractions.

CARS

Year

Make

Cyl

Model

Dr

Location

Invoice

Ref #

01

Buick

6

LeSabre Custom

4

Bismarck, ND

$21,872

01005Z

01

Chry

6

Concorde Lxi

4

Fremont, CA

$24,058

21038

01

Chry

6

300M

4

Baltimore, MD

$27,828

00298

01

Chry

6

300M

4

Clarksville, MD

$27,828

00299

01

Ford

8

Crown Vic Sedan

4

Ansonia, CT

$20,390

20068

01

Ford

4

Escort ZX2 Coupe

2

Flourtown, PA

$13,706

10811

01

Linc

8

Continental

4

Oakland, CA

$39,133

21001

01

Merc

6

Sable LS Premium

4

Gladstone, OR

$22,062

06009

01

Merc

8

Grand Marquis LS

4

Overland Park, KS

$23,588

21030

01

Pont

6

Grand Prix GT Sedan

4

Houston, TX

$22,069

01220

01

Pont

6

Bonneville SE Sedan

4

Oklahoma City, OK

$22,729

12126

TRUCKS

Year

Make

Cyl

Model

Location

Invoice

Ref #

01

Chevy

6

Astro Cargo AWD

Baltimore, MD

$20,872

Multiple

01

Chevy

6

Astro Passenger

Tampa, FL

$21,531

21081

01

Chevy

6

Blazer 4x2 4 Dr

Shingle Springs, CA

$23,673

01106

01

Chevy

8

Tahoe 4X4

Gillette, WY

$26,772

11003

01

Chevy

4

S-10 P/U 4X2

Shreveport, LA

$11,624

Multiple

01

Chevy

6

Express 2500 Cargo Van

Crown Steel

$18,007

168317

01

Chevy

8

Silverado1500 Ext Cab 4x4

Monahans, TX

$23,979

94544

01

Chevy

8

Silverado1500 Ext Cab 4x2

Liberty, TX

$20,840

94489

01

Chevy

8

Silverado1500 Ext Cab 4x4

Kingsville, TX

$23,816

Multiple

01

Chevy

8

Silverado 2500 Reg Cab 4x4

Andrews, TX

$21,362

94718

01

Chevy

8

Silverado 2500 w/Service body

Bakersfield, CA

$25,275

Multiple

01

Ford

8

Expedition XLT 4x2

Buckner, KY

$28,390

01105

01

Ford

8

Expedition XLT 4x2

Dahlonega, GA

$27,944

10152

01

Ford

8

F150 Supercab XL 4x2

Pittsburgh, PA

$19,653

21112

01

Ford

8

F150 Supercab XL 4x2

Brooksville, IN

$19,999

21102

01

Ford

8

F250 Reg Cab 4x4

Elizabethtown, NC

$27,853

51207

01

Ford

8

F250 Reg Cab 4x4

Emporia, VA

$27,891

51236

01

Ford

8

E350 XL Super Duty Wagon

Mt. Laurel, NJ

$24,262

31041

01

Ford

8

E350 XL Super Duty Wagon

Modesto, CA

$21,732

09760

01

Chry

6

Voyager

Florissant, MO

$18,296

03486

01

Chry

6

Voyager

Davis, CA

$18,296

03488

01

Chry

6

Voyager

Davis, CA

$18,296

03491

01

Chry

6

Voyager

Framingham, MA

$18,296

03499

01

Dodge

6

Caravan SE FWD

Cleveland, TN

$19,785

21003

01

Dodge

8

Durango

Elmhurst, IL

$26,618

200103

01

Dodge

6

Dakota Club Cab 4x2

Grand Prairie, TX

$18,145

01146

01

Dodge

8

2500 Quad Cab P/U 4X4

Scottsdale, PA

$26,005

01825

01

Dodge

8

1500 Quad Cab P/U 4X2

Cincinnati, OH

$21,700

200123

01

Dodge

8

1500 Reg Cab P/U 4X4

Monroeville, PA

$23,432

99680

01

GMC

6

Sonoma 4x2

Dallas, TX

$13,169

601169

01

GMC

6

Safari Passenger Van

Memphis, TN

$20,832

Multiple

01

GMC

6

Safari Passenger Van

Jacksonville, FL

$20,832

01015Z

00

Jeep

6

Cherokee Sport 4X2

Garden Grove, CA

$20,036

40994

01

Pont

6

Montana Regular 4DR

Mechanicsburg, PA

$23,812

Multiple

01

Pont

6

Montana Regular 4DR

Hamburg, PA

$23,380

013259

01

Pont

6

Montana Regular 4DR

Salisbury, NC

$23,380

013233

Call your ARI representative for details!