Beginning March 19, 2001 and continuing through August 31, 2001, Ford is offering a series of Spring Value Packages for Commercial Fleet customers on select models of Taurus, Sable, F-Series, E-Series and Windstar.

To be eligible, customers must have a valid Fleet Identification Number (FIN).

In the previous issue of the Purchasing News, ARI announced that the Ford Taurus FFV engine would become standard equipment as of March 14, 2001.

Ford has since issued revised information. The Taurus 992/FFV engine will remain optional for all Commercial Fleet order types for the remainder of the 2001 MY or until further notice. The FFV engine will be standard on Government order types.

March 23, 2001 - More than a dozen well-known organizations have now joined forces to tackle one of the toughest engineering challenges of our time - taking the country's most popular working vehicle and taming its environmental impact.

The FutureTruck program, begun two years ago as a joint government-industry project by General Motors Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to take the wildly-successful sport utility vehicle and make it a "greener" vehicle. Since the program began, new partners and sponsors have been climbing aboard to offer technical expertise, material support, donated equipment and financial support.

FutureTruck brings together the resources of industry, government, and academia to solve the important environmental and technical problems posed by the growing demand for light-duty trucks. This program challenges student teams from 15 top North American universities to re-engineer a full-size Chevrolet Suburban into a low-emission, high-efficiency vehicle - without sacrificing the performance, utility, safety, and affordability that customers want. To do this, students explore cutting-edge automotive technologies, such as fuel cells and advanced propulsion systems, space age materials, and alternative fuels such as ethanol and hydrogen. All teams are using hybrid-electric design strategies.

General Motors (GM) has supplied brand-new vehicles, $10,000 seed money and engineering consulting for each team, competition facilities, and operational support. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Argonne National Laboratory subsidiary, has provided competition management, staffing, team evaluation, and technical and financial assistance.

Other sponsors such as The National Science Foundation, Cisco Systems, ArvinMeritor, Delphi Automotive Systems, BP Amoco and The Aluminum Association are providing a range of support from technical expertise to financial aid. In addition, several other organizations have joined FutureTruck as competition supporters.

All major sponsors will provide judges during the competition events, which are scheduled for June 4-11 at the General Motors Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan. They will present more than $60,000 in cash awards to the winning teams at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History on June 13 in Washington, DC.

For more information about the FutureTruck program, go to http://www.futuretruck.org.

Delphi’s INTELLEK ™ Humidity Sensor

Delphi Automotive Systems, a leader in automotive product development, is at the forefront of new sensor technology. The INTELLEK ™ Humidity Sensor, currently under development for automotive systems, is another Delphi product designed with the customer in mind.

Moisture Detective
Relative humidity is the measure of the moisture level of the surrounding air. In the automotive environment, this is an important input for improving the accuracy of the engine management system (EMS). Accurate measurements of relative humidity also help the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system predict and prevent formation of window fog and frost.

Special electronics produce a voltage message that can be "read" by the EMS or HVAC system for more efficient operation.

Improved Engine Performance
The relative humidity of air entering an automotive engine affects the engine's combustion efficiency - the ability of the spark plugs to ignite the fuel/air mixture in the combustion chamber at the right time. In an engine management system, the INTELLEK Humidity Sensor measures humidity levels of incoming engine air, helping to calculate a more precise fuel-to-air ratio for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Clear View Straight Ahead
Dew point conditions are reached when the air is fully saturated with water. When the cabin dew point temperature is the same as the windshield glass temperature, water from the air condenses quickly, creating frost or fog. Drivers must divert their attention from the road to use dashboard defrost/defog controls to restore visibility.

Delphi's advanced technology teams are developing a multifunction sensor for the HVAC system that integrates the INTELLEK Humidity Sensor with a humidity reference temperature-sensing element and a glass- temperature-sensing element. The Integrated Dew Point and Glass Temperature (IDGT) sensor, soon to be marketed under the INTELLEK name, signals the HVAC system controls to initiate the necessary actions to prevent visible fog formation.

The INTELLEK Humidity Sensor prototype production is scheduled for later this year and could be available to consumers by late 2002.

Volvo Car Corporation is preparing itself for the leap into the demanding and expansive SUV segment. The Volvo Adventure Concept Car (ACC), which was first shown at the International Auto Show in Detroit, is the first indication of what is waiting around the corner.

The Volvo ACC, which is expected to hit dealer show rooms within the next two years, will differ slightly from the show car. "We are naturally hoping to create a solid commercial base for our introduction. It is therefore important to hear the views and comments of our customers while we still have time to make precision adjustments to the product," says Dieter Laxy, head of marketing, sales and service at Volvo Car Corporation. During the time that the Detroit Auto Show was open to the public, visitors were able to make their views of the ACC known directly to Volvo's SUV team via special computer monitors.

April showers bring May flowers…and wet driving conditions. Now that the long winter is over, millions of Americans will take to the roads again for holiday road trips and long weekend getaways.

As you prepare to hit the road again this spring, consider the following advice from the Rubber Manufacturers Association to make sure your tires are ready for the trip and that you arrive safely at your destination:

• Good brakes and years of driving experience aren’t enough to ensure that you will be able to stop quickly in wet weather. In fact, stopping on a wet road can take up to four times the normal distance on a dry road. During wet weather conditions, drive slowly and keep in mind that stopping distances will be longer.
• Check the pressure of your tires once a month, and before every long trip, to ensure that when you do need to stop, your tires can do everything they’re supposed to do to help you. The correct inflation pressure for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner’s manual. The maximum inflation pressure listed on the tire is not the recommended pressure.
• Rain water that mixes with oil or grime on the streets can cause slippery conditions that may result in unexpected skidding. Slow down and pay attention to the possibility of skidding.
• Make sure you have the alignment and balance of your tires checked regularly so that if you do skid, your vehicle is properly equipped to help you stop safely.
• Rotating your tires can sometimes help correct irregular tire wear. Before rotating your tires, always refer to your car’s owner's manual for rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles.
• In a sudden downpour, driving fast or driving on worn tires can cause your tires to hydroplane - this means that your tires "surf" along on a film of water just like a water skier.
• Slow down in sudden downpours and make sure you check the tread on your tires once per month and before every long trip. Your tires should have at least 1/16 inch of tread depth.

In many areas of the country, the snow and ice of winter have left roads in bad shape. The repeated freezing and thawing of moisture seeps through road surfaces and causes potholes. Keep these driving tips in mind this spring as you travel:

• Hitting potholes can throw your car’s front end out of alignment. If you feel your car "pulling" during driving, that’s a clue that you could have a problem. Check the tread on your tires: uneven tread wear can be a sign of misalignment. If you hit a severe pothole, have a tire dealer check your vehicles’ alignment and tire balance.
• When you hit a pothole you can damage your tire and/or the metal wheel of your vehicle. Keeping your tires properly inflated will help reduce damage from potholes and other road hazards.
• The impact of potholes on tires increases dramatically with speed and can cause hidden, internal damage that could lead to tire failure weeks, or even months, later. It’s best to avoid potholes entirely, but if that’s not possible, don’t brake during the pothole impact. Instead, apply brakes before hitting a pothole and release them just prior to impact. Braking during the impact sets up the tire and wheel assembly for a "solid hit" against the edge of the hole. Less severe damage occurs when a tire is rolling than when it is skidding over a hole during braking.

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

00296

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

Grand Prix GTP Sedn

4

Richmond, VA

$24,685

54542

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 Passenger

Tampa, FL

$21,531

21081

01

Chevy

6

Blazer LT 4x2 4 Dr

Alhambra, CA

$25,162

01223

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

Silverado1500 Reg Cab 4x2

Crane, TX

$17,658

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

00

Ford

6

E250 Cargo Van

Mt. Laurel, NJ

$18,669

00399

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

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

Call your ARI representative for details!