March 29, 2001 - Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) announced the MSRP of the 2002 model year Forester model line. Pricing on 2002 Forester models has been retained despite the addition of new standard equipment.

Forester L, S and S with a Premium Package models all receive a cargo area cover, daytime running lights and a dual mode rear window wiper with washer. Forester S body cladding has been changed from Titanium Pearl to Graystone Metallic, for the 2002 model year. Forester S models will continue to be available with the features that made the Premium Package so popular last year, including: power moonroof, front seat side-impact airbags, monotone paint and gold-accented alloy wheels. Subaru offers a new S model with a Premium Package that includes factory-installed leather-trimmed upholstery, available on automatic transmission models only. The leather-trimmed upholstery upgrade adds only $700 to the MSRP. A 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is available as an option on all models for $800.

For added peace of mind, all 2002 model year Subaru Forester models feature 24-hour roadside assistance coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles. All 2002 Forester models comply with Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) standards and are certified for sale in all 50 states.

For more information visit the Subaru website at http://www.subaru.com.

$20,295

$21,095

$22,895

$23,695

Forester S with Premium Package,

$23,895

Forester S with Premium Package,

$25,395

*The destination and delivery fee is $525 on all models except in Alaska ($685). Prices shown do not include destination and delivery charges, licenses and state or local taxes. Independent distributor's destination and delivery rates may vary.

Ford has extended the final order due dates for most 2001 models.

Please submit your orders at least 3 business days prior to the final order due date.

Revised Ford, Lincoln & Mercury Final Order Dates

Model

* Final Order Date

Cars

Continental

May 9, 2001

LS

May 9, 2001

Town Car

May 9, 2001

Escort/Escort ZX2

May 18, 2001

Crown Vic/Grand Marquis

May 23, 2001

Crown Vic Police

May 16, 2001

Crown Victoria NVG (Police & Taxi)

Balanced Out

Mustang

June 1, 2001

Focus

June 1, 2001

Taurus/Sable

June 1, 2001

Taurus/Sable FFV

June 1, 2001

Cougar

June 10, 2001

Trucks

F-Series SD (Heavy Duty) Super Duty(Over 8,500# GVWR)

May 4, 2001

Super Duty Bi-Fuel Propane

May 4, 2001

F150 Dedicated Natural Gas

May 25, 2001

F150 Bi-Fuel Propane and Natural Gas

May 25, 2001

Excursion

May 4, 2001

Econoline Van/Wagon

May 25, 2001

Econoline Van and Wagon Dedicated Natl Gas

June 1, 2001

Econoline Cutaway Dedicated Natural Gas

May 23, 2001

F-Series (Light Duty) (Under 8,500# GVWR)

May 25, 2001

Escape

May 25, 2001

Ranger

June 1, 2001

Ranger EV

TBD

Balanced Out

Navigator

May 25, 2001

Expedition

May 25, 2001

Windstar Van/Wagon

June 1, 2001

LA - Medium Royal Blue

PA - Deep Emerald Green

D6 - Cabernet Red

 

F650/750

June 1, 2001

Villager Wagon

June 1, 2001

Explorer Sport and Sport Trac

August 5, 2001

2001 Explorer/Mountaineer 4-Door

Balanced Out

April 5, 2001 - Further establishing Toyota as a leader in advanced automotive technology, Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) is now available on six Toyota Division models.

Toyota developed a VSC system that relies on electronics to help control a vehicle when a loss of traction is imminent. Toyota offers VSC as standard equipment on Land Cruiser, Sequoia and 4Runner sport utility vehicles. VSC is also offered as optional equipment on Sienna minivan, Avalon full-size sedan and the all-new Highlander SUV.

A large number of single vehicle accidents are caused by the loss of traction under lateral skidding conditions. VSC senses the onset of traction loss and helps the driver stay on track. This is achieved via the system’s ability to reduce engine power and to control the brake actuator. While other systems such as anti-lock brakes and traction control work to help prevent straight-line skids, VSC helps to avoid the loss of control up to the physical limits of the traction available under lateral skidding conditions.

The VSC system harnesses the ABS and traction control sensors, actuators, and computer electronics to help the driver avoid vehicle skids and spins. Using input from four wheel-speed sensors, a directional sensor, a deceleration sensor and a steering wheel angle sensor, the VSC computer uses engine throttle control and individual wheel braking to help counteract skidding and spinning.

The VSC system also includes a slip indicator with a warning sound and light to alert the driver that the tires are about to exceed the grip limit.

Additional vehicles in the Toyota model lineup will receive VSC technology in the future.

A hybrid-electric powered Ford Escape is being designed to be the cleanest, most fuel-efficient sport utility on the planet when it debuts in 2003. Ford is the first automaker to announce production plans for a hybrid-electric powered sport utility vehicle and will have a test fleet on the road later in 2001.

The Ford Escape HEV will feature an electric drivetrain to augment its fuel-efficient four-cylinder gasoline engine. With regenerative braking and nearly instantaneous start-stop capability, the Escape HEV will be especially fuel efficient in the city, delivering about 40 mpg in urban driving. Yet Escape HEV will deliver acceleration performance similar to an Escape equipped with the V-6 engine. The hybrid Escape will be capable of being driven more than 500 miles on a single tank of gasoline.

The Escape HEV will qualify as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) under California standards and will operate more cleanly than government regulations require.

"We are developing what we believe will be the most fuel efficient and clean-operating sport utility vehicle available anywhere – a hybrid-electric version of the Ford Escape." Ford is committed to bringing this advanced technology to the heart of the American market," says Neil Ressler, vice president, Research and Vehicle Technology, Ford Motor Company.

The Escape HEV will undergo rigorous truck testing to ensure the vehicle is "Built Ford Tough." It will have available 4x4 capability, the same ground clearance as the base model Escape and comparable cargo capacity. The Escape HEV will be built on the same assembly line in Kansas City, Missouri as the standard Escape and will be a full-fledged member of the Ford Outfitters.

As many states consider legislation to strengthen child passenger safety laws, a new survey lends even greater urgency to their actions. A national study found that nine out of ten parents believe that if they adhere to their state's current child passenger safety laws, they will be taking adequate steps to protect their children. No state law currently meets the standards universally recommended by safety experts.

The survey queried 1,000 parents and caregivers with children eight years of age and younger. It was conducted by DaimlerChrysler and its free child safety seat inspection service—Fit for a Kid—with technical assistance from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Some states, such as Ohio and New York, allow children as young as three years old to ride completely unrestrained in the back seat or to ride in seat belts rather than in safety seats. Seat belts do not fit most children under the age of eight and can actually cause serious injury to small children in a crash. Two states – California and Washington – have recently passed new laws requiring children to be in booster seats but only up to age six or 60 pounds.

Safety organizations, such as NHTSA and the National Safety Council (NSC), recommend the use of child safety seats, including booster seats for children through age eight, about 80 pounds and up to 4'9" tall. Because no state laws meet these standards, more than 20 million children are at risk of death or injury in crashes as a result.

Chrysler Group's Director of Safety Compliance, Matt Reynolds pointed out that parents can get help deciding which safety seat is right for their child and how to properly install the seat at nearly 500 Fit for a Kid dealers across the nation. Dealers offer the service by appointment, to meet the schedules of caregivers. For a list of participating dealers, visit http://www.fitforakid.com.

According to NHTSA, 84 percent of children age four to eight killed in car crashes in the 1990s were either completely unrestrained or incorrectly restrained in an adult seat belt restraint. Less than 10 percent of children between the ages of four and eight use booster seats. Car crashes remain the number one killer of children. NHTSA research also shows that adults who buckle up are three times more likely to buckle up kids, so strong adult laws are needed to ensure children are protected. NHTSA established a Web-based inspection locator service at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov to help families find child passenger safety resources and information.

Summary of Child Passenger Safety Survey Commissioned by DaimlerChrysler with the Support of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

• Eighty-seven percent of drivers of children age eight or under say they are very or somewhat familiar with their state law regarding having to properly secure children in either a safety seat or seat belt.
• And eight out of ten (83%) respondents DO correctly identify the child safety restraint law in their state is a primary law, meaning a police officer can ticket drivers for not securing a child in a safety seat or seat belt just like any other traffic violation.
• More than nine out of ten respondents (95%) believe if they follow their state law regarding child restraint in a motor vehicle, they are doing what is necessary to make sure children are adequately protected in a motor vehicle.
• After respondents heard the actual state law for child restraint in their state, still almost nine out of ten (88%) of respondents believe that if they follow their state law regarding child restraint in a motor vehicle, they are doing what is necessary to make sure children are adequately protected in a motor vehicle.
• Only 11 percent of respondents said they do NOT believe the state law provides adequate protection for children in a motor vehicle. These respondents were asked an open-ended question about what more they thought should be done. Respondents said the state law should include a requirement on the use of booster seats, the law should be based only on weight and not age to ensure all kids are secured properly, seat belt use should be required of children until age 18, and kids under a certain age or height should be required by law to sit in the back seat away from the air bag.
• Observational research tells us only 20 percent of child safety seats are correctly installed and used, however more than nine out of ten (93%) respondents say they are comfortable they always correctly install and always properly use their child safety seat.
• Ninety-six percent of respondents do not know the correct age at which a child no longer requires a child safety seat or booster seat. The median age that respondents think it is safe to secure a child in a seat belt is five.
• Forty-six percent of respondents are unaware of the recommendation by national safety officials that parents should have child safety seats inspected to make sure they are properly installed and used.
• Four out of ten (43%) respondents are aware there are places to go to get their child safety seat inspected.
• Only 23 percent of respondents report they have actually had a professional child safety seat inspection.
• 93 percent of parents said they were comfortable that they were using their child seats correctly—in reality, fewer than 20 percent of seats are correctly installed.

The study, conducted Dec. 11-14, 2000, has a margin of error of 3.10% in the 95 percent confidence interval.
Conducted by Public Opinion Strategies, Alexandria, VA.