GM OFFERS COMMERCIAL FLEET CUSTOMERS A NEW ONSTAR PREMIUM PLAN

In a GM Fleet & Commercial Operations message dated June 13, 2001, GM announced a program that offers a new Onstar Commercial Premium Plan and other OnStar services at the time of the vehicle purchase. This means that commercial fleet customers may select an option code, for the desired level of OnStar service, at the time the order is placed. The program period begins from the time the 2002 MY order banks open through the closing of the 2002 MY order banks. All GM 2002 MY vehicles equipped with factory installed OnStar are eligible for the program, except Saab and Saturn. No refunds will be made for units sold prior to the expiration of the purchased service plan. However, the remaining time may be transferred to the next vehicle owner. OnStar subscriptions start at the time of the vehicle delivery. OnStar Service Plans Safety and Security Plan — Includes automatic notification of air bag deployment, emergency services, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle tracking, remote door unlock, remote diagnostics, accident assistance and hands-free communications. For all eligible vehicles except Cadillac, the first year’s subscription to this plan is included in the price of the vehicle at the time of initial purchase. Full Premium Plan — Includes all Safety and Security Plan benefits plus route support, ride assistance, information services, convenience services and concierge services. For all Cadillac vehicles, the first year’s subscription to this plan is included in the price of the vehicle at the time of initial purchase. Commercial Premium Plan — Includes all Full Premium Service Plan benefits except reservations and concierge services. This level of service is available for any eligible vehicle, however, it is not available unless specifically chosen by selecting one of the two appropriate options detailed below (* R8U or R8V). Please note that a two-year minimum subscription is required for this plan. OnStar Options for All Eligible Vehicles (Except Cadillac) Code Plan Description Cost R8G Provides a cumulative 2nd year of Safety and Security Service in addition to the 1st year of Safety and Security Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $199 R8P Provides cumulative 2nd and 3rd years of Safety and Security Service in addition to the 1st year of Safety and Security Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $379 R8U* Provides 2 years of Commercial Premium Service at the time of purchase. In the 1st year, this Commercial Premium Service is in lieu of the Safety and Security Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $499 R8V* Provides 3 years of Commercial Premium Service at the time of purchase. In the 1st year, this Commercial Premium Service is in lieu of the Safety and Security Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $749 R8W Provides an upgrade in the 1st year to the Full Premium Service from the Safety and Security Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $200 R8Y Provides 2 years of Full Premium Service at the time of purchase. In the 1st year, this Full Premium Service is in lieu of the Safety and Security Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $599 R8Z Provides 3 years of Full Premium Service at the time of purchase. In the 1st year, this Full Premium Service is in lieu of the Safety and Security Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $979 OnStar Options for All Eligible Cadillac Vehicles Code Plan Description Cost R8G Provides a cumulative 2nd year of Safety and Security Service in addition to the 1st year of Full Premium Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $199 R8P Provides cumulative 2nd and 3rd years of Safety and Security Service in addition to the 1st year of Full Premium Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $379 R8U* Provides 2 years of Commercial Premium Service at the time of purchase. In the first year, this Commercial Premium Service is in lieu of the Full Premium Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $299 R8V* Provides 3 years of Commercial Premium Service at the time of purchase. In the 1st year, this Commercial Premium Service is in lieu of the Full Premium Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $549 R8Y Provides a cumulative 2nd year of Full Premium Service in addition to the 1st year of Full Premium Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $399 R8Z Provides cumulative 2nd and 3rd years of Full Premium Service in addition to the 1st year of Full Premium Service that is included in the price of the vehicle. $799

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DAIMLERCHRYSLER ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR THE 2002 INTREPID FLEET PACKAGE

The Fleet Commercial Safety/Convenience Group (AWC) is now available for fleet customers on the 2002 Intrepid SE (LHDH41) with the 22C package. The group will continue to offer the same equipment as the previous model year but with additional content, which includes Bodyside Moldings and Cruise Control. Bottom line pricing for the fleet group (AWC) is $502 after the special fleet discount. Intrepid SE w/22C Fleet Group (AWC) Content For 2002 Power Driver’s Seat 4-Wheel Disc Anti-lock Brakes Remote Keyless Entry w/2 transmitters Illuminated Entry Bodyside Moldings (new for 2002) Cruise Control (new for 2002) In addition, the following colors are now available on the Dodge Intrepid SE as fleet-only for package 22C: Onyx Green (PJR), Bright Silver Metallic (PS2), Light Almond Pearl Coat (PKJ) and Steel Blue (PBQ). An 8-Way Power Driver’s Seat (JPV) is also available as a fleet-only option for the Intrepid SE with the 22C package.

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NISSAN RECALLS 2001 SENTRAS

On June 18, 2001 Nissan announced a voluntary safety recall campaign for approximately 130,000 2001 model year Sentra models. Of the recalled vehicles, about 79,000 are located in the United States, about 34,000 are in Mexico and 17,000 were sold in Canada. On Sentra models manufactured between July 6, 2000 through April 16, 2001, there is a possibility that one or more of the attachment bolts for the front suspension lower control arms on the left and right sides may break. This could cause unusual noise from the front of the vehicle and/or vibration felt through the steering wheel when hitting bumps and could also affect the steering. According to Nissan, no accidents or injuries have been reported due to this condition. To correct the problem, Nissan dealers will replace all of the attachment bolts for the front suspension lower control arms with new bolts. Nissan will begin contacting owners by mail to request that they schedule appointments with Nissan dealers to have their vehicle repaired at no cost. The recall affects certain 2001 Sentra models only and does not apply to any other Nissan or Infiniti vehicle. Nissan is committed to a high level of customer service and is working with its dealers to address this condition for Sentra customers. Owners of affected vehicles can call 800-647-7261 (U.S.) or 800-387-0122 (Canada).

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CHRYSLER TO OFFER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS ON 2002 SUVS AND FULL-SIZE PICKUPS

The Chrysler Group said it will begin offering side curtain air bags on 75 percent of its 2002 full-size pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles sold under the Jeep® and Dodge brands. The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty, as well as the Dodge Durango and the all-new Dodge Ram Regular Cab and Quad Cab Pickups, will be offered with side curtain air bags. According to Chrysler, the Wrangler will not offer the curtains due to structural limitations of the model. Side curtain air bags offer supplemental protection from head injuries to outboard passengers by deploying from the headliner, covering most of the glass area in both first and second rows. However, Chrysler warns that although side curtain airbags can help reduce or prevent injuries in side-impact crashes, they are not designed to provide protection in vehicle rollovers. The 2002 Ram features the industry's first side curtain air bag for a full-size pickup truck.

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SAAB OFFERS 2001 MY 9-5 FLEET MARKET SHARE CONQUEST INCENTIVE

Saab Cars USA, Inc. recently announced the 2001 MY Saab 9-5 Fleet Market Share Conquest Incentive. This program offers bona fide fleet customers an additional $4,000 on any 2001 Model Year 9-5 port or dealer stock purchase between May 14, 2001 through October 31, 2001. Fleet buyers of 9-5 models are already eligible to receive $2,500 as part of the 2001 Model Year Fleet Program (VX5). The combined incentive provides fleet buyers with $6,500 in incentives. To be eligible, the fleet customer must have a valid GM Fleet Account Number (FAN). A qualified fleet customer is defined as any company that purchases and registers or leases 5 or more new cars and/or trucks for use in its operations during the current or preceding 12-month period. Factory orders and 2002 Model Year vehicles are not eligible for the 2001 MY Saab 9-5 Fleet Market Share Conquest Incentive. Fleet customers may not receive both promotional rates and programs from Saab Financial Services Corp. and fleet incentives. The 2001 MY Saab 9-5 Fleet Market Share Conquest may not be combined with any other Saab Cars USA retail incentives.

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DAIMLERCHRYSLER’S ACTIVE NIGHT VISION WILL GIVE DRIVERS A BETTER VIEW OF THE ROAD AHEAD

DaimlerChrysler recently unveiled a Jeep® Grand Cherokee equipped with the company's unique Active Night Vision. This is a further test of the infrared system that is capable of illuminating objects up to 500 feet in front of the vehicle. The Active Night Vision system illuminates the road scene with infrared light energy to detect all objects in the field of view, regardless of temperature. The system reaches beyond the 130-foot range of conventional high-beam headlights and, because infrared energy is invisible to the human eye, does not distract oncoming drivers. Other current night vision systems are "passive," that is, they sense the infrared energy emitted by objects, but they may miss objects that are at the same temperature as the surrounding environment, such as road signs or debris. In the Active Night Vision system, two laser headlights on the front of the vehicle illuminate the road with infrared light, and a digital camera records the reflected image. The infrared image is then projected in black and white onto a liquid crystal display screen located behind the instrument cluster. "The advantage of Active Night Vision is that it gives the driver a complete view of the road ahead," said Steve Buckley, Manager Electronic Product Innovation at DaimlerChrysler’s Liberty & Technical Affairs Group. The system could significantly reduce dangers of night driving, such as poor visibility and or the distraction of headlights of oncoming vehicles. It is being tested in several DaimlerChrysler vehicles and will eventually be installed in luxury passenger vehicles, buses, trucks, emergency service vehicles and taxis.
	How the Active Night Vision system functions: Two laser headlights on the vehicle's front end illuminate the road by means of infrared light that is invisible to the human eye. The infrared video camera above the windshield records the image, which it then transmits to a LCD screen, located directly in the driver's field of vision.

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TOYOTA PLANS ENTRY INTO MEXICAN MARKET

Toyota Motor Corporation recently announced incorporation of Toyota Motor Sales de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., established to begin planning for sales, marketing and service operations for Toyota vehicles in Mexico. The new company will be based in Mexico City and is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc. The company intends to be in operation and selling vehicles in Mexico upon implementation of the automotive sector agreements included in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Such agreements take effect on January 1st, 2004. Toyota Motor Sales de Mexico will evaluate Mexican market conditions and plan appropriate model lineup, retailer and service network and logistics operations to prepare for implementation of commercial operations. "We are excited about the future of Mexico given its economic performance and stability," said TMS President and CEO Yoshimi Inaba. "Because Toyota wants to be in solid markets, we have been studying Mexico very closely. We are very enthusiastic about Mexico’s new era and confident that it represents a good climate for our future operations. "We are convinced that Toyota can offer Mexican customers a new alternative with quality products and services providing Mexican dealers an outstanding business opportunity," he said. Toyota’s global policy is to place greater responsibility for operations with local management. For this reason the company intends to appoint Mexican executives to major management positions.

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GM’S ORDER-TO-DELIVERY PROCESS IMPROVES SUBSTANTIALLY

In a recent notice from GM’s Fleet and Commercial Operations, GM stated that it expects to be able to deliver all but 115 of the commercial fleet units that were ordered in 2001. To put this into perspective, in the 2000 model year, 2,668 commercial units went undelivered. In the 1999 model year GM was unable to deliver an estimated 10,000 commercial units. The improvements are the result of GM streamlining their order-to-delivery process and adding new technology. In addition, GM has increased their customer support team to ensure that customers receive quality service when addressing specific order inquiries. GM has also improved its overall productivity by nearly 8.5 percent, according to the 2001 Harbor Report.

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