DaimlerChrysler Releases 2002 Intrepid Pricing

DaimlerChrysler recently released the introductory pricing for the 2002 MY Intrepid SE, ES and R/T models. These prices represent initial 2002 MY firm prices; therefore, price protection is not applicable. The Intrepid SE can now be ordered with a (22D) value package, which features an 8-way power driver seat, remote keyless entry, CD player and aluminum wheels. The total value of the 22D package is $1,650 and it is offered at a discounted price of $1,160. The base Intrepid ES will feature a 234hp 3.5L V6 engine and a CD player as standard equipment for only $45 more than the 2001 model which included a 2.7L V6 engine and cassette player. The R/T model is fully equipped with leather seat trim and offers a sunroof and two radio options. 2002 MY Introductory Pricing - Intrepid Model MSRP Destination Charge Intrepid SE $20,370 $625 Intrepid ES $22,530 $625 Intrepid R/T $26,615 $625

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FORD ANNOUNCES SAFETY RECALL ON CERTAIN 2001 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES

Ford Motor Company is announcing a voluntary safety recall of 1.4 million model year 2001 cars and trucks to inspect the front driver-side and front passenger-side seat belt buckles. The front center and all rear seating position seat belt buckles are not affected. Due to outside supplier manufacturing issues, a small percentage of these seat belt buckles may not latch properly if insufficient force is applied when inserting the tongue into the buckle. If the seat belt release button does not return to its full up position upon latching, the buckle may not be fully latched. "We estimate a defect rate among the recall population of less than five percent," said Ann O'Neill, director, vehicle service and programs, Ford Customer Service Division. "But even if a vehicle was to have a defective buckle, the potential for any safety issue is extremely small. Our testing indicates that even among defective buckles, customers can help assure a proper latching of their seat belt if they push the tongue quickly and forcefully into the buckle, and then pull on it to help ensure the seat belt is securely latched. " The recall affects the 2001 Ford Crown Victoria, Windstar, Ranger, F-Series, Excursion and Expedition; the Mercury Grand Marquis, Lincoln Town Car and Navigator; and the Mazda B-Series truck, all built from the beginning of the 2001 model year through May 26, 2001. Other model years and vehicle lines are not affected, because these vehicles utilize a different buckle. Owners affected by the recall will be notified via first-class mail to return the vehicle to a Ford, Lincoln Mercury or Mazda dealer to have the seat belt buckle operation tested. Buckles identified as potentially defective will be replaced. Testing, and any resulting seat belt buckle replacement, will be completed at no charge.

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GM RECALLS CERTAIN 2001 CHEVROLET AND GMC TRUCKS

General Motors announced that a recall campaign is under way regarding a specified number of Chevrolet and GMC full-size trucks. This recall involves approximately 10,000 model year 2001 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra full-size extended-cab pickups and Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban and GMC Yukon, Yukon Denali, Yukon XL, and Yukon XL Denali full-size sport utility vehicles. "The recall does not apply to all GM full-size pickups and SUVs, only certain ones produced with suspect seat belt retractor assemblies," said Gary White, Vehicle Line Executive for General Motors Full-Size Trucks. Some of these trucks may have a component in the outboard safety belt retractor assembly of the second and/or third row seats that may fracture. A fracture in this component may result in the safety belt retractor not locking or not securing the child seat in the event of a collision. There have been no reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition. Chevrolet and GMC dealers will inspect the outboard safety belt retractor assembly of the second and/or third row seats of these vehicles to determine if they have the fracture or conditions to cause a fracture and replace them if necessary. These repairs will be performed at no cost to the customers.

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2002 NISSAN MAXIMA OFFERS 260-HORSEPOWER V6 ENGINE

The 2002 Nissan Maxima sedan, which began production on May 1, 2001, will offer a new 260-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, 6-speed manual transmission and numerous interior and exterior refinements. Maxima is known for its V6 3.0-liter powerplant, part of the VQ engine series, which has been named one of the "10 Best Engines" by Ward’s Auto World for seven consecutive years. For 2002, the VQ engine has been enlarged to 3.5 liters. This DOHC 24-valve V6 now produces 260 horsepower and 246 lb-ft of torque, increases of 38 horsepower and 29 lb-ft of torque over the 2001 Maxima’s 3.0-liter engine. Besides the increased displacement, other enhancements made to the engine include a silent timing chain and electronically controlled throttle. For the first time on Maxima, a close-ratio 6-speed manual will be standard on SE models (available 10/01). This transmission optimizes the powerband of the new 3.5-liter engine and is geared towards the serious driving enthusiast. For additional handling performance, a helical limited-slip differential is optional on manual transmission Maximas (available 12/01). This mechanical differential is torque sensitive and provides instantaneous locking for increased traction and performance. All 2002 Maxima GXE and GLE models come equipped with a standard 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission (optional on SE), which has been strengthened for use with the 3.5-liter V6. The automatic features a gated shifter for better transmission control and a traction control system is optional on GLE and SE models with automatic transmission. Brake system upgrades for 2002 include two advanced systems - Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) which optimizes braking force depending on passenger and cargo load and Brake Assist, which ensures maximum braking capacity is utilized to aid in hard or panic braking situations. Available for the first time on Maxima in 2002 is the Nissan Navigation System. This navigation system includes the three-dimensional Birdview™ map display, which features an easy-to-read rolling display of roads, buildings and other points of interest, in addition to the traditional intersection/flat plane map images. A voice guidance system provides directions throughout the driver’s journey, lowering radio volume when directions are spoken. Maxima’s exterior style has been enhanced in 2002 with a new front grille and aggressive front fascia with large air intake, new 4-bulb headlight design with High Intensity Discharge xenon headlights, standard side-sill spoilers, standard 16-inch or redesigned 17-inch wheels (with different designs for SE and GLE models) and new UV-reducing solar glass. The rear view will feature new rear taillights with clear lenses, revised vehicle badging featuring the new Nissan logo and dual chrome exhaust tip finishers. Three new exterior colors are available on 2002 Maxima - Tungsten Blue, Glacier Pearl and Majestic Blue, all chosen to complement the exterior enhancements made to the vehicle. The interior features numerous improvements, including more supportive seat designs, new titanium-color gated automatic transmission shifter and titanium-color inside door handles and a steering wheel controlled multi-function trip computer. The Maxima GXE features enhanced content for 2002 — many items that were formerly on the option list have now become standard equipment. This includes an 8-way power driver’s seat with manual adjustable lumbar support, height-adjustable center console lid, premium 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with steering wheel audio controls, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, cargo net and HomeLink" Universal Transceiver. 2002 Nissan Maxima 2002 Nissan Maxima Navigation System

 

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CELLPORT TO SUPPLY UNIVERSAL, HANDS-FREE CELL PHONE SYSTEM TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY

In an effort to improve the ability of consumers to use personal cell phones in their vehicles, Cellport Systems, a leading provider of automotive wireless communications technologies and products, announced that Ford Motor Company would be the first automaker to offer the Cellport 3000™ with Voice Command. Cellport 3000 ™ with Voice Command is a universal, voice-activated hands-free system that allows a driver to operate a cell phone while keeping both hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The new Cellport 3000 ™ with Voice Command uses speaker-independent voice recognition, enabling any driver to use simple English commands to place or answer calls on their cell phones without having to look at or touch the phone. The system's patented Universal Docking Station and phone-specific Pocket Adapters accommodate cell phones of various makes and models. Now all family members can use their own preferred cell phones while driving, without the bother or expense of installing different adapter car kits. Ford Motor Company will begin offering the Cellport 300 ™ with Voice Command as a dealer installed option on Taurus sedans and Windstar minivans. It will be available in most Ford vehicles by mid-2002, according to a Ford spokesperson. For more information, please visit the Cellport Systems web site at http://www.cellport.com.

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MITSUBISHI TO DROP NAMEPLATE FROM VEHICLES

Beginning with the 2002 Lancer subcompact, Mitsubishi will begin dropping the company name from its North American vehicles. Instead, the cars will carry a slightly larger version of the three-diamond logo in a reflective chrome color replacing the current red. As each vehicle goes through a model redesign, the name will begin to disappear. The 2004 Montero, which begins production in January 2003, will be the first to undergo the change, followed by the 2004 Galant and the 2005 Eclipse. According to a recent article in Automotive News, a Mitsubishi spokesperson said that the company is trying to achieve a simpler, cleaner, more high-tech look and that the decision was not prompted by bad press that the Mitsubishi brand has received during recent years.

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TOYOTA MOTOR SALES DE MEXICO TO BEGIN SALES DURING SECOND QUARTER OF 2002

Toyota Motor Sales de Mexico will start sales, service and marketing operations of Toyota vehicles in Mexico during the second quarter of 2002, once the initial dealer network is established. "By the second quarter of 2002, at the latest, Mexican consumers will be able to benefit from the quality, safety and service for which Toyota vehicles are known all over the world," affirmed Jose Luis Sanchez Andion, general director of Toyota Motor Sales de Mexico. "With this announcement Toyota confirms its genuine interest and solid long-range commitment to the Mexican market," he added. The Mexican executive also announced that through its participation at the Auto Show Mexico in December 2001, Toyota will be one of the most anticipated attractions of this important automotive event in Mexico. Toyota vehicles will be available for Mexican consumers through a dealer network that will be established in the main cities of the country. The company is still in the process of defining the dealer network. Toyota Motor Sales de Mexico was established in May 2001 to start planning the sales, marketing and service operations of Toyota vehicles in the country. Toyota has entered into an agreement with Autos Especiales de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (AESA), to import vehicles using export credits accumulated by manufacturing affiliates and suppliers of Toyota in Mexico, such as Denso Mexicana and Aisin Mexicana, which manufacture parts such as instrument panels, door locks and other components for the North American auto industry.

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DISTRACTED DRIVERS POSE SAFETY HAZARD

Cell Phones Only a Slight Road Risk Each year, an estimated 284,000 distracted drivers are involved in serious crashes, according to a study conducted by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. "We found that 15 percent of drivers in the study were not paying attention and just over half of these (8.3 percent) were distracted by something inside or outside the vehicle," said Dr. Jane Stutts, manager of epidemiological studies at the UNC center and author of the study. Using data from 1995 through 1999 including 32,303 vehicles, the study found that drivers were most often distracted by something outside their vehicle (29.4 percent) followed by adjusting a radio or CD player (11.4 percent). Other distractions included talking with other occupants (10.9 percent), adjusting vehicle or climate controls (2.8 percent), eating or drinking (1.7 percent), cell-phone use (1.5 percent) and smoking (0.9 percent). While cities and states are passing laws that ban handheld cell phone use while driving, the study indicates that cell phone distraction is relatively low compared to other situations that distract drivers. "When you look at 5 years of data, we saw no increase in cell phone-caused crashes," said Strutts. "With the increase in cell phone use we would assume some corresponding increase in crashes." However, Stutts said that substituting handsfree devices for handheld cell phones might create a false sense of security because research shows that the higher risk is not due to dialing or holding the phone, but the cognitive level of distraction that occurs during conversation.

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