Chrysler recently announced that it will add two new offerings to its PT Cruiser lineup in 2002 – the Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 1 and the Chrysler PT Cruiser "Woodie" Edition.

Dream Cruiser Series 1

The 2002 Chrysler PT Dream Cruiser Series 1 is a limited-edition model that will be available at dealerships by February of 2002. This edition will be the first in a series of factory-customized Dream Cruisers to be introduced on an annual basis.

Chrysler will begin production on January 7, 2002 and will only build 7,500 units in North America, with an MSRP of $23,170 for the manual transmission version and $23,995 for the automatic version (price includes destination charges). *

2002 Limited Edition Dream Cruiser, Series 1

The PT Dream Cruiser will be featured in Inca Gold, which is a metallic chrome-yellow gold that is exclusive to the Dream Cruiser Series.  It will feature a "Dream Cruiser, Series 1" chrome badge on the liftgate. The vehicle will also sport 16" MOPAR chrome wheels with customized gold center caps and bright PT Cruiser graphics.

Inside, a special plaque will be integrated into the instrument panel that reads "Dream Cruiser, Series 1". The plaque also marks the number of the vehicle, 1- 7,500, to indicate the sequence in which it was built as part of the limited edition series.  In addition, "Dream Cruiser" will be embroidered into the floor mats with matching Inca Gold thread.

The same matching color accents appear throughout the interior. Seats are Dark Taupe and Light Pearl Beige with Inca Gold half-moon leather inserts. A unique textured leather, called Matrix leather, is used in the seat cushion, seat back inserts, steering wheel and shift knob on automatic transmissions.

* Due to limited production of the Dream Cruiser, Series 1 model, ARI anticipates little or no fleet allocation. It may be possible to locate a vehicle in a dealers' inventory with assistance from the ARI Stock Purchasing Department, however, it is likely that individual dealers may charge full MSRP, or in some cases, above MSRP for a vehicle. ARI will make every effort to acquire a vehicle at a competitive price by using our network of preferred dealers. Please contact your ARI representative for assistance.

PT Cruiser "Woodie" Edition

Since the PT Cruiser was first introduced in 2000 as an early 2001 model, aftermarket wood paneling applications quickly surfaced throughout the country.

Unlike aftermarket wood applications, the new "Woodie Edition", which features factory installed wood-grained panels on all four doors, the quarter panels and liftgates, will have a full factory warranty.

The Chrysler PT Cruiser "Woodie" option will be available on all PT Cruiser models including base, Touring and Limited models. The MSRP for the option is $895.

2002 PT Cruiser factory installed "Woodie" option

On May 14, 2001 ARI published the content of the 2002 Impala 1SD Fleet Equipment Group in Purchasing News issue #110. We have since received notice that GM's original announcement incorrectly stated that the 1SD package contained the Electrochromic Rearview Mirror (DD6).

The 1SD Equipment Group pricing did not include the DD6 mirror. Therefore, units ordered with 1SD on August 21, 2001 or before are invoiced for the 1SD package plus $111.25 for the DD6 mirror. Vehicles ordered with the 1SD Fleet Equipment Group on or before August 21, 2001 will receive an open account credit in September for $111.25.

The Electrochromic Mirror will not be included with the 1SD package on vehicles ordered after August 21, 2001.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., recently announced MSRP on selected 2002 models – RAV4 compact SUV, Land Cruiser full-size SUV, Tacoma compact pickup and Celica sports coupe. Toyota is currently accepting orders for all 2002 models.

RAV4
The RAV4 was completely redesigned last year and offers minor exterior enhancements for 2002. Base models will have standard gray painted bumpers and bodyside molding and a new spare tire cover. The 2002 "L" models feature a new monochrome look, which includes color-keyed bumpers and bodyside molding.

RAV4's MSRP starts at $16,525 for the 4x2 with five-speed manual transmission. The MSRP for the 4x4 model with automatic transmission will be $18,975. RAV4 prices have increased by $160, or 0.9 percent above last year's prices.

Land Cruiser
The Land Cruiser enters 2002 with standard third row seats, automatic rear climate control system and HomeLink®. The only available factory option is a DVD-based navigation system.

MSRP for the 2002 Land Cruiser will be $52,595, which is $600 or 1.1 percent lower than last year's base price.

Tacoma
The Tacoma offers better value for 2002. Anti-lock brakes, a $590 option in 2001, is reduced nearly 50 percent in price, to $300 in 2002.

Tacoma 4x2 MSRP will begin at $11,900 for a Regular Cab with five-speed manual transmission, and $15,260 for an Xtracab with automatic transmission. MSRP for the PreRunner will start at $13,890 for a Regular Cab with a four-cylinder engine, while the Xtracab with a V6 engine will be priced at $18,340.

MSRPs for the Tacoma 4x4 range from $16,310 for a Regular Cab with a four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, to $20,420 for an Xtracab V6 with automatic transmission.

Tacoma Double Cab will carry an MSRP of $18,110 for a PreRunner model, while the 4x4 Double Cab with a V6 engine will receive an MSRP of $22,120.

Overall, Tacoma prices increase by $102, or 0.6 percent for 2002.

Celica
The Celica sports coupe features minor styling changes for 2002. A mesh screen has been added over the front grille opening, while the Celica Action Package continues to be offered in 2002.

The MSRP for Celica will be $17,085 for the GT with five-speed manual transmission, while the GT-S with an automatic transmission will carry an MSRP of $22,255. Compared to 2001, Celica prices will increase by a moderate $100 or 0.5 percent.

A new 1ST Commercial Décor Package is now being offered to Fleet Customers on the 2002 Chevrolet Yukon and Yukon XL models.

GM will begin accepting orders for the 1ST package in late September for production in late October. Initially, only the 1500 series will be available. Production of 2500 series models is not expected to begin until late in the 4^th quarter of this year or early 1^st quarter of 2002.

The 1ST Package includes the following equipment:

•       Air conditioning, front
•       Cargo doors
•       40/20/40 split-bench seat
•       Luggage rack, black, adjustable
•       Solar-Ray tinted glass, all windows (may be upgraded to AJ1 deep tinted glass)
•       Smooth Ride suspension

Half Moon Bay, CA, August 21, 2001 – Lincoln confirmed that the next all-new product in the transformation of the brand will be the 2003 Lincoln Aviator.

The 2003 Lincoln Aviator, which will go into production in the summer of 2002, will be a sport utility vehicle built on a 113.7-inch wheelbase, and it will have an advanced dual overhead cam, four-valve V-8 engine, a sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and available all-wheel drive. It also will be an ultra-low emissions (ULEV) vehicle.

Additional information on the 2003 Lincoln Aviator, including photography, features and options, technical specifications and pricing will be released closer to the introduction of the vehicle. The vehicle will be built in Hazelwood, Mo., which is outside St. Louis.

The Mercury brand also will see a number of new products:   

• The Mercury Mountaineer sport utility is redesigned for the 2002 model year. The Mountaineer offers flexible seating for up to seven passengers as standard equipment, and is available with a 4.6-liter V-8 engine and all-wheel drive.
• The 2003 Mercury Marauder, a four-door, five-passenger performance sedan powered by a V-8 engine expected to produce more than 300 horsepower, will be available in the summer of 2002.
• A new Mercury minivan is under development.

On August 27, 2001 Chrysler announced that it would add four new 'e' models to its lineup of minivans: Chrysler Voyager eC, Dodge Caravan eC, Chrysler Town & Country eL and Dodge Grand Caravan eL.

The new models, which begin production in late-September, will start at $16,995 MSRP (including $640 for destination) for the Voyager eC and Caravan eC. Both models are four-cylinder, five-passenger minivans. A short list of optional equipment includes a seven-passenger seating package, rear window defogger, adjustable pedals, power locks and side air bags.

In addition to its new eC models, Chrysler and Dodge will offer eL models that will be positioned as high-value, entry-level long-wheelbase minivans. Chrysler Town & Country eL and Dodge Grand Caravan eL are targeted directly at the Honda Odyssey LX and will offer the following standard features: 3.3-liter V6 engine, quad seats, minivan-first split 50/50 Easy Out® roller seats, and first and second row storage trays. Optional equipment includes a roof rack, right power sliding door, side air bags and adjustable pedals. The MSRP for the 2002 Chrysler Town & Country eL is $24,330 and the MSRP for the 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan eL is $24,175 (both include $655 for destination charges).

The minivan market remains vibrant. For the 2000 calendar year, the entire minivan segment climbed to an all-time high of 1.6 million sales in North America. Since 1983, the Chrysler Group has sold more than 9 million minivans worldwide, introduced 50 minivan-first features, and earned more than 150 automotive industry awards.

General Motors and partners Basell, Southern Clay Products and Blackhawk Automotive Plastics recently announced that an advanced thermoplastic olefin (TPO) nanocomposite part is being used on 2002 GM mid-size vans, in the first automotive exterior application of this lightweight and affordable material.

Nanocomposites are stiffer, less brittle in cold temperatures and up to 20 percent lighter than current plastic materials used. They will also be more recyclable because there are fewer additives in the plastic mix.

The first application of the new material will be on 2002 model year GMC Safari and Chevrolet Astro minivans. GM plans to equip about 8,000 units with the new plastic, using it on the step-assists.

The automaker said it wanted to begin using it on a lower volume vehicle initially to monitor its performance.

2002 GMC Safari with a new nanocomposite plastic step-assist

On August 19, 2001 the Chrysler Group announced its intention to build a production version of the Chrysler Crossfire concept car. Voted one of show-goers' favorite concept cars on this year's auto show circuit, the Chrysler Crossfire was unveiled at the 2001 North American International Auto Show, in Detroit last January.

"You could just see the pure emotion in show-goers' reaction to the Chrysler Crossfire," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chief Operating Officer of the Chrysler Group. "Their eyes lit up with enthusiasm. They didn't 'ask' if we were going to build it; they practically 'demanded' that we build it. We believe this will be another home run for us, and we will make sure the production version of the Chrysler Crossfire captures the emotion and character of the concept car."

The company says it will announce more news about the Chrysler Crossfire at the 2002 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show next January.

J.D. Power and Associates recently announced that Michelin has received the 2001 Best Original Equipment Tire in Highest Customer Satisfaction for Passenger Vehicles among buyers in the U.S.  The latest honor brings the total number of awards to 29 that the brand has accumulated since 1989, which is more than all other tire manufacturers combined.

Just weeks ago, the Michelin brand swept the replacement tire customer satisfaction awards, receiving both Passenger Car and Light Truck honors from J.D. Power and Associates. Michelin has received more than 75 percent of the 38 awards in the history of the tire category and is the only tire brand to receive a J.D. Power and Associates Award every year since the overall tire studies began 12 years ago.

CARS

Year

Make

Cyl

Model

Dr

Location

Invoice

Ref #

01

Linc

8

Continental

4

Oakland, CA

$39,133

21001

01

Pont

6

Grand Prix SE

4

Conover, NC

$18,856

21048

01

Pont

6

Grand Prix SE

4

Liburn, GA

$18,998

20023

TRUCKS

Year

Make

Cyl

Model

Location

Invoice

Ref #

01

Chevy

6

Astro Passenger

Auburn, WA

$21,086

51343

01

Chevy

6

Express 2500 Cargo Van

Crown Steel

$18,007

168317

01

Chevy

8

Silverado 2500 w/Service body

Bakersfield, CA

$25,275

06811

01

Chevy

8

Silverado 3500 4x4

Mt. Laurel, NJ

$25,666

07093

02

Ford

6

Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x2

Cudahy, WI

$28,752

10134

01

Ford

6

Ranger 4x2 w/Tailgate

Mt. Laurel, NJ

$15,534

Multiple

01

Ford

8

F150 Reg Cab 4x2

Louisville, KY

$20,876

01114

01

Ford

8

F250 Reg Cab 4x4

Ashville, NC

$26,736

010622

00

Ford

8

F450 Chassis Cab 4x2

Louisville, KY

$27,873

Multiple

01

Ford

10

F450 w/12 Platform

Schenectady, NY

$27,489

01154

00

Ford

8

F550 Chassis Cab 4x2

Louisville, KY

$29,169

Multiple

00

Ford

6

E250 Cargo Van w/bin pkg.

Mt. Laurel, NJ

$20,064

00399

01

Ford

6

E250 Cargo Van w/bin pkg.

Oakwood, OH

$22,000

Multiple

01

Ford

8

E250 Super Cargo Van

Plantation, FL

$21,105

03326

01

Ford

8

E350 XL Super Duty Wagon

Mt. Laurel, NJ

$24,262

31041

Call your ARI representative for details!