According to the Detroit Free Press, GM is offering antilock brakes and side-impact air bags as optional equipment on most of its 2003 model year lineup. Previously, antilock brakes were standard on nearly the entire GM line. Side-impact air bags were standard on 31 models.

For 2003, antilock brakes will be optional on vehicles such as the Cavalier, Intrigue, Venture and Envoy. Other models affected by the change include the Sunfire, Aurora and Montana, which will no longer offer standard side-impact air bags.

All Cadillac, Saab and Corvette models, as well as the Bonneville and Le Sabre will continue to offer standard antilock brakes. Side-impact air bags will remain standard on Cadillac and Saab models, trucks and SUVs.

GM sources said that the decision was made in an effort to keep pricing competitive with other vehicle manufacturers. "We want to achieve a better balance between features and content that customers are willing to pay for and the overall value of the vehicle," said Jay Cooney, director of GM's legal communications.

Antilock brakes cost GM approximately $160 per vehicle and side-impact air bags cost about $60 per vehicle. The cost that consumers will pay for these options in 2003 is unknown at this time.

Chrysler Group recently announced the extension of its 7-Year/100,000-Mile Powertrain Limited Warranty. Originally scheduled to expire on March 31, 2002, the warranty has been extended to cover all 2001 and 2002 Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicles purchased through May 31, 2002.

The warranty is offered at no charge to qualified fleet customers only. Vehicles purchased under Federal, State, Local or Utility Bid Programs are not eligible. The offering is compatible with the Fleet Purchase Program.

The warranty will pay the total cost of parts and labor, less a $100 deductible per visit. It covers mechanical failures caused by defects in materials or workmanship of a covered component for 7 years after the factory warranty start date or until the vehicle odometer reaches 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.

For more information about covered components, please visit Purchasing News issue #202 dated February 4, 2002 at www.arifleet.com

 

2003 Lincoln Aviator	2003 Lincoln Aviator 2nd and 3rd row fold-flat seats

The all-new 2003 Lincoln Aviator is one of four new Lincolns debuting in 2002 – and one of 20 new vehicles Ford Motor Company will introduce each year on average in North America through 2005.

The 2003 Lincoln Aviator was designed to complement the Lincoln Navigator, with its commanding presence and stance. The Aviator's interior also takes its design direction from Navigator and has the same blend of Lincoln design cues – satin nickel, American walnut burl wood, premium leather and white light-emitting diode (LED) instrument lighting.

Aviator will be offered in both two- and all-wheel drive configurations and two series: Luxury and Premium. All Aviators include an impressive list of standard comfort and convenience features, including:

• Dual-zone electronic climate control and an auxiliary climate control system for second- and third-row passengers
• Heated, power-adjustable side mirrors with approach lamps and turn signal repeaters
• Standard power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals and the Rear Park Assist system that triggers in-cabin audio warnings if an obstacle is detected when reversing
• Six-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats with power lumbar support and two memory settings for the driver's seat, side mirrors, brake and accelerator pedals

• An all-aluminum, 4.6-liter V-8 engine that produces 302 horsepower and 300 lbs. - ft. of torque, while still qualifying as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV).
• A maximum towing capacity of 7,300 pounds
• Four-wheel independent suspension, 17-inch wheels and tires and speed-sensitive, variable assist rack-and-pinion steering
• Braking is handled by four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock control and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD).

• The Personal Safety System^™, which includes dual-stage front air bags, safety belt pretensioners and load-limiting retractors
• The Safety Canopy™ side curtain air-bag system, which provides enhanced occupant protection in side impacts and rollovers
• The new optional AdvanceTrac system, which provides drivers with an interactive vehicle dynamics aid that can help correct oversteer and understeer skids (late availability). This system also will add a new industry-leading technology that can reduce the likelihood of untripped vehicle rollovers
• Tire pressure monitoring system (late availability)

• Four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty
• Three-year/36,000 mile complimentary maintenance (including wear and tear items)
• Transportation and 24-hour roadside assistance
• Emergency travel expense reimbursement
• Destination assistance and trip planning services
• A customer assistance center dedicated to Lincoln owners

2002 Chevy S-10 ZR5 Pickup

GM has added to its Chevy S-10 Crew Cab lineup a new ZR5 option package, which combines a sporty exterior and fully functional accessories.

The ZR5 package will carry an MSRP of $1,500 and includes a roof rack, wheel flares, black anodized bed rails and side steps, 15" 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels with spectra gray accents, 235/75R15 Goodyear Wrangler tires and ZR5 decals.

In addition to the ZR5 package, the S-10 Crew Cab offers standard dual front air bags, antilock brakes, fog lights, power door locks, power windows, air conditioning and electronic compass.

The new models' unique, modern design is made possible, in part, by the use of Nissan's new FF-L (front engine, front-drive) platform, which it shares with the award-winning 2002 Altima.

The FF-L platform pushes the wheels out to the corners, allowing a long wheelbase and wide stance within a manageable overall length.

The interior has been designed to provide "first class seating" for four, with ample luggage space. The driver's seat offers a wide range of adjustability (including an available 8-way seat adjuster), along with adjustable pedals and a tilt steering wheel/podded gauge cluster function. The split fold-down rear seat includes a reclining feature and a remote flip-down function. Other interior amenities include front dual-zone climate controls and rear air conditioning vents.

The Murano offers highly functional storage systems including a two-tiered lockable center console storage box with room to hold a laptop computer and door pockets with flip-out function. Additional storage areas include a tray under the cargo floor and spaces for cell phones, sunglasses, coins and cups.

The model comes with many standard safety features such as dual-stage front air bags, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags and front and rear seat curtain side impact supplemental air bags. Also standard are seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat anchor and tether system, and front-seat active head restraints.

The 2003 Nissan Murano is available in a choice of either front-wheel drive or an all-new AWD system for enhanced all-weather performance. All models come equipped with a standard 240-plus horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, derived from the award-winning engine used in the 2002 Altima and Maxima sedans.

Other available performance features include Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which improves vehicle stability by controlling brake pressure and engine torque automatically in understeer, oversteer or slippery road surface conditions, and Traction Control System (TCS). The braking system includes 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

The 2003 Nissan Murano is one of a series of new Nissan vehicles developed under the umbrella of the aggressive Nissan Revival Plan. Its fall introduction follows that of the 2003 Nissan 350Z™ sports car and it will be joined later by a new full-size pickup and full-size SUV, both to be built at the new Nissan manufacturing facility, which is now under construction in Canton, Mississippi.

2003 Nissan Murano

2004 Chrysler Pacifica	2004 Chrysler Pacifca fold-flat second and third row seats

On March 27, 2002 Chrysler revealed the production version of its all-new 2004 Pacifica at the New York Auto Show. The new model, which will go on sale in the spring of 2003, represents a new vehicle segment called "sports tourer".

"As promised, the production version of the Chrysler Pacifica remains true to the concept that we revealed earlier this year, a concept that generated tremendous consumer interest," said Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of the Chrysler Group.

The 2004 Pacifica will be produced at Chrysler Group's Windsor Assembly Plant. While the new model will be built at the same plant as Chrysler and Dodge minivans, the vehicle will not be built on a minivan platform. It will be built on its own unique platform, but will use existing corporate components, including the same 3.5L V6 engine that powers the Chrysler 300M.

2004 Chrysler Pacifica Features and Highlights

• Four-speed automatic transaxle with AutoStick®
• Independent front and rear suspension w/load-leveling rear supsension
• Third row 50/50 bench seat
• Second row buckets with fold-flat capability
• Heated first and second row seats
• 10-way power driver seat/4-way power passenger seat
• Power liftgate
• Comprehensive memory system (radio, driver seat, mirrors and pedals)
• Six-disc in-dash CD/DVD w/Infinity® Intermezzero theater-style surround audio
• Navigation system
• Hands-free communication system
• Dual-zone automatic temperature control
• Side curtain airbags in all three rows
• Tire pressure monitoring system

2003 Saturn ION

Saturn recently unveiled its all-new model ION, which is to replace the S-Series in the 2003 model year. The new series of ION cars will debut in the fourth quarter of 2002.

Available in sedan and quad coupe models, the ION is completely new from the ground up. The quad coupe model features "industry first" rear access doors (RADs), resulting in the creation of a new vehicle category and a more functional compact car.

Inside, a unique feature is the incorporation of a center-mounted instrument cluster. This feature helps to keep the drivers' eyes closer to the horizon. It also allows the driver to comfortably position the steering wheel without having to compromise the visibility of instrument gauges.

Built on GM's all-new Delta architecture, the five-passenger sedan and four-passenger quad coupe continue Saturn's traditional spaceframe construction. The new architecture allows the ION models to be substantially bigger than their predecessors " approximately two inches taller and six inches longer. In addition, the ION's track is approximately two inches wider than the S-Series model.

Both the sedan and quad coupe feature significant interior storage including three bins in the instrument panel, CD storage in the console and map pockets in both front and rear doors. In addition, the ION sedan is expected to have the most trunk room in its class, according to a GM press release.

All models are equipped with a standard 2.2L Ecotec, GM's global 4-cylinder engine. Currently offered in the Saturn VUE SUV and L-Series mid-size cars, the Ecotec offers 137-hp. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard but all models offer an optional VTi continuously variable automatic transmission.

OnStar, with its array of safety, security and convenience features, is available as an option on all models. Other safety and security features include standard dual-stage air bags and optional head curtain air bags.

The Ford Five Hundred

At this year's New York International Auto Show, Ford gave the media a preview of a new sedan that will go on sale in 2004, the Ford Five Hundred. Ford describes the Five Hundred as a vehicle that is "set to change the face and the space of the family sedan".

It is one of the 20 new products Ford Motor Company will introduce each year across its brands in North America through 2005.

The Five Hundred was created from the inside out using Ford's "high-package" design strategy. As a result, the car's interior roominess is equal to and even better than many larger cars – while retaining the exterior proportions, maneuverability and fuel-economy benefits of a mid-size car.

"The Five Hundred is the result of asking questions about the family sedan that no one thought to ask," says Chris Theodore, Ford's vice president of North America Product Development. "While everyone has been scrambling to invent the "next big thing," our team asked, "What about the car?" We decided to put some of the features people love about minivans and SUVs into our all-new sedan."

Ford designed the Five Hundred literally around the customer. It comfortably seats five adult passengers, with ample spaciousness in the rear – including nearly three-and-one-half feet of legroom. The vehicle is designed to allow drivers of all shapes and sizes to find comfortable seating positions.

The Five Hundred's "command-of-road" driving position is derived from one of the features minivan and SUV buyers regularly cite as a major selling point. The car's "greenhouse" area has been carefully crafted to provide more headroom and the ability to raise the "H-point", or hip-point, of the front seats. The design also affords a more "upright" position that SUV buyers are attracted to.

The Five Hundred will use a new version of Ford's 3.0-liter Duratec V-6 and also feature a six-speed automatic or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The CVT will provide smooth operation and help to deliver up to a 10 percent fuel economy improvement versus a traditional powertrain.

The new model will feature the latest level of Ford's Personal Safety System™. It will also feature anti-lock brakes, traction control, side-curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac™, an advanced interactive vehicle dynamic stability control system.

Production of the Five Hundred will begin at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant in 2004.

Nissan recently announced plans to offer satellite radio systems in select 2003 model Nissan and Infiniti division vehicles beginning later this year, offering a choice of two satellite radio providers.

Satellite radio offers consumers more than 100 channels of high-quality, digital music and information through the vehicle's existing audio system. Nissan is partnering with XM Satellite Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio to provide the radio services, and Clarion Corporation of America will provide the radio receivers.

The satellite radio systems will be available this fall on 2003 Infiniti and Nissan models including the Infiniti Q45 performance luxury sedan, the Infiniti G35, the Infiniti I35 luxury sedan along with the Nissan Pathfinder sport-utility vehicle and the Nissan Murano crossover SUV.

The Murano was recently introduced during a press preview at the New York International Auto Show (see related article in this issue of the Purchasing News).

"Satellite radio is a new technology designed to benefit drivers and passengers who seek entertainment and information choices beyond the traditional AM and FM capabilities," said Jack Collins, vice president for product planning, Nissan North America.

Satellite radio systems offer subscribers a wide variety of commercial and non-commercial music, news, sports, weather and entertainment channels. Programming is available coast-to-coast and is available for a modest monthly fee.

DAIMLERCHRYSLER
2002 MODEL YEAR FLEET PURCHASE ALLOWANCES

2002 MY NATIONAL COMMERCIAL FLEET PROGRAM
FORD, MERCURY, LINCOLN

c/ A Commercial Fleet Credit (Order Code 56S) of $546 (WSD) is available in addition to the $600 National Fleet Incentive or Crown Victoria P72 commercial fleet units only.

d/ Ford authorized pool accounts cannot order vehicles with a fleet incentive. A Ford dealer must apply for the fleet incentive for eligible commercial applications after the pool account assigns the chassis to the Ford dealer. The dealer must report unit sold to a valid end-user FIN code.

e/ Excludes the F53 motor home strip chassis. The F53 is not eligible for a National Fleet Incentive.

f/ Complete vehicles purchased from certain body manufacturers (F650/F750) may not be eligible for fleet incentives.

g/ E-Series RV cutaway (47M) is not eligible for fleet incentives when sold/leased for a motor home application.

2001 MY National Commercial Program Details

Model

Fleet
Incentive

Marketing Credit

Protégé a/

$1,200

$118

626

$1,300

$163

Millenia

$3,000

$240

Miata

$1,500

$193

B-Series Truck

$1,300

$113

MPV

$1,200

$196

Tribute 2WD

$0

$183

Tribute 4WD

$0

$180

a/ Includes Protégé 5, excludes MP3.

BUICK

VX5

Century

$900

Regal

$900

LeSabre

$1000

Park Avenue

$2000

Rendevous

$300

CADILLAC

VX5

Catera

$2000

DeVille

$2000

Eldorado

$2000

SeVille

$2000

CHEVROLET

VX5

Prizm

$1500

Cavalier

$1500

Malibu

$900

Monte Carlo

$900

Impala

$900

Venture

$1250

Camaro

$1000

OLDSMOBILE

VX5

Alero

$1000

Intrigue

$900

Silhouette

$1250

Aurora

$2000

PONTIAC/GMC

VX5

Sunfire

$1500

Grand Am

$1000

Grand Prix

$900

Bonneville

$1000

Montana

$1250

Aztek

$500

Firebird

$1000

ALTERNATE FUEL

VX5

Chevrolet Cavalier KL6 Alt. Fuel Option

$2000

* All guidelines contained in the 2002MY Fleet Program Rules apply to the 2003 Models until publication of the 2003MY Program.

ANY GENERAL MOTORS MODELS (INCLUDING SATURN PRODUCTS) NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED ABOVE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR INVOICE CREDIT (VX5).

National Preferred Equipment Group (PEG) or option package discounts are available in combination with the invoice credit (VX5).

CADILLAC

Escalade

$300

CHEVROLET

Tracker

$500

S10

$1250

Blazer

$1000

Trailblazer

$1000

Astro

$1000

Express: Cargo

$1250

Express: Cutaway

$1500

Express: Passenger

$1500

Silverado 1500

$900

Silverado 1500 HD

$500

Silverado 2500, 2500HD, 3500

$750

w/Duramax (LB7)

$300

Silverado 3500HD

$2000

Tahoe

$500

Suburban

$500

Avalanche

$300

OLDSMOBILE

Bravada

$1000

PONTIAC/GMC

Sonoma

$1250

Envoy

$1000

Safari

$1000

Savana: Cargo

$1250

Savana: Cutaway

$1500

Savana: Passenger

$1500

Sierra 1500

$900

Sierra 1500HD

$500

Sierra 2500, 2500HD, 3500

$750

w/Duramax (LB7)

$300

Sierra 3500HD

$2000

Yukon

$500

Yukon XL

$500

ALTERNATE FUEL

VX5

Chevrolet Express KL6 Passenger Alt. Fuel Option

$2500

Chevrolet Express KL6 Cargo Alt. Fuel Option

$2500

GMC Savana KL6 Passenger Alt. Fuel Option

$2500

GMC Savana KL6 Cargo Alt. Fuel Option

$2500

* All guidelines contained in the 2002MY Fleet Program Rules apply to the 2003 Models until publication of the 2003MY Program.

ANY GENERAL MOTORS MODELS, NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED ABOVE, ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.

National Preferred Equipment Group (PEG) or Option Package discounts are available in combination with the Invoice Credit (VX5).

Regional PEG discounts and/or some Upfitter packages are not eligible for (VX5).

The dealer/fleet customer will have the option of selecting over CDR the greater of available fleet incentive or the CNC, CNE, CSE, CSR, CWE retail consumer cash alternative incentive in effect AT THE TIME OF DELIVERY on all vehicles, but not both. This applies to both cars and trucks.

Program Eligibility
A qualified Fleet customer/user is defined as any company that purchases and registers or leases five (5) or more new cars and/or trucks solely for use in its operations during the current or preceding model or calendar year or preceding twelve (12) month period, or that owns or leases fifteen (15) or more cars and/or trucks.

A qualified fleet customer/user must have a General Motors Fleet account number (FAN) to be eligible for any General Motors Fleet incentives and must always be the customer who purchases the vehicle from the General Motors dealer and meets the in-service requirement.

Ordering Instructions
Processing option VX5 must be ordered to receive invoice credit.

Units must be in service a minimum of six (6) months (even if the retail consumer cash alternative incentive is elected).

To be eligible Fleet Customers must have a valid Saab or GM Fleet Account Number (FAN). A qualified Fleet Customer is defined as any company that purchases and registers or leases five or more new cars and/or trucks for use in its operations during the current or preceding twelve-month period.

Orders placed under the Early Order Bonus program will receive Price Assurance of 1.5%. Price Assurance does not include any potential increase to destination charges. 2002 MY vehicles qualifying for Price Assurance will be adjusted to reflect changes in standard equipment.

(a)   Retail incentive available if greater than the fleet incentive.

Sentra

500

Altima

0

Pick-up

800

Crew Cab Pick-up

0

Maxima

500

Pathfinder

500

Quest

800

Xterra

0

Legacy "L"

$450

$238

$688

Legacy "GT"

$450

$124

$574

Outback

$450

$124

$574

Impreza (non-WRX)

$250

$250

$500

Imprexa WRX

N/A

N/A

N/A

Forester "L"

$500

$227

$727

Forester "S"

$500

$123

$623

Qualified Buyers: Those accounts registering 3 or more units of any make in a twelve month period, as evidenced by vehicle documentation. When a leasing company is the registered entity, the end-user of the vehicle must meet the test of an eligible account. Subaru of America (SOA), at its discretion, may require physical evidence of 3 vehicle registrations to verify an accounts eligibility or a copy of the lease agreement with the end-user noted. A Fleet Identification Number (FIN) must be assigned to the purchasing account. In the case of leasing companies, the purchasing account and the end-user must be assigned FIN's.

Mirage 2-Door

$ 1,000

Lancer

$500

Eclipse

$ 500

Eclipse Spyder

$ 500

Galant

$ 1,500

Diamante

$ 1,500

Montero Sport 2WD & 4WD

$ 2,000

Montero

$ 2,000

PROGRAM PERIOD: April 15, 2001, through December 31, 2002

ELIGIBLE FLEET ACCOUNT: All eligible fleet accounts must have an approved Fleet Account Number (FAN) with MMSA and be enrolled in MMSA's Fleet Program. If a Fleet Account does not have a FAN, the account should submit an application for FAN to the MMSA Fleet Department.

COMMERCIAL FLEET ACCOUNT DEFINED: The entity purchasing an eligible vehicle is a bona fide fleet account if the entity:

• Has a minimum of five (5) vehicles (cars or trucks) registered in its name and/or appears on R.L. Polk's Fleet Vehicle Registration Listing for the calendar year's 1996 through 2000 and
• Has an approved Fleet Account Number (FAN) with MMSA and
• Is not purchasing the vehicles for immediate resale at retail as new to the ultimate user and will use the vehicles in service for a minimum of six months (180 days) in connection with its business.

ELIGIBLE VEHICLES: Only new and unused 2002 model year Mitsubishi Mirage 2-door coupe, Lancer, Galant, Diamante, Eclipse, Eclipse Spyder, Montero, and Montero Sport two and four wheel drives delivered during the Program Period and in accordance with these Program Rules are eligible for this Program.

INELIGIBLE VEHICLES: All MMSA vehicles that are:

• Reported as a retail type sale to MMSA
• Any vehicle being sold for export.
• Any vehicle being purchased for resale prior to the minimum 6 months (180 days) in-service period.

RETAIL GREATER THAN FLEET: If an Application is received for payment under this Program and the sale has been reported with an approved fleet sales type code, and the retail sales incentive plus $200 is greater than the Fleet Incentive at the time of delivery, MMSA will pay the higher amount.

In the case where the Fleet Incentive is greater than the retail sales incentive plus $200, MMSA will pay the Fleet Incentive amount. Vehicles sold under this Program are not eligible for incentives or other payments offered under any other MMSA program and may not be financed or leased under any MMSA subsidized program.

FINAL DECISION: In all matters relating to the interpretation and application of any rule or phase of this Program, the decision of MMSA shall be final. MMSA also reserves the right to cancel, amend or revoke the Program at any time due to reasonable business considerations or to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.

Toyota's 2002 Model Year Commercial Fleet Incentives are available to commercial fleet customers who maintain 10 or more units in fleet operation. To quaqlify for Fleet Incentives, the account must hold an active Toyota Fleet Identification Code Number.

All orders are subject to fleet production availability.