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