DaimlerChrysler Fleet Operations Announces 2003MY Fleet Incentives
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DaimlerChrysler has announced its 2003 Model Year Fleet Purchase Program and Fleet Allowance for Commercial Fleets. In addition, DaimlerChrysler is offering Fast Start incentives for the 2003MY. Fast Start incentives are offered on select models ordered from June 1, 2002 through October 31, 2002 and produced by December 31, 2002. To be eligible for the Fleet Purchase Incentive, Fleet Allowance and Fast Start Incentives a valid Fleet Account Number (FAN) is required. For 2003 DaimlerChrysler does not provide a breakdown of incentive amounts, rather the amounts shown below are the combined total of the Fleet Purchase Incentive and Fleet Allowance (CMA) for each model.
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Ford Publishes 2003 Model Year Commercial Fleet Program
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Ford Motor Company has announced the 2003 Model Commercial
Fleet Program for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda.
An Early Order Incentive in the amount of $500 is available on select models ordered by 12/31/02. A Ford FIN is required to qualify for National Fleet Incentives, Special Fleet Credits and Early Order Incentives.
a/ Total does not include Early Order Incentive
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Last month Toyota announced 2003MY fleet incentives
for select models, which ARI published in the previous issue of the Purchasing
News (#210 dated May 28, 2002).
Toyota has since announced the remaining fleet incentives for the 2003 model year.
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| Saab Cars USA, Inc. has published its 2003 model year National
Fleet Program (VX5).
In addition to the National Fleet Program, Saab is offering a $1,000 Early Order Bonus on select 2003 models. To receive the Early Order Bonus, orders must be received by Saab no later than September 30, 2002. Saab has guaranteed 2.0% price assurance for the 2003 9-5 Sedan, 9-5 SportWagon and 9-3 Convertible only.
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| Ford Motor Company has announced a No-Charge
ABS Fast Start Program (a $600 MSRP value) on 2003MY Taurus LX & SE
sedan orders submitted from May 20, 2002 through October 31, 2002 and produced
by December 31, 2002.
The program is compatible with all other 2003MY Fleet Early Order and National Incentives (see related article in this issue of the Purchasing News). The Fast Start Program does not affect Sable sedan pricing because ABS is already standard. ABS delete credit option (63D) will not be available on Sable sedans during this period, but will be available on Sable Wagon for valid Fleet orders. |
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General Motors recently announced its 2003 model
year emission requirements and ordering information.
The following requirements are applicable to all 2003 GM vehicles: Massachusetts/Maine Emission Requirements: All new 2003 model year GM cars and trucks under 14,000 lbs GVWR sold for registration in Massachusetts and Maine are required to meet California emission requirements. Trucks over 14,000 lbs GVWR are required to meet Federal emission requirements. Option code NE1 "MA/ME EMISSIONS" should be ordered for 2003 model year vehicles that will be registered in Massachusetts or Maine. Border states (Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) are permitted, but not required, to order and sell NE1 "MA/ME EMISSIONS" vehicles. New York/Vermont Emission Requirements: All new 2003 model year GM cars and trucks under 6,000 lbs GVWR sold for registration in New York and Vermont are required to meet California emission requirements. Trucks over 6,000 lbs GVWR are required to meet Federal emission requirements. Option code NG1 "NY/VT EMISSIONS" should be ordered for 2003 model year vehicles that will be registered in New York or Vermont. Border states (Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) are permitted, but not required, to order and sell NG1 "NY/VT EMISSIONS" vehicles in certain situations. Trucks 6,001-14,000 lbs GVWR that are ordered with option code NG1 can not be sold for primary use or registration in Massachusetts, Maine, or California (unless the product is 50-state certified). California Emission Requirements: All new 2003 model year GM vehicles sold for registration in California are required to meet California emission requirements. Option code YF5 "CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS" should be ordered for 2003 model year vehicles that will be registered in California. Border states (Arizona, Nevada and Oregon) are permitted, but not required, to order and sell YF5 "CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS" vehicles. Federal Emission Requirements: All new 2003 model year GM vehicles sold for registration in all states except California and the northeast states of New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont are required to meet Federal emission requirements. Option code FE9 "FEDERAL EMISSIONS" should be ordered for 2003 model year vehicles that will be registered in all states except California, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont. 50-State Emission Certification: Certain models are planned to be certified to meet the emission requirements of all fifty states when ordered with any of the above four emission options (FE9, YF5, NE1 or NG1). These vehicles will be identified as "50-STATE EMISSIONS" on the price label and elsewhere, and meet the emission requirements of all 50 states, regardless of the emission option ordered. Clean Fuel Fleet Requirements: Federal or state law requires certain fleet owners in certain metropolitan areas to purchase vehicles certified to Federal Clean Fuel Fleet requirements. Option code VCL "FEDERAL EMISSIONS " CLEAN FUEL FLEET" should be ordered to get this type of certification. GM will provide a listing of products available with the VCL option in a future correspondence. |
GM Holds Line on Full-Size Van Prices
GM announced that pricing for the all-new 2003 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana Vans will range from $22,550 for the base 2WD ½ ton cargo model to $28,685 for the AWD, ½ ton passenger van. The destination charge for all models is $715. The 2003 ¾ ton cargo models, equipped with a standard Vortec 4300 V6 engine, are priced the same as the current 2002 model even though the new vans are completely redesigned and offer enhanced features. All 2003 GM order banks are open. Production startup dates for the 2003 Express and Savana Vans are 7/15/02 and 7/22/02 respectively. For more information about the 2003 Express and Savana go to the Fleet Library at www.arifleet.com and select Purchasing News issue # 205 dated 3/18/02. |
NHTSA Sets Standard for Tire Pressure Monitors
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In response to the recall of 6.5 million Firestone
Wilderness tires, Congress passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement,
Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act in 2000. The act required
NHTSA to come up with a rule that would require standard tire pressure
monitoring systems (TPMSs) for passenger vehicles. NHTSA recently completed
the first part of a final rule requiring TPMSs that warn the driver when
a tire is under-inflated.
By October 31, 2006, all passenger cars, trucks, multipurpose passenger vehicles and buses with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, except vehicles with dual wheels on an axle, will come with a standard TPMS. NHTSA is allowing automakers to phase in the systems, beginning November 1, 2003. Under the new rule, automakers must choose between one of two methods for monitoring tire pressure: one that directly measures the pressure in each tire or another that uses the vehicle's antilock brake system to sense tire pressure differences by monitoring the speed of tire revolution. According to the Detroit Free Press, the direct method that monitors each tire is considered to be more accurate. But automakers may be leaning toward the indirect ABS method because it is less expensive. The direct system would cost the manufacturer about $79 per vehicle, while the indirect system costs only $13. According to a NHTSA research survey, 27 percent of passenger cars on U.S. roads are driven with one or more substantially under-inflated tires. In addition, the survey found that 33 percent of light trucks (including SUVs, vans and pickup trucks) are driven with one or more substantially under-inflated tires. Operating a vehicle with under-inflated tires can result in tire failure, such as tread separation and blowouts. Under-inflated tires also shorten tire life and increase fuel consumption. |
2002 Saab 9-5 Earns A "Best Pick" Honor from IIHS
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2002 Saab 9-5 one of five best picks in the new or redesigned midsize car category for its performance in a frontal offset crash test. Other best picks included the Toyota Camry, Acura TL, Lexus ES 300 and Lexus IS 300 models. All earned "good" ratings, which is the Institutes' highest rating. The IIHS ratings reflect the performance in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier. Based on the results, the Institute evaluates crashworthiness of passenger vehicles, assigning each vehicle a rating of good, acceptable, marginal or poor. The test focuses on three main elements of performance: the ability of the structural cage to protect the occupant compartment; risk of occupant injury; and how well occupant movement is controlled by the vehicle's restraint systems. The IIHS named several safety features on the Saab 9-5 that contributed to its good performance results including the adaptive side and dual-stage front airbags, seat belts with crash tensioners, and the award-winning Saab Active Head Restraint System, which decreases the risk of whiplash injuries. "We are pleased with the findings of the most recent IIHS test," said Dan Chasins, President of Saab Cars USA, Inc. "In this test, the car performed exactly as designed, maintaining the integrity of the occupant compartment to help reduce the risk of injury." |
Ford Announces New 6.0-Liter Power Stroke Diesel Engine
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Ford
Motor Company announced that it will introduce an all-new 6.0-liter V-8
diesel engine and a heavy-duty 5-speed automatic transmission in early 2003
for its F-Series Super Duty pickup and Ford Excursion sport-utility vehicle.
The new, more powerful, cleaner 6.0-liter Power Stroke® Diesel and new 5-speed TorqShift® automatic transmission will combine to generate 325 horsepower at 3,300 rpm and 550 foot-pounds of torque at 2,000 rpm. The new diesel will offer up to 10 percent better fuel economy and 20 percent lower emissions. The 6.0-liter Power Stroke V-8 engine is a direct injection, 32-valve diesel with an all-new cast-iron block and cylinder heads. The engine employs a single, block-mounted camshaft in a compact over-head valve (OHV) design, with hydraulic-valve lash adjustment. This proven configuration provides a low-friction and durable valvetrain system and is ideal for engines with a normal operating range of less than 4,000 rpm. This design provides maintenance-free longevity, quiet operation and optimized performance over the life of the engine. |
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Ford's
new 6.0L Power Stroke Diesel V8 Engine
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First shown in concept form at the North American International Auto Show in January, as the engine powering Ford's Mighty F-350 Concept Truck, the new 6.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel incorporates a number of diesel engine innovations, including:
The new 6.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel will be built later this year at Navistar's Indianapolis Engine Plant for high-volume F-Series Super Duty trucks and at its new plant in Huntsville, Alabama for other applications. The 5-speed TorqShift automatic will be built at Ford's Sharonville (Ohio) Transmission Plant. |
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All-New 2003 Infiniti M45 Available Later This Year
Infiniti recently introduced an all-new, luxury performance sedan for the 2003 model year called the M45. As the latest addition to the Infiniti lineup, the M45 is positioned between the flagship Q45, with which it shares many major drivetrain components, and the newly introduced Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan. Standard on all models is an aluminum-alloy, double overhead-cam, 4.5-liter V8 engine that produces 340 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, and a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Other performance features include Vehicle Dynamic Control, which improves vehicle stability in understeer, oversteer or adverse road conditions, an integral Traction Control System, Brake Assist with Electronic Brake force Distribution and vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering. The new M45's interior provides comfort for both driver and passenger. The sport contoured front bucket seats are finished with soft Infiniti-exclusive "Sojourner" leather seating surfaces, with an 8-way power adjustable driver's seat and 4-way power passenger seat. In addition, optional climate controlled seats are offered, which significantly enhance individual passenger comfort in virtually all climatic conditions by offering both heating and cooling functions.
The interior also features genuine Bird's Eye Maple wood trim with a smoke graphite color and a performance-oriented instrument cluster. The M45's Vehicle Information System with large multi-function LCD screen is available with an optional DVD-based navigation system and Infiniti Voice Recognition. Every M45 comes equipped with an automatic dual-zone temperature control with ambient temperature display, illuminated entry/exit system, rear console mounted air conditioning vents and rear heater ducts and leather-wrapped sport steering wheel. All models also feature dual stage front supplemental air bags, front seat side-impact supplemental air bags, front and rear curtain side impact supplemental air bags and active had restraints for |
