PURCHASING NEWS

Pool Vehicles

2002 Model Year
Final Order Dates

2003 Model Year
Fleet Programs

Issue 215– August 5, 2002

EnviroFleet; ARI's Environmental Fleet Technology Newsletter

GM's OnStar for 2003

For additional information go to
http://www.OnStar.com

DaimlerChrysler Outlines Key Content Changes for 2003MY

Due to some questions posed by both fleet management companies and end-users, Chrysler Group has outlined key product actions for the 2003MY lineup to help clarify content changes that may affect vehicle selectors. Following is a brief explanation for three of Chrysler’s most popular fleet vehicles.

Minivan

Significant product content has been added to the Grand Caravan Sport (RSKH53). Clients who ordered the Grand Caravan Sport in 2002 may want to consider the Grand Caravan SE with the desired free-flow equipment added.

Content that has been added to the Grand Caravan Sport includes:

Remote keyless/illuminated entry
Dual Zone AC/heat temp control
Rear AC/heat
Overhead console w/compass and trip computer
Middle position rear bucket seats (Captain’s Chairs)
Sunscreen glass
Windshield wiper de-icer
Garage door opener
Headlamp-off time delay

Sebring Sedan

The Sebring LX Plus has been discontinued for 2003; however, pricing actions have reduced the price of the 2003 Sebring LX with a 24W(JRCH41) to $337 below the 2002 LX with a 28H package. Clients may want to consider ordering the 2003 LX with a 24W package, which includes cruise control, AM/FM/CD, remote keyless/illuminated entry, headlamp-off delay and 16" aluminum wheels and tires.

Liberty

The Liberty Sport 4x4 (KJJH74) has some added content for 2003, such as an upgraded braking system, but the model is being offered at a reduced price. The 2002 Liberty came with front disc/rear drum brakes, while the 2003 model has 4-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment. A fleet-equipped Liberty Sport costs nearly $600 less in 2003 than in 2002.

Pricing for All-New Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan Starts at $25,900

2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan

Saab’s newest product, the all-new 2003 9-3 Sport Sedan will begin at $25,900 MSRP for the Linear model, Saab recently announced.

The Linear, which features a powerful 2.0 liter turbocharged engine with 175 hp, includes standard equipment such as leather seating surfaces; Electronic Stability Program and Traction Control System; adaptive dual front air bags and front and rear side curtain airbags; OnStar with hands-free phone capability; 150 watt audio system with 7 speakers and CD; and no-charge maintenance for 36 months/36,000 miles.

2003MY Saab 9-3 Price List

9-3 Models	Model Code	MSRP
SE Convertible	352	$39,995
Linear Sport Sedan	304	$25,900
Arc Sport Sedan	344	$29,995
Vector Sport Sedan	354	$32,495

All-New 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Pricing Announced

Chrysler Group has announced pricing for the all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickup. The base model features a MSRP of $22,540 (plus $740 destination).

2003 Dodge Ram 2500 4x2 Quad Cab SLT

The 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty offers a 345 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI Magnum as standard equipment, a full 100 horsepower increase over the previous standard V-8. Ram Heavy Duty also features standard air conditioning, the largest standard wheels and tires in the segment and standard four-wheel disc ABS. An optional 305 horsepower High Output Cummins Turbo Diesel, which delivers 555 lb.-ft. and a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 23,000 lbs, is available.

The Dodge Ram Heavy Duty is covered by the recently announced seven year/70,000-mile limited powertrain warranty (see Purchasing News issue #214 dated July 22, 2002 for details). The warranty, which is fully transferable to subsequent owners at no extra cost, is provided free of charge. Components covered by the warranty include engines, transmissions/transaxles, transfer cases and axles.

The base price on the 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty Regular Cab ST 2500 4x2 is $23,280 ($740 destination charge included). A typically equipped Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 2500 Regular Cab ST 4x2 model is $24,365, only a $175 increase versus the 2002 model it replaces. The 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty 3500 Regular Cab ST 4x2 has a base price of $25,165. Equipped with the most popular options, the price is $26,259, up just $175 versus the 2002 Heavy Duty 3500.

The 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty features a host of new standard equipment and also offers an additional three inches of cab space on the Regular Cab models. In addition, Ram Quad Cab™ models feature substantially increased interior room and the added versatility of four doors.

The all-new 2003 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty trucks are produced at the Company's Saltillo, Mexico and St. Louis North Assembly Plants.

Study Shows 8.4% Improvement in Fleet Vehicle Lead Times

Automotive Fleet Magazine recently completed their fourth annual study on fleet vehicle order-to-delivery times. The results showed an 8.4 percent industry-wide improvement for the 2002 model year.

Results of the study were based on information supplied by 5 fleet leasing companies, including ARI, who tracked 169,086 new vehicle deliveries for 74 models of the same model year. Order-to-delivery times for non-upfitted cars or trucks are calculated from the day the vehicle order is placed with the manufacturer, to the time the unit hits the delivering dealers’ lot. Trucks requiring upfitting are calculated from the day the order is placed, to the time it is shipped to an upfitter.

Showing the most significant improvement was the truck segment with a 9.6 percent decrease in OTD times. The study found the Pontiac Grand Am to have the fastest delivery time, averaging about 23 days.

Automotive Fleet says that the overall improvements can be attributed to various manufacturer initiatives that were designed to improve vehicle lead times. For example, GM now gives commercial vehicles priority build status. Ford’s alliance with UPS Autogistics helped to decrease lead times and the two companies are currently devising a program that will give fleet managers the ability to track order status while the unit is at an upfitter. DaimlerChrysler will soon roll out their FAST (Forecasting, Allocation and Scheduling Tool) program that will generate weekly schedules that allow more fleet scheduling control.

GM to Offer OnStar with Advanced Crash Notification

In an effort to help 911 centers dispatch the appropriate life-saving staff and equipment to crash scenes faster, General Motors will begin adding an advanced automatic crash notification (AACN) system to vehicles equipped with OnStar starting in the 2004 model year.

Currently OnStar is automatically notified within seconds when a subscriber’s air bag deploys. The next-generation GM automatic crash notification system linked with OnStar will assist even more customers by taking this potentially life-saving service beyond air bag deployments. Using strategically located sensors, the GM AACN system will automatically call for help if the vehicle is involved in a moderate to severe frontal, rear or side-impact crash, regardless of air bag deployment. Also, the new system provides crash severity information to OnStar call center advisors, who relay it to 911 dispatchers, helping them to quickly determine the appropriate combination of emergency personnel, equipment and medical facilities needed.

The AACN system works by using new and existing sensors in conjunction with advanced intelligence to transmit key crash data including the direction of impact and the impact force. Impact force is one of the most important pieces of data used to determine the severity of a crash.

When the AACN system is triggered by a crash of sufficient severity, an emergency voice/data connection will be established with an OnStar call center. The advisor will use the voice channel in the vehicle to communicate with the crash victims and, at the same time, conference-in the nearest public service answering point (911 dispatcher) and provide specific data about the severity of the crash. The 911 dispatcher can then inform emergency responders of the data. In the future, AACN data may be transmitted electronically to the 911 centers, emergency responders, emergency departments and trauma centers using secured internet connections.

Eventually, the system may be capable of determining how many occupants are in the vehicle, whether they are using safety belts and other information that helps emergency responders further anticipate the types and severity of injuries that may have occurred in a crash.

The GM AACN system will be available beginning in 2003 on about 400,000 OnStar-equipped 2004 model year vehicles, including the Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Envoy XUV, Oldsmobile Bravada and the Buick Rainier. AACN will be added to additional GM model lines equipped with OnStar in subsequent model years.

Toyota Camry Solara Prices Remain Unchanged for 2003 Model Year

Toyota has released manufacturer's suggested retail prices for the 2003 Camry Solara sport coupe and Camry Solara convertible, which are now beginning to arrive in dealer showrooms.

Solara is offered in SE and SLE trim levels in either a hardtop or a power-folding soft-top convertible.

For 2003, all Solara models retain last year’s base prices. The base MSRP for the Solara Sport Coupe ranges from $19,365 for the SE four-cylinder with a five-speed manual transmission to $24,675 for the SLE V6 model. Base MSRP for the Solara convertible ranges from $25,495 for the SE four-cylinder to $30,525 for the SLE V6.

DaimlerChrysler Announces Introduction of Dodge Branded Sprinter

The U.S. distributor if Sprinter Vans, DaimlerChrysler Vans LLC, has announced the introduction of a new Sprinter that will carry the Dodge brand nameplate. As a result, customer benefits will be expanded with an increase in service locations and easier access to the full line of Dodge commercial vehicles.

"Teaming Sprinter with Dodge creates a brand new force in the marketplace," said James C Schroer, Executive Vice President of DaimlerChrysler Global Sales and Marketing. "Adding Sprinter vans to the Dodge line-up is an important part of our strategy to add incremental sales across all of our brands in the next few years."

In Europe, Sprinter is one of the most successful products offered by DaimlerChrysler Commercial Vehicles Division. The automaker credits Sprinters’ success to its quality, unique body lay-out, innovative powertrain technology and its comprehensive and customized maintenance package.

Chevrolet Adding V8 Engine Option to TrailBlazer EXT

2003 Chevy TrailBlazer EXT LT

Chevrolet is improving its TrailBlazer midsize sport utility vehicle lineup with an optional V8 engine for TrailBlazer EXT in 2003. The company announced that it will offer the all-aluminum, Vortec 5300 V8 engine on the TrailBlazer EXT in the fall of this year. The engine generates 290 horsepower and 330 ft.-lb. of torque, providing extra towing and hauling capability.

TrailBlazer and TrailBlazer EXT will continue to offer the Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder engine as standard equipment. It is rated at 275 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque for 2003.

Production of the TrailBlazer EXT began in February. The seven-passenger EXT features a third row seat that can easily accommodate two passengers, with more than 22 cubic feet of space behind the seat for cargo or luggage. The model also has a 65/35 split second seat that folds and flips forward on both sides, plus full-width rear side doors for easy access. The third row seats have been optimized for comfort, and all seven seats have three-point, lap-shoulder seat belts. The TrailBlazer EXT also has 100.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third row seats folded flat.

TrailBlazer EXT also provides a cargo shelf with three positions behind the third seat. The shelf is easily accessible when the rear hatch is opened. Grocery bags can be hung from the shelf's hooks when the shelf is set in a vertical position. The first horizontal position is for a flat load floor, and the second horizontal position can be used to conceal items beneath the shelf.

TrailBlazer EXT also has two option packages. The LT Leather Package includes premium leather interior, eight-way power driver and passenger seats, driver information center, automatic climate control, rear seat radio and heating/ventilation/air conditioning controls and leather steering wheel with controls. The LT Leather Plus Package includes the LT Leather Package, plus memory driver's seat, memory outside rear-view mirror, turn signals on the outside rear view mirrors, RainSense wipers and body-color door handles.

Individual options for TrailBlazer EXT models include a DVD player for rear-seat passengers, AM/FM radio with six-CD changer, sunroof, running boards, shield package (4x4 model only), Bose premium sound system, heated front seats, traction assist (2WD only) and locking differential.

Tire Pressure Monitor Ruling Faces More Criticism

In response to NHTSA’s tire pressure monitor ruling announced in June (see Purchasing News issue # 211 dated June 10, 2002), the tire industry is voicing concern over the safety of future vehicles equipped with the new monitors.

According to the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), the standard would allow tire pressure to drop up to 30 percent below the recommended level before alerting the driver. RMA says a 30 percent drop in tire pressure may be unsafe. The group is filing a petition with NHTSA asking the agency to require automakers to set the recommended inflation pressure high enough to support the vehicle load, even with a 30 percent drop in pressure.

"Our goal with this petition is to improve the government's tire pressure monitoring system rule so that it promotes safety," said Donald B. Shea, RMA president and CEO. "A tire pressure monitoring system can be an effective safety tool for motorists only if it provides a timely warning to consumers."

RMA presented data to NHTSA on 100 vehicles and showed that if the tire inflation level dropped 30 percent, 76 of the vehicles would be running on dangerously underinflated tires, especially if the vehicle is loaded to capacity. Underinflation causes excessive heat buildup in tires that, over time, can result in hidden damage that can cause tire failure. The group did not disclose which models were specified in the data, but did note that trucks, minivans and full-size cars posed a greater risk than smaller cars.

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Purchasing News Home

Pool Vehicle Inventory

CARS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Dr	Location	Invoice	Ref #
02	Chevrolet	6	Impala Sedan	4	Seaford, NY	$19,040	02115
02	Ford	8	Crown Victoria HD Sedan	4	Springfield, NJ	$22,274	55309
02	Ford	8	Crown Victoria HD Sedan	4	Birmingham, AL	$22,002	21274
02	Ford	8	Crown Victoria HD Sedan	4	Birmingham, AL	$22,002	21275
02	Mercury	6	Sable GS Plus Wagon	4	Dallas, TX	$19,713	100506

TRUCKS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Location	Invoice	Ref #
02	Ford	8	Explorer 4 Dr XLT 4x4	Batesville, MS	$29,417	20014
02	Ford	8	F350 Crew Chassis 4x4	Broadway, VA	$27,684	Multiple
02	Ford	8	F-150 SuperCab 4x2	Salinas, CA	$20,816	03144
When a "stock purchase" is desired, you may consider using a vehicle from the ARI "pool" to save money and time. Call your ARI representative for details!

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