PURCHASING NEWS

Pool Vehicles

2002 Model Year
Final Order Dates

2003 Model Year
Fleet Programs

Issue 220– October 14, 2002

EnviroFleet; ARI's Environmental Fleet Technology Newsletter

GM's OnStar for 2003

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

Ford and GM Announce 2003MY Price Increases

Ford

Effective October 1, 2002, base prices have increased on most Ford, Lincoln and Mercury models. Destination and Delivery charges remain unchanged.

For 2003MY cars, price increases range from $0 to $175 MSRP. Increases for trucks range from $0 to $420.

Automatic price protection will be provided on firm 2003MY Fleet orders received by Ford Motor Company on or before October 1, 2002.

Base, package and equipment prices have increased on most 2003MY GM vehicles, effective October 4, 2002. Destination charges have increased on some models.

*Base price-increase ranges are as follows:*
Cadillac	$0 - $520
Buick	$0 - $230
Pontiac	$1 - $140
Oldsmobile	$20 - $175
Chevy Cars	$2 - $470
Chevy/GMC Trucks	$0 - $360

All fleet orders received by GM on or before October 3, 2002 are price protected.

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Final Orders Due

November 15, 2002 is the Fleet Final Order Due Date for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The plant build-out date is scheduled for February 14, 2003. Please submit final orders at least three business days prior to the due date.

Production for the 2004 Grand Prix begins February 3, 2003. Order banks are scheduled to open on November 7, 2002.

Ford Recalls 2000-2002 Taurus and Sable Cars

On October 8, 2002 Ford Motor Company announced a voluntary recall of approximately 424,164 2000MY-2002MY Taurus and Sable cars equipped with adjustable pedals. Affected vehicles were built between May 3, 1999 and September 14, 2001.

Ford said it has received reports that some of the cars may have less lateral space between the brake pedal and accelerator pedals than others, which could result in pedal misapplication. A Ford investigation determined that manufacturing variability could lead to different spacing between the pedals.

The adjustable function, which allows drivers to simultaneously move the brake and accelerator closer or farther away from them, does not affect lateral spacing. However, Ford urges all customers to familiarize themselves with pedal adjustment and positioning before driving. Other models with adjustable pedals are not affected by this action.

Ford will notify drivers of affected vehicles though the mail to bring their car to a dealer for an inspection and, if necessary, a no-cost adjustment.

GM Equipment and Package Changes

Due to unexpected production issues, a full-size spare tire will become standard equipment on all 2003 4-Door Blazers effective with the October 4, 2002 price increase. The equipment adjustment has resulted in a $95 MSRP increase in the base price of the model.

This change does not affect the 2-Door Blazer.

In addition, Chevrolet has announced a change to the packaging of 2003 Tahoe and Suburban. Effective October 9, 2002, OnStar (UE1) and Steering Wheel Mounted Controls (UK3) will no longer be standard on 1SL Z71 PEG Group but will become standard on the 1SM LT PEG Group for both the Tahoe and the Suburban.

The Personal Security Package (PDQ) will become optional on 1SL and will no longer be available on 1SM. Side Impact Air Bags (AJ7) will now be orderable as a free flow option for 1SM. Options 1SL, AJ7, UE1 and UK3 will only be available with the Personal Security Package.

As a result of the above changes, prices for the 1SL and 1SM packages have been adjusted. The revised prices are as follows:

Model	1SL (MSRP)	1SM (MSRP)
Tahoe	$4,347	$4,630
Suburban	$4,347	$3,930

Chrysler Group to Increase Truck Production

Chrysler Group and the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced a third shift of production at the company's Warren Truck Assembly Plant. The plant produces the new Dodge Ram 1500 series Quad Cab models, and Dodge Dakota Regular, Club and Quad Cab pickups.

The automaker will invest approximately $35 million for the additional production, which will increase the plant's capacity by 21 percent, or 60,000 units annually, to a total of about 338,000 units a year.

"The bottom line is that consumers are demanding more of our new Ram and Dakota models," said Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler Group Chief Operating Officer.

Sales of Ram truck models in September totaled 33,924 units – an increase of 82 percent compared to September 2001. Dodge Dakota recorded 11,133 units sold in September, which is a 16 percent over last September.

While some specifics of the plan are still to be determined, it is anticipated that the additional production at Warren Truck will begin next summer.

GM to Build Next Generation Pontiac Grand Am at Orion Plant

GM announced that its Orion Township, MI assembly plant will build the company's next generation Pontiac Grand Am. The automaker plans to invest about $300 million on plant renovations in preparation for new products.

Orion Assembly currently builds the Pontiac Bonneville, Oldsmobile Aurora and Buick Park Avenue. GM is not forecasting any significant plant downtime as it prepares the facility for new models.

Production of the next generation Grand Am is scheduled to begin in the second half of the 2004 calendar year. Specific product information will be released at a later date.

2003 SATURN ION ENTERS SMALL-CAR SEGMENT

2003 Saturn ION Sedan

Saturn is launching its all-new entry into the small-car segment – the 2003 ION. The front-wheel-drive ION sedan and quad coupe models are replacing the S-Series in Saturn's lineup. The four-door sedan debuts in the fourth quarter of 2002, followed by introduction of the quad coupe in early 2003.

The ION sedan and quad coupe - so named because it features dual rear-access doors (RADs) - will play an important part in GM's entry-level strategy.

The ION incorporates several innovations that are not available on any other car in the segment, including:

Dual RADs on the quad coupe. The rear-access doors - combined with a front-passenger fold-flat seat and the lack of a B-pillar - help a customer fully utilize the interior space by making it easy to load and unload passengers and cargo.
A unique center-mounted cluster that allows the driver to set the steering wheel in the most comfortable position without needing to adjust it in order to see the instruments.
The VTi variable transmission available on the quad coupe brings a fun-to-drive sporty feel, plus improvements in fuel economy when compared with traditional step-gear transmissions.
One of the first North American applications of variable-ratio electric power steering, tuned to each trim level. The system enhances driver "feel" by allowing customized steering assist for different tire/wheel combinations and suspension levels, with improved fuel economy as an added benefit.

ION's structural design provides the foundation for its focus on safety. The steel spaceframe's front and rear crush zones help absorb the energy of a crash while protecting the integrity of the safety cage. Dual-stage driver and passenger air bags are standard, and a head-curtain side air-bag system, which provides protection to both front and rear occupants, is optional. ABS and traction control is optional on all ION models, regardless of trim level. In addition, OnStar is available on both the sedan and quad coupe.

All IONs are equipped with the Ecotec 2.2L inline four-cylinder engine. This aluminum, 16-valve, dual-overhead-cam engine generates 140 hp and provides excellent fuel economy and low emissions.

The ION models are the first products built on GM's new Delta small-car architecture. The new architecture plays a major role in helping the ION exceed expectations for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), providing a structural stiffness comparable to many luxury cars.

2003 Saturn ION Quad Coupe

Mercury To Add All-New Montery Minivan In 2003

2004 Mercury Monterey

An all-new 2004 Mercury Monterey luxury minivan will go on sale in the fall of 2003 marking the beginning of a multi-year strategy to update and expand Mercury's product offerings.

"Mercury has an important role in the revitalization of Ford Motor Company," said Elena Ford, Mercury group marketing manager. "We'll follow the Monterey with at least one new Mercury car or SUV every year for the next several years."

The new Monterey will offer features such as side curtain airbags for all three seating rows, front and rear object-sensing systems, an advanced tire-pressure monitoring system, heated and cooled front seats and dual-zone climate control. The Monterey also offers, as standard equipment, a 4.2-liter V6 engine.

Other features include power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, adjustable anchor-point seatbelts and a tilt steering wheel. Dual power-sliding doors will allow convenient entry and exit from both sides of the vehicle. Thicker side and windshield glass will be used to reduce wind noise, adding to the vehicle's luxury feel.

Monterey will be the only minivan in the segment to offer forward and reverse object-sensing systems, rather than just rear sensing. The system uses sensors in the front and rear bumpers to detect objects in the front of and behind the vehicle.

Safety also will be a key priority for Monterey's customers, and the vehicle will offer extensive advanced features, including the Personal Safety System, a low tire-pressure monitoring system and self-sealing tires.

Cadillac Announces 2003 Escalade ESV Pricing

Cadillac recently announced introductory pricing for its all-new Escalade ESV. The base price is set for $56,160 MSRP.

The 2003 Escalade ESV will be available for ordering in the coming months and will be arriving at dealer showrooms in early 2003.

For more information about the ESV, please visit the "Industry News Center" at www.arifleet.com and look for the Purchasing News issue dated September 30, 2002.

Volvo Cars Unveils Their First Telematics System for 2003 Models

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC and Cross Country Automotive Services have announced the availability of Volvo On Call Plus, Volvo's first comprehensive telematics system in the United States. Available in selected 2003 models, On Call Plus features Automatic Crash Notification, Mayday Services, Alarm Notification, Stolen Vehicle Tracking, Location-Enabled Roadside Assistance, Remote Door Unlock, and Remote Vehicle Diagnostics.

The system utilizes advanced multiplex information management, backup battery and antenna sources to help ensure systems operation in the event of an accident. In addition to recognizing the deployment of airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, the system is also capable of detecting severe rear end collisions and can connect automatically to the call center if any of the systems have been activated. The back-up battery and antenna, located in the dashboard, is as far away from the crash location as possible.

Volvo On Call Plus is free for the first year of service. Once this initial activation process is complete, Volvo's On Call Plus is ready for use. The Volvo On Call Plus specialist is available to take the first call, review available service features, as well as collect additional personal information that maybe helpful should an accident occur.

Volvo On Call Plus is standard on the 2003 S80 T6, available as a factory option on the 2003 S80 2.9 and the entire line of 2003 S60 V70 and V70 Cross Country models for $835. Included in the price is a 12-month subscription. Thereafter, a $19.95 monthly service fee applies.

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Purchasing News Home

Pool Vehicle Inventory

CARS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Dr	Location	Invoice	Ref #
02	Chrysler	6	Concorde LX Sedan	4	Little Rock, AR	$20,878	02020

TRUCKS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Location	Invoice	Ref #
02	Chevrolet	8	3500 HD Chassis Cab	Grand Island, NE	$25,686	Multiple
02	Ford	8	F-150 SuperCab 4x2	Salinas, CA	$20,816	03144
02	Ford	6	F-150 Regular Cab 4x2	Modesto, CA	$16,959	09855
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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