DaimlerChrysler is now offering new optional equipment on the 2003 Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler Concorde. The offer went into effect on November 1, 2002.

The new Intrepid options include an AM/FM/CD (option code RBK) and a Remote Keyless/Illuminated Entry Group (option code AJF). Both are now available on the SE with a 22C Package. The radio has an MSRP of $125 and the Remote Keyless Entry Group is $225 MSRP.

The 2003 Concorde LX also offers the (RBK) radio with the 22C Package for $125 MSRP.

2003 Mazda6

Mazda recently announced that pricing for the all-new 2003 Mazda6 will start at $18,530 MSRP for the 2.3L I4 "i" model, and $21,100 MSRP for the 3.0L V-6 "s" model.

In addition, Mazda announced on November 1, 2002 that the new model will come with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. This offer is retroactive to any units purchased prior to November 1, 2002.

The 2003 Mazda6 is a 5-passenger sports sedan that is available in two trim levels: the 6i and 6s. The Mazda6i comes with a standard 2.3L I4 engine that delivers 160 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque. The Mazda6s has a 3.0L V-6 that delivers 220 horsepower with 192 lb-ft of torque.

There are four available equipment packages available on the Mazda6i and 3 packages offered on the 6s. Standard safety features include "Triple H" body construction, advanced dual front air bags and whiplash-reducing front seats. Side-impact air bags are optional.

Other standard features include:

16-inch wheels and P205/60R16 all season tires
Power windows, door locks and mirrors
Remote keyless/illuminated entry
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt & telescope functions
Cruise control and steering wheel mounted audio controls
AM/FM/CD with 6-speakers (includes RDS radio)
8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support (standard on 6s; optional on 6i)
Remote automatic 60/40 split fold-down rear seats

Mazda is currently accepting orders for January/February production - March/April delivery. Eligible Fleet accounts will receive a $300 National Fleet Incentive.

FORD ANNOUNCES TWO RECALLS OF 2000-2001 FOCUS CARS

On November 4, 2002 Ford Motor Company announced two voluntary safety recalls that affect approximately 572,795 Focus vehicles from the 2000-2001 model years.

One recall involves a bolt in the front suspension assembly that may be loose and cause noise, vibration or, in a small number of cases, separation of the ball joint. The other recall involves Focus vehicles with Zetec engines in which potential problems with battery cable routing could result in smoke, wire melting or an underhood fire.

Ford will notify customers through the mail to bring their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer for no-cost repairs. For the front suspension issue, technicians will inspect the lower control arm hardware and tighten, or replace, the affected bolt as necessary. The battery cable repair involves inspecting and re-routing of cables and replacement of the cables, if necessary.

In addition, Ford announced it is extending a service program on 2000-2001 Focus vehicles in North America regarding a rear wheel bearing seal concern. This is an extension of an earlier program that covered 21 U.S. states and six Canadian provinces where corrosion can be an issue. Under the extension, North American customers outside of those original areas will be asked to bring their vehicle in to have the seal replaced to prevent corrosion.

Ford has worked to improve the reliability and quality of the Focus. Overall "Things Gone Wrong" as reported by our Focus customers are down more than 35 percent. The number of customer-initiated warranty repairs is down more than 40 percent since the Focus' U.S. launch in the fall of 1999. Specific areas of customer concerns have improved by between 40 and 65 percent.

In addition to the quality improvements, Ford has added a 5-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty coverage for 2003 models. The Powertrain Extended Service Plan includes full roadside assistance coverage and complements the 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and five-year anti-corrosion warranty currently offered on Ford products.

Chevrolet Increases Impala Production

GM has expanded Impala production by adding a third shift at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Ontario. The third shift will give Chevrolet approximately 50,000 units of additional production.

"We have maxed out production during the last 19 months, selling every vehicle we could make," said Jim Campbell, marketing director for the Impala. "That tells us the Impala is connecting with what customers want and need in a mid-sized sedan."

Impala, which was designed for law enforcement from its inception, has a 5-star/5-star NHTSA safety rating – the highest U.S. government rating in front crash testing.

Saab and Volvo Safety Features Reduce Head and Neck Injuries

New research conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has determined that the Saab Active Head Restraint (SAHR) System and the Volvo Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) significantly reduce head and neck injuries in certain rear-end collisions.

Real-life crash statistics show that neck injuries are one of the most common results of rear-end collisions, even at relatively low speeds. The triggering factor in these whiplash injuries is the violent movement of the head in relation to the body during an impact from behind, often leaving victims with long-term pain.

The study, conducted by IIHS using data from rear-impact injury insurance claims submitted from three major insurance companies, discovered that "the key to reducing injury risk in rear-end crashes is to keep the head and torso moving together." The study compared vehicles of different model years that had redesigned seats and head restraints but had not been significantly changed in any other way.

• Saab's Active Head Restraint (SAHR) System
The study determined that Saab's Active Head Restraint System reduces neck injuries among car occupants by 43 percent.

"The IIHS study reaffirms our own research that the SAHR system is effective in reducing whiplash in rear-end collisions," said Stefan Olsen, development engineer in Saab's Collision and Safety Department. "It's more evidence that our real-life safety philosophy is sound. Good laboratory tests are helpful, but what is most important is that our safety systems perform well in real-life crashes."

The SAHR system is entirely mechanical and is based on the lever principle. An upper padded support is connected to a pressure plate in the backrest of the seat. In some rear collisions, the occupant's body will be forced by the crash pulse into the backrest, which moves the pressure plate towards the rear. Subsequently, the head restraint is moved up and forward to "catch" the occupant's head before the whiplash movement can start. The precise activation of the system is determined by the force with which the occupant's back is forced against the backrest, the magnitude of the collision forces and the occupant's weight.

A benefit of the mechanical SAHR system is that in most crashes it needs no repairs to restore it to operational condition after it has been activated. After the head restraint has constrained the movement of the head, it reverts to its initial position and is immediately ready to operate again. As whiplash injuries usually occur in low-speed collisions in which the vehicle may sustain only limited damage, the active head restraint does not increase the cost of repairs needed after a collision.

Saab's new 2003 9-3 Sport Sedan features a "second generation" SAHR for even faster activation in rear impacts at lower speeds.

Saab's Active Head Restraint (SAHR) System

• Volvo's Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS)
IIHS stated that Volvo's Whiplash Protection System design reduced head and neck injuries by limiting forward acceleration of the torso in relation to the head in a rear-end collision. Comparing Volvo S70 sedans without the Whiplash Protection System to those equipped with WHIPS resulted in a 49 percent reduction in neck injury claim rates, the study found.

The WHIPS seat provides improved spinal support by virtue of its modified backrest characteristics and close proximity of the head restraint's position to the occupant's head. WHIPS utilizes a specially designed hinge mount that attaches the back rest to the seat bottom, which has a pre-determined rate of rearward movement in the event of certain types of rear impacts. The seatback also has a series of springs that allows the cushion to move slightly rearward upon impact, thereby cradling the body within the seat. This, combined with high-mounted head restraints, helps to limit the "whipping" motion of the head that often occurs during a rear-end impact. Internal testing by Volvo found that the occupant's neck acceleration was reduced by approximately 50 percent and forward rebound is reduced by the function of the recliner mechanism.

Volvo introduced WHIPS on the S80 luxury sedan in 1999 and now offers the safety system as standard equipment on all of its vehicles.

In the IIHS study, the reduction in neck injuries was greater for women than men.

FORD LOOKS TO THE FUTURE IN PROJECT GO MOBILITY EXPEDITION

2003 Project Go Mobility Eddie Bauer Expedition

At this year's Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Ford will display a customized Eddie Bauer Expedition that demonstrates that mobility enhancements have arrived for people with disabilities. Ford's Mobility Motoring Program and Intelligent Transportation Systems Team worked with Ride-Rite^® Division, a part of BFS Diversified, and Bruno^® Independent Living Aids, Inc. to create the state-of the-art Project Go Mobility Expedition.

The Project Go Mobility Expedition provides a glimpse of future technologies that could help all drivers to increase security on the road. The all-new 2004 Mercury Monterey minivan, for example, will feature elements of next-generation technologies, including front and rear object sensing.

The Project Go Expedition exterior features include:

A next-generation positional backup camera aid that provides enhanced visibility while in reverse.
Ride-Rite^® IntelliRide air springs with three levels to optimize vehicle height for different conditions.
Rostra Front Obstacle Sensing System (ROSS) employs a microwave-based technology with both audio and visual indicators when the vehicle is approaching an object.
SmarTTire™ Wireless Pressure Monitoring System gives the driver tire pressure and temperature information for each wheel and tire assembly.
Automotive Safety Auto Parts, LLC, Safety Hot Blades wiper blades are thermostatically controlled and automatically heat when the thermometer slides below 35 degrees F.
An integrated power rear liftgate can be voice, key fob or manually activated.

Interior Features

Bluetooth™ technology allows drivers hands-free access to their Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), cell phone and other devices.
Personal Information Management (PIM) service connects to the consumer's PDA and makes the information it contains available to other systems in the vehicle.
A hands-free voice system provides control of the entertainment system, heating and cooling and next-generation telematics.
Redesigned center console allows the driver easy transfer from the passenger seat to the driver's seat.
Wheelchair docking center located between the rear seats provides safe storage of a wheelchair. A Polytech net secures the wheelchair in place during transport.

Mobility Equipment

Industry-first Bruno Turning Automotive Seating™ (TMS) with a hand controlled pivoting and articulating passenger seat base that matches the interior. The TMS can be installed in other Ford, Lincoln and Mercury full size SUVs, pickups and full-size vans.
Bruno Curb-Sider^® Super XL rear tailgate lift that allows customers to raise, lower and rotate a fully assembled mobility device from the curb side or from directly behind the SUV.
Wells-Engberg CT-100 Rotary Hand Operated Driving Controls that provide more convenient driving opportunities for the disabled driver.

Since its creation in 1992, the Ford Mobility Motoring Program has assisted more than 85,000 individuals and organizations with more than $72 million in reimbursement funds. Ford Mobility Motoring provides up to $1,000 toward the cost of adaptive equipment or up to $200 on alerting devices, lumbar support or running boards when installed on new Ford, Mercury or Lincoln vehicles.

For more information about Mobility Motoring please visit www.mobilitymotoringprogram.com.

General Motors' new passenger sensing system is designed to help protect children from potential injuries or fatalities in the event they are seated in front of an inflating frontal air bag.

The passenger sensing system, standard in about 1.6 million 2003 GM full-size pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles, is designed to turn off the passenger frontal air bag if it detects a rear-facing child seat, forward-facing child seat, booster seat child restraint or child in the front passenger seating position. It also is designed to turn off the air bag if no occupant is detected.

"The men and women who developed and implemented this system, many of whom are parents themselves, performed more than 3,000 tests and drew on nearly a decade of experience evaluating and developing passenger presence systems to ensure that the system would be reliable," said Bill Kemp, GM executive director of safety strategy.

"However, even in vehicles equipped with the passenger sensing system, we urge all families to transport their children properly restrained in the rear seating position. In addition, we recommend that children 12 and under who outgrow child restraints ride in the back seat, properly restrained."

GM's passenger sensing system detects the level of pressure on the front passenger seat and the tension on the seat belt - two ways that help determine what kind of occupant may be present in the seat. Unlike air bag on/off switches that are manually activated, the new passenger sensing system is automatic, and a light on the rear-view mirror indicates the system status at all times.

In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, the right frontal air bag is designed not to deploy if the system detects pressure at or below what a six-year-old child in a booster seat produces, even when belted with up to 30 pounds of tension. (Child restraints produce more tension on a seat belt.)

The right frontal air bag is designed to deploy in a crash of sufficient severity if a person of adult size is sitting properly in the right front passenger's seat.

However, despite this new technology, GM stresses that the back seat is still the safest place for transporting children.

To learn more about how child restraints work and how to properly use them, please visit www.gmability.com and www.ourpreciouscargo.com.


2003 Nissan Murano	2003 Nissan Murano interior

Nissan North America, Inc. has announced pricing on its 2003 Nissan Murano crossover SUV, which goes on sale this December at Nissan dealerships nationwide. The Murano, equipped with a standard 245-horsepower, 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine, features a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $28,199 for the SL with available 2WD.

The Murano is offered in four models, the SE and the SL, each with a choice of all-wheel drive or 2-wheel drive. The SL AWD starts at an MSRP of $29,799. Several optional packages are offered on the Murano, including a Premium Package and SL Leather Package (available on SL models), SE Popular Package (available on SE models), Cold Package and Dynamic Control Package (available on both SL and SE models). The Murano also offers three additional options: a sunroof, navigation system and chrome wheels.

Murano is a crossover SUV and comes with the first North American standard application of Nissan's Xtronic CVT™(Continuously Variable Transmission). Also standard is a 4-wheel independent suspension, which includes an advanced multi-link rear suspension and cradle-type front subframe.

The Murano's design is made possible, in part, by use of Nissan's new FF-L (front engine, front-drive) platform, a version of which is used for the Altima. The platform pushes the wheels out to the corners, allowing a long wheelbase and wide stance within a manageable overall length.

Murano features a luxury interior designed to provide "first class seating" for two couples, with ample, flexible luggage space. The seats are specially designed to provide roominess and comfort. The split fold-down rear seat includes a reclining feature and a remote flip-down function, so the seats can be released from the rear cargo area.

The 2003 Murano is an all-new model; therefore Nissan is not offering a National Fleet Incentive at this time. In addition, there will be no initial Fleet allocation (this restriction may apply during the entire model year). For customers interested in purchasing a Murano it will be necessary for the ARI Stock Purchasing Specialists to locate one out of dealer inventory.

CARS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Dr	Location	Invoice	Ref #
02	Chrysler	6	Concorde LX Sedan	4	Little Rock, AR	$20,878	02020
03	Ford	6	Taurus SEL Wagon	4	Cape Girardeau, MO	$22,544	55767
03	Ford	8	Crown Vic LX Sedan	4	Pittsburg, CA	$25,896	23004

TRUCKS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Location	Invoice	Ref #
02	Chevrolet	8	3500 HD Chassis Cab	Grand Island, NE	$25,686	Multiple
03	Ford	8	F-250 Chassis Cab 4x2	Norwalk, CA	$19,182	Multiple
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!

Feature News

Pool Vehicles

Issue 222 – November 11, 2002

Chevrolet Increases Impala Production

Saab and Volvo Safety Features Reduce Head and Neck Injuries

GM's New Air Bag Passenger Sensing System Helps Protect Smaller Front-Seat Passengers

Pool Vehicle Inventory

Call your ARI representative for details!