PURCHASING NEWS

Pool Vehicles

2003 Final Order
Due Dates
AND 2004 MY
Startup Dates

2003 Model Year
Fleet Programs

Issue 309– May 5, 2003

EnviroFleet; ARI's Environmental Fleet Technology Newsletter

GM's OnStar for 2003

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

Upcoming Final Order Due Dates

The following models have final order due dates scheduled in May 2003:

Model	Final Order Due Date
DaimlerChrysler
2004 Intrepid, Concorde, 300M	5/16/03
Ford
LS, Town Car, Crown Vic Police, Crown Vic AFV, T-Bird, F-Series Super Duty, Excursion	5/16/03
Crown Vic, Grand Marquis	5/23/03
GM
Century, Regal, Impala, Monte Carlo, Cavalier, Sunfire	5/6/03
Venture, Trailblazer EXT, Astro, Envoy XL, Safari, Silhouette, Montana	5/6/03
Mazda
Protégé, Protégé 5, Mazda 6	5/15/03
Saab
9-3 Sport Sedan, 9-5 Sedan, 9-5 Sport Wagon	5/16/03
Subaru
Forester	5/15/03
Toyota
Camry, Celica, RAV4, 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, Land Cruiser, Echo	5/14/03

ARI recommends that final orders be submitted at least three business days prior to the due date. Manufacturers may change final order due dates without notice. Please visit the on-line version of the Purchasing News frequently for updates. Just go to www.arifleet.com, select the current issue of the Purchasing News then select "2003 Final Order Dates".

2004 Maxima Now Available

2004 Nissan Maxima

Nissan has announced that the all-new 2004 Maxima is now available for Fleet ordering. Until now, the newly redesigned model was being reserved for retail dealers only and was unavailable for Fleet factory orders. Nissan said orders can be placed now for deliveries starting in June.

The new 2004 Maxima carries a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $26,950 for the 3.5 SE equipped with either a 5-speed automatic transmission or available 6-speed manual transmission. The up-level 3.5 SL has an MSRP of $28,900.

For 2004, Maxima comes with a fully redesigned interior and exterior. Special features include a Skyview™ roof with a glass panel that runs lengthwise over the front and rear seats and a new Elite Package, which features a fixed rear center console.

For the first time, Maxima will be assembled in the United States at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, TN.

Subaru Announces 2004 Fleet Incentives

Subaru of America has announced its Fleet Incentive Program for the 2004 Model Year. The program is effective immediately and can be applied to eligible 2004 models as they become available.

Model	2004 Fleet Incentive	Security System	Total Incentive
Legacy L or 2.5 GT	$600	$124	$724
Outback	$600	$124	$724
Outback H6	$600	Standard	$600
Baja	$1,000	$124	$1,124
Impreza 2.5 RS or TS	$250	$150	$400
Impreza Outback Sport	$250	$150	$400
Impreza WRX	$250	$150	$400
Impreza STi	N/A	N/A	N/A
Forester 2.5 X or 2.5 XS or 2.5 XT	$400	$133	$533

To be eligible for the program, the end-user must have a valid Fleet Identification Number.

2003 Toyota 4Runner Gets New Appearance Package, Price Decreases

The Toyota 4Runner mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) enhances styling and value with a new exterior Appearance Package for SR5 models and a price decrease for all V6 models.

Featuring exterior enhancements previously available only on its upscale Limited model, 4Runner's new Appearance Package is now standard equipment on all SR5 models and includes color-keyed front and rear bumpers, fender flares, front grille, door handles and rear license plate garnish. Also included are black running boards, integrated front fog lamps and six-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels with P265/70R16 tires.

Base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) for all V6 4Runners have been reduced by $150. Effectively immediately, prices for two-wheel drive 4Runners with V6 engines are $27,055 for the SR5 model, $28,850 for the Sport Edition and $33,255 for the Limited model. Prices for V6 four-wheel drive models are $29,330 for the SR5, $31,125 for the Sport Edition and $35,530 for the Limited model.

An additional color, Natural White, is now available on all 4Runner models.

MERCURY TO LAUNCH ALL-NEW MARINER SUV

2005 Mercury Mariner

The 2005 Mercury Mariner sport utility will join a list of new products that Lincoln-Mercury plans to add during the next three years. Mariner debuts in 2004 as the third of four all-new nameplates being added to the Mercury model lineup.

Mercury's four new products include:

The Monterey minivan – coming this fall
The Montego sedan – coming in fall 2004
The Mariner sport utility – coming in fall 2004
A new mid-size sedan – coming in 2005

Based on the Ford Escape, Mariner offers a contemporary design, more standard features, upgraded interior materials and unique content. The model will be the entry-level sport utility in the Lincoln-Mercury showroom.

Mercury said it aims to introduce high levels of craftsmanship in its interiors, where customers spend most of their time interacting with their vehicle. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury have increased investment in their interiors in recent years.

Mariner's interior is highlighted with wood grain, satin aluminum and chrome accents. For a sporty feel, the model offers a floor-mounted shifter, which is accented with a chrome surround and a satin aluminum shift knob.

The Mariner will be available in front- or four-wheel-drive. The all-new electronic four-wheel drive system automatically transfers torque from front to rear as required by road conditions without driver intervention.

Mariner features unibody construction, like the Ford Escape, as well as a low stance and enhanced safety protection. Four-wheel independent suspension contributes to Mariner's car-like ride and handling. Mariner powertrains include a 2.3-liter 16-valve I-4 and a 3.0-liter 24-valve V-6 Duratec engine. Both engines come with a standard 4-speed automatic transmission.

The all-new 2005 Mercury Mariner will be produced at the Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake and will go on sale in late 2004.

Nissan Debuts Three New 2004 Vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. unveiled three all-new vehicles at the New York International Auto Show – the 2004 350Z Roadster sports car, Titan Crew Cab pickup, and the company's first-ever full-size sport utility vehicle, the Pathfinder Armada.

2004 350Z Roadster

Nissan said the 350Z Roadster, which goes on sale this summer, offers the same dynamic driving experience and design as the 350Z Coupe, but with an open top. The power-operated soft top with glass rear window goes from top-up to top-down in 20 seconds.

2004 Titan Crew Cab

The all-new 2004 Titan Crew Cab features a spacious cabin, a high-utility bed with an industry-first factory-applied spray-in bedliner and new Utili-track tie-down system. The Titan Crew Cab is built on a new pickup platform and features a newly designed 5.6-liter DOHC Nissan Endurance V8 with over 300 horsepower and more than 375 lb-ft of torque, standard 5-speed automatic transmission and a towing capacity of up to 9,400 pounds. The Titan will be available in both King Cab and Crew Cab models, with a choice of 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive in late 2003.

2004 Pathfinder Armada

The new Pathfinder Armada offers fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seating, and a long list of standard and available equipment, including a full-length overhead console with available DVD entertainment system and optional 2nd row captain's chairs with a removable 2nd row center console.

The Pathfinder Armada features a fully boxed high-strength steel frame, an independent rear suspension designed for improved interior roominess, and the 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve Nissan Endurance V8 engine. Maximum towing capacity is 9,100 pounds (when properly equipped). 4-wheel drive models feature an advanced full-time 4WD design with a two-speed transfer case with 4-Lo and Auto 4x4 technology.

The 2004 Titan, Pathfinder Armada and Quest will be assembled at Nissan's new $1.43 billion manufacturing facility in Canton, Mississippi.

GM Expands XM Satellite Radio Availability for 2004 Model Year

Accelerating one of the fastest-ever technology rollouts in history, GM will offer XM Satellite Radio on 44 of 57 GM models, representing more than three-quarters of GM's fleet.

In November 2001, GM began offering XM as a factory-installed option on 2002 Cadillac DeVille and Seville. For the 2003 Model Year, GM expanded availability to 25 car, truck and SUV models and offered XM on the entire Cadillac model line. At the start of the 2004 model year, XM will be available on 44 GM models.

Among new models offering XM are the Chevy Malibu, Malibu Maxx, Colorado and GMC Canyon mid-size pick-ups. XM will also be available on GM's high-volume SUVs including the Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and new Buick Rainier.

2004 General Motors XM Satellite Radio Availability

Buick: LeSabre, Rendezvous, Rainier
Cadillac: DeVille, Seville, Escalade, Escalade EXT, Escalade ESV, SRX, XLR, CTS
Chevrolet: Cavalier, Avalanche, Impala, Monte Carlo, Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Malibu, Malibu Maxx, TrailBlazer, TrailBlazer EXT, Colorado, Venture
GMC: Yukon Denali, Yukon Denali XL, Sierra, Yukon, Yukon XL, Envoy, Envoy XL, Envoy XUV, Canyon
Oldsmobile: Alero, Bravada
Pontiac: Aztek, Bonneville, Sunfire, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Vibe, Montana
Saturn: ION, VUE

XM's programming lineup features 101 coast-to-coast digital channels: 70 music channels, many of them commercial-free, and 31 channels of sports, talk and children's and entertainment. For more information, please visit XM's website at www.xmradio.com.

Mercedes PRE-SAFE System Receives its Fourth Award

For the fourth time this year, the PRE-SAFE occupant protection system developed by Mercedes-Benz has received a notable award.

At the New York International Auto Show, the World Traffic Symposium gave Mercedes its Traffic Safety Achievement Award for developing the PRE-SAFE system. This award is presented by the Symposium every year for new technology that has contributed most to reducing the number of serious injuries on U.S. roads.

The PRE-SAFE system is able to detect an impending collision in advance and then react instantly to provide occupants with an optimum level of protection if a collision should take place.

In autumn 2002, PRE-SAFE received its series production debut in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

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Purchasing News Home

Pool Vehicle Inventory

CARS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Dr	Location	Invoice	Ref #
03	Ford	6	Taurus SE	4	Wakefield, RI	$16,780	15188

TRUCKS
Year	Make	Cyl	Model	Location	Invoice	Ref #
03	Chevrolet	8	Suburban 1500 4x2	Carlsbad, CA	$30,208	96657
03	Dodge	6	Caravan SE Passenger Van	Eastpointe, MI	$20,462	23085
03	Dodge	6	Caravan SE Passenger Van	Belford, NJ	$20,462	23088
03	Dodge	6	Caravan SE Passenger Van	Wellesly Hills, MA	$20,019	031511
03	Dodge	6	Caravan SE Passenger Van	South Lawrence, MA	$20,672	01056
03	Dodge	8	Ram 2500 Quad Cab 4x2	Crane, TX	$22,181	20031
03	Ford	8	F150 Super Cab 4x2	Scottsdale, AZ	$21,261	30412
03	Ford	8	F150 Crew Cab 4x4	Appleton, WI	$27,248	03006
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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