Upcoming 2003 Final Order Due Dates
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Listed below are the final order due dates for
the last remaining 2003 models. The order banks for all other 2003
models are now closed.
This is the final reminder to be included in the ARI Purchasing News.
* 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". |
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On June 25, 2003 DaimlerChrysler released
their 2004 Model Year Commercial Fleet Purchase Allowance
Program. In addition, the automaker announced a 2005 Early
Introduction Program for the Intrepid and 300M replacement
models, which are based on a new LX platform.
The total Fleet Program incentives noted below will continue to be displayed on the invoice as two separate credits – the Fleet Purchase Allowance and the CMA. The CMA and Fleet Purchase Allowance amounts vary for vehicles registered in California, Texas and the New England states, but the total off invoice credit remains the same.
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With the recent balance out of the 2003 MY Ford
Taurus, the ample volume of vehicles currently available from the
Taurus Rapid Delivery pool is a convenient alternative to purchasing
units out of stock.
Currently, Ford has 273 vehicles in the pool ready for Rapid Delivery. Available colors include Beige, Green, Red, Silver and White. Most units are equipped with Antilock Brakes. If interested, please contact your ARI Client Support Services Representative for assistance. |
Nissan Announces Pricing on All-New 2004 Quest Minivan and 2004 Z® Roadster
Nissan North America, Inc. announced pricing on two new 2004 models – the Nissan Quest minivan and a new convertible version of the popular 350Z sports car, the 350Z Roadster. Both vehicles are slated to go on sale this summer. The all-new Quest, which began production at Nissan's new $1.4 billion assembly plant in Canton, Miss. on May 27, has a starting MSRP of $24,590 for the 3.5 S equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and Seat Package. Other available Quest models include the 3.5 SL with an MSRP of $27,090 with Seat Package and the Quest 3.5 SE with standard 5-speed automatic transmission and Seat Package at an MSRP of $32,990. The 2004 350Z Roadster joins the 350Z Coupe, which was introduced last August. The Z® Roadster offers sports car enthusiasts the Z® Coupe's high performance, but with a power-operated soft top. Operation of the top, which incorporates a glass rear window and defroster, is designed to take 20 seconds start to finish. The 2004 Z® Roadster will be available in two models: the 350Z Roadster Enthusiast Model with MSRPs of $33,850 and $34,820 for manual and automatic transmissions respectively and the 350Z Roadster Touring Model at MSRPs of $36,220 and $37,190 for manual and automatic transmissions respectively. |
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General Motors will be closed from June 30th
through July 11th for its annual two week shut-down period.
Proactive steps have been taken to ensure that fleet units are shipped
prior to June 30th, GM said.
GM has instructed all of their carriers to reduce inventory before the shutdown and Fleet orders are being given "priority shipping" status. |
Chrysler Introduces Premium Care Plan for 2004 Crossfire and Pacifica
The Chrysler brand recently announced a new Premium Care Plan for the all-new 2004 Chrysler Pacifica and Crossfire models. The Premium Care Plan entitles all Crossfire and Pacifica owners to a no-charge loaner vehicle any time scheduled maintenance or non-body shop repair is required during the initial three-year/36,000 mile warranty period.
Chrysler Crossfire and Pacifica owners will be automatically enrolled into this program, free of charge, at the time of vehicle purchase or lease. Customers who have already taken delivery of their vehicle will receive their service contract automatically via mail, Chrysler Group said. The Premium Care Plan includes:
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Ford Changes 2004 Freestar Nomenclature
Effective immediately, 2004 MY Freestar nomenclature is being changed. Body code descriptions will also be changed accordingly. Ford said these actions support the Freestar's all-new position and are based on dealer feedback. Changes are as follows:
The series nomenclature changes will be reflected in the July 1 release of the 2004 MY Freestar order guide and PriceNet will be updated accordingly. |
GM Improves Overall Plant Productivity By 7.4 Percent
| General Motors continues to close the productivity gap with the automotive
industry leaders with a 7.4 percent overall improvement in manufacturing
productivity, according to "The Harbour Report North America 2003".
GM remains the domestic leader in manufacturing productivity.
According to the annual study, GM's vehicle assembly plants improved productivity by 6.4 percent last year. GM's engine and transmission operations maintained leadership among the domestic automakers with respective productivity improvements of 9.3 percent and 7.8 percent, while GM's metal stamping operations registered an 11.3 percent improvement. "We're very pleased with the progress we continue to see in our manufacturing productivity, as we've improved by more than 22 percent in the last five years. However, the fiercely competitive nature of this industry will not allow us to rest on these accomplishments," said Troy Clarke, GM group vice president for manufacturing and labor relations. Clarke maintains that GM must continue the productivity improvements for the company's long-term competitiveness. "Union leadership, management and our employees are working hard together to make General Motors a better company. As we continue implementing our Global Manufacturing System and continue developing new products that are simpler to build, we have opportunities to sustain these improvements. We must continue to improve our productivity and efficiency, because it allows the company to stay competitive in the market place, keeps our plants running and our people working." GM's Global Manufacturing System is being implemented into all GM facilities - new and old. It's a lean manufacturing system that focuses its energies on the relationship with the assembly line operator by putting the operator in a position to build the highest quality product in the most efficient manner, GM said. |
UConnect Available at all Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep® Dealerships Nationwide
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The Chrysler Group recently announced nationwide
availability of UConnect, its in-vehicle, hands-free, voice-activated
communications system. The Chrysler Group is the first North American
automaker to offer a Bluetooth-enabled automotive application.
UConnect is available as a Mopar dealer-installed option on the following 2004 Model Year vehicles:
UConnect will debut in the third quarter as a factory-installed option on the all-new 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. Factory-installation will be $275 MSRP. The cost for the dealer-installed version of UConnect is $299 MSRP plus labor. UConnect features the following:
Both factory- and dealer-installed versions of UConnect operate similarly. The dealer-installed version consists of a control pad, speaker, microphone, wiring harness and a control module containing voice recognition software and the Bluetooth chipset. The control pad and the microphone are the only visible items to the consumer. The control pad is mounted on the vehicle dashboard and the microphone is attached to the overhead console. A hidden speaker transmits the audio. The factory-installed version allows the audio to be heard through the vehicle's radio speakers and a microphone is housed in the vehicle's rearview mirror serving as the driver interface. In both versions, the user's mobile phone may then be placed wherever the user chooses within the vehicle. Conversations may be continued upon entering or exiting the vehicle, without disrupting the call. |
NHTSA Issues New Performance Standards for Tires
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On June 23, 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) issued more stringent performance requirements
that will cover most new tires on vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds.
Following the recall of millions of Firestone tires in 2000, Congress ordered NHTSA to overhaul its tire testing procedures. The result is a final rule that strengthens the current requirements for high-speed/endurance tests while adding a new low-pressure performance test and, for the first time, tires on SUVs and other light trucks will have to meet the same performance standards as passenger cars. "Without question, these new performance requirements will improve tire safety," said NHTSA Administrator Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D. Manufacturers must comply with the new standards by June 1, 2007. |
Download Feature News Word Document
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CARS |
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Year |
Make |
Cyl |
Model |
Dr |
Location |
Invoice |
Ref # |
| 03 | Ford | 6 | Taurus SE | 4 | Wakefield, RI | $16,780 | 15188 |
| 03 | Chevrolet | 6 | Impala Sedan | 4 | Mt. Laurel, NJ | $18,964 | 12484 |
| 03 | Pontiac | 6 | Grand Am SE Sedan | 4 | Kingwood, TX | $15,029 | 56060 |
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TRUCKS |
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Year |
Make |
Cyl |
Model |
Location |
Invoice |
Ref # |
| 03 | Chevrolet | 8 | Suburban 1500 4x2 | Carlsbad, CA | $30,208 | 96657 |
| 03 | Chevrolet | 6 | Venture Value Van | Flourtown, PA | $19,170 | Multiple |
| 03 | Chevrolet | 6 | Venture Value Van | Mechanicsburg, PA | $19,170 | 08358A |
| 03 | GMC | 8 | 3500 Chassis Cab 4x2 | Gilroy, CA | $29,256 | Multiple |
| 03 | Ford | 6 | Escape Limited 4x4 | Mt. Laurel, NJ | $25,408 | 23226 |
| 03 | Ford | 8 | F150 Regular Cab 4x4 | Guyman, OK | $25,121 | 770309 |
| 03 | Ford | 8 | F150 Crew Cab 4x4 | Appleton, WI | $27,248 | 03006 |
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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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General Motors 2004 OnStar Factory Installed Vehicle Availability - Fleet Vehicles - United States
| Directions & Connections Plan - One Year Subscription: | |||||||||||||
| Cadillac | DeVille | DeVille | |||||||||||
| DeVille | DHS | DTS | |||||||||||
| Escalade | Escalade | ||||||||||||
| All Escalalde | |||||||||||||
| Escalade ESV | Escalade E | ||||||||||||
| All Escalade | |||||||||||||
| Escalade EXT | Escalade E | ||||||||||||
| All Escalade | |||||||||||||
| Seville | SLS | STS | |||||||||||
| 1SA | 1SB | 1SC | 1SA | 1SD | 1SE | 1SF | |||||||
| SRX | SRX | ||||||||||||
| 1SA | 1SB | 1SC | |||||||||||
| XLR | XLR | ||||||||||||
| 1SA | 1SB | ||||||||||||
| Safe & Sound Plan - One Year Subs | |||||||||||||
| Cadillac | CTS | CTS | |||||||||||
| 1SA | 1SB | 1SC | |||||||||||
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| Buick | Century | Custom | |||||||||||
| 1SA (FF) | 1SB (FF) | 1SC (FF) | Legend | ||||||||||
| LeSabre | Custom | Limited | OnStar is NOT Available | ||||||||||
| 1SA | 1SE (FF) | 1SE | |||||||||||
| Park Avenue | Base | Ultra | OnStar is Standard in the PEG | ||||||||||
| 1SA | 1SE | 1SE | |||||||||||
| Rainier | CXL | OnStar is included in a Value Package | |||||||||||
| 1SC | 1SD | ||||||||||||
| Regal | LS | GS | OnStar is available as a Free Flow option | ||||||||||
| 1SA (FF) | 1SB (FF) | 1SC (FF) | 1SD | ||||||||||
| Rendezvous | CX | CXL | |||||||||||
| 1SA | 1SB | 1SC | 1SD | ||||||||||
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| Chevrolet | Avalanche1 | LS | Z71 | LT | |||||||||
| 1SJ (FF) | 1SK (FF) | 1SL | 1SM | 1SN | |||||||||
| Cavalier | Base | LS | LS Sport | ||||||||||
