DaimlerChrysler Announces Order Cutoff for 2004 Minivans

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Ford Announces Higher Towing Capacity for 2004 F-150

All-New 2004 F-150 XL Ford has announced that the all-new F-150 has a best-in-class towing capacity of 9,900 lbs., which is 400 lbs. more than the number they initially released. The new F-150 also boasts best-in-class low-end torque, with more than 80 percent of the truck's 365 foot-pounds of torque available at 1,000 rpm. In addition to towing and low-end torque, the 2004 F-150 features a number of other best-in-class titles, including payload of 3,000 lbs., maximum cargo box volume of 81.3 cu. ft., as well as interior volume and securable interior storage space. The new F-150 is also the first full-size pickup to feature an all four-door lineup.

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2004 Nissan Altima to Start at Under $17,000

Nissan Altima For 2004, Altima will have a starting MSRP of $16,850 for the 2.5 model with manual transmission, Nissan announced. The most popular Altima model, the 2.5 S with automatic transmission will carry an MSRP of $19,200, while the top-of-the-line Altima 3.5 SE with V6 engine and automatic transmission will start at a MSRP of $23,250. This represents a $100 price increase, across the board, over previous model year base prices. New for this year, all 4-cylinder models sold with California emissions standards will be certified to a more stringent standard called Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV). As a result, the California Emissions equipment causes nominal reductions in horsepower (from 175 hp to 170 hp). These vehicles will be sold in California and Northeastern states only.

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DaimlerChrysler Increases Base Prices

Infiniti Introduces New Models, Charts Changes

Cadillac Announces CTS-V Luxury Sedan Pricing

2004 Cadillac CTS-V Cadillac has announced pricing for its all-new 2004 CTS-V high-performance luxury sedan. The CTS-V will arrive in dealerships beginning in January priced at $49,995, including destination and delivery charges. CTS-V is the first in the new V-Series line of Cadillac luxury performance vehicles and features a 400 horsepower 5.7-liter V8, six-speed manual transmission, large Brembo performance brakes, 18-inch wheels and tires, retuned shock absorbers and numerous interior and exterior styling enhancements. 2004 Cadillac CTS-V standard features include: Four-door, rear-wheel drive 5.7-liter overhead valve LS6 V8 with 400 horsepower and 395 lbs.-ft torque 0-60 in 4.6 seconds Tremec T56 Manual Six-Speed Transmission Goodyear Eagle F1 245/45 run-flat tires and 18 by 8.5-inch wheels Large four-piston Brembo brakes with vented rotors Performance-tuned shocks, springs and stabilizer bars Near 50/50 weight distribution Dual chrome oval exhaust tips V-Series badging Stabilitrak with four driver-selected modes of operation, including a mode for better track performance Stainless steel mesh grilles, both below and above the bumper All-new aero rocker design that flows into a new rear fascia Tower-to-tower cross car brace has been installed for improved steering response To help reduce under-hood noise, a nylon cover is fitted over the top of the engine Driver and passenger seats include adjustable lumbar and suede insert material to help maintain driver position in lateral maneuvers Center armrest has been lowered significantly for easier shifting All-new instrument cluster featuring performance-oriented displays All engineering work for the CTS-V was performed by the GM Performance Division, an in-house center designed to explore potential enthusiast-oriented versions of production models. CTS-V will be produced at GM's Lansing Grand River assembly center, the manufacturing site for the CTS, SRX luxury utility and future STS luxury sedan.

Saturn Selects ‘RELAY' as Name for 2005 Crossover Sport Van

Saab Hatches New 9-3 Concept

Saab 9-3 Concept At this year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Saab introduced a new 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept. The new model was designed with the goal of bringing Saab into the mid-size wagon segment. Powered by a 250-hp, 2.0-liter turbo engine, the new model offers sporty performance and innovative load-carrying features, while challenging the traditional distinction between a hatchback and wagon, the automaker said. Key Highlights Include: Bold styling cues from Saab 9-3X "cross-over coupe" concept vehicle Compact, sporty stance backed by chassis with Saab ReAxs control Four-seat layout with central "clear zone" motif in front and rear Information displays on demand via touch-screen Glass roof and recessed load fixing points to eliminate roof bars Powered tailgate with integrated bike-carrying function Extra storage floor below cargo deck "Just as the 9-3X occupies a position where coupe meets off-roader, this car represents a cross-over point between hatchback and wagon," says Michael Mauer, Saab's Head of Design. "It is the sort of product that should come from Saab and our customers will be able to buy a car very much like this." The Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept is the latest development in what Saab calls "the most comprehensive new product plan in Saab's history". Following the unveiling of the 9X concept vehicle at Frankfurt two years ago, the 9-3X was shown at Detroit last year and the all-new 9-3 Sport Sedan went on sale in September. The 9-3 Convertible was recently launched and next summer the all-wheel-drive Saab 9-2 model is scheduled to arrive in North America.

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2003 MODEL YEAR
FINAL ORDER DATES & 2004 MODEL YEAR PLANT STARTUP DATES

 

DaimlerChrysler

Model	2003 Final Order Due Date*	2004 Order Bank Open Date*	2004 Production Startup*
Cars/Minivans
Sebring Sedan, Convertible	2003 order banks closed	Open	1/21/03
Stratus Sedan	2003 order banks closed	Open	1/21/03
Sebring/Stratus Coupe	2003 order banks closed	TBD	TBD
Neon	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
Concorde, Intrepid, 300M	2003 order banks closed	**	**
2004 Concorde, Intrepid, 300M	2004 order banks closed	**	**
Special Paint: Intrepid Police, Special Service	2003 order banks closed	TBD	TBD
Voyager, Caravan, Grand Caravan ***	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
Town & Country, AWD ***	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
2004 Pacifica	N/A	Open	1/16/03
Trucks
Grand Cherokee	2003 order banks closed	Open	1/1/03
Durango	2003 order banks closed	TBD	TBD
Wrangler	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
Liberty	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/7/03
DR Ram 1500	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/28/03
DR Ram 2500	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/28/03
DR Ram 3500	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/28/03
Special Equipment: Ram Regular Pickup, Quad Cab	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/28/03
Dakota Regular Pickup, Quad Cab, Club Cab	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/28/03
Special Equipment: Dakota Regular Pickup, Quad Cab, Club Cab	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/28/03
Ram Vans	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
Special Equipment: Ram Vans	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
PT Cruiser	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/23/03

* Final order dates, startup dates and order bank opening dates are subject to change. To ensure consideration for production when placing final orders, orders must be placed in the DaimlerChrysler Order System by the above mentioned dates. Actual production, however, is subject to capacity limitations. Please submit your orders to ARI at least 3 business days prior to the final order date.

**Anticipated production start-up of the replacement vehicle for Concorde, Intrepid and 300M, based on DaimlerChrysler's new LX platform, is first quarter 2004.

*** All 2004 RS minivan (Caravan, Grand Caravan and Town & Country) models have a final order date of October 17, 2003

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Ford, Lincoln & Mercury

Model	2003 Final Order Due Date*	2004 Order Bank Open Date*	2004 Production Startup*
Cars/Minivans
LS	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/14/03
Town Car	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/14/03
ZX2	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
Crown Victoria	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
Crown Victoria Police	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
Crown Victoria Natural Gas (CNG)	2003 order banks closed	Open	January 2004
Grand Marquis	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
Marauder	N/A	Open	TBD
Mustang	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Focus	2003 order banks closed	Open	9/22/03
Taurus	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Sable	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Taurus/Sable Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV)	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
T-Bird	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/14/03
Windstar Wagon	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
Windstar Cargo Van (A54)	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
Windstar 3-Door Wagon (A50)	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
Freestar (replaces Windstar)	N/A	Open	8/25/03
Monterey (replaces Villager)	N/A	Open	8/25/03
Trucks
Econoline Van/Wagon/Cutaway	2003 order banks closed	Open	9/15/03
Econoline Van/Wagon/Cutaway Dedicated Nat. Gas	2003 order banks closed	Open	January 2004
F-Series Light Duty – Super Crew (all-new F-150)	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/21/03
F-Series Light Duty – Super Cab and Regular Cab "Heritage"	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/18/03
F-Series Light Duty – Super Cab and Regular Cab (all-new F-150)	N/A	Open	6/9/03
F-Series Super Duty	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/14/03
F-Series SD Strip Chassis	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
F150 Bi-Fuel CNG	2003 order banks closed	Open	11/10/03
F150 Dedicated CNG	2003 order banks closed	Open	9/15/03
F150 LPG	2003 order banks closed	Open	11/10/03
Escape **	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/9/03
Ranger	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Ranger FFV	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
Navigator	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Expedition	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Explorer 4DR	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Mountaineer	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Explorer Sport	2003 order banks closed	N/A	Discontinued
Explorer Sport Trac	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/4/03
Excursion	2003 order banks closed	Open	7/14/03
Aviator	2003 order banks closed	Open	8/18/03
F650/750	2003 order banks closed	Open	12/9/02

* Some model lines may have varying buildout/startup dates depending on which assembly plant the vehicle is produced at. The dates shown above represent the earliest tentative buildout/startup date for each model. Models that may have varying dates include: Taurus/Sable, Explorer/Mountaineer, F-Series LD, F-Series SD and Ranger. All dates are tentative and may change without notice. Selected options may be balanced out earlier due to high demand and capacity shortages. Ford's acceptance of an order is not a production commitment.

**The 2004 Escape will have a short Model Year run. The 2004 final order due date is 10/17/03. The tentative 2005 Job #1 is 12/15/03.

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GM

Division	Model	2003 Final Order Due Date*	2004 Order Bank Open Date *	2004 Production Startup *
Cars
Buick	Century	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/19/03
	Regal	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/19/03
	LeSabre	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/5/03
	Park Avenue	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/5/03
Cadillac	Seville	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/20/03
	Deville	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/20/03
	CTS	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/9/03
	XLR	N/A	Open	5/5/03
Chevrolet	Malibu Classic	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/2/03
	Malibu (all-new)	N/A	Open	8/11/03
	Malibu Maxx	N/A	TBD	TBD
	Impala	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/19/03
	Impala Police/Taxi	2003 order banks closed	Open	TBD
	Monte Carlo	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/19/03
	Cavalier	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/9/03
	Cavalier w/KL6 CNG Bi-Fuel Eng.	2003 order banks closed	Open	TBD
	Corvette	TBD	Open	6/23/03
Oldsmobile	Alero	2003 order banks closed	Open	6/4/03
	Aurora