Upcoming 2004 Model Year Final Order Due Dates

2004 Ford Freestar The new 2004 Freestar, Ford's most versatile minivan ever, will arrive in showrooms next month with manufacturer's suggested retail prices about the same or lower than the Windstar minivan. Freestar is Ford's second major new vehicle introduction in 2003, following the all-new 2004 F-150. It is part of an aggressive rollout of new cars and crossovers, including the Ford GT super car, a freshened Focus, the all-new Five Hundred sedan, the Freestyle crossover and a completely redesigned Mustang – all of which launch next year. Major standard equipment on Freestar includes a new 3.9-liter V-6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch wheels and tires, air conditioning, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake force distribution and the new fold-into-the-floor Tailgate Bench seat. Available options include a DVD rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones ($1,395), power liftgate (late availability), Safety Canopy side curtain air bags ($695), AdvanceTrac ($395) and a six-disc CD changer ($150). Freestar S - $24,460 The entry-level Freestar S is $705 more than a comparable 2003 Windstar. Freestar SE - $26,930 MSRP Standard equipment includes remote keyless entry system, speed control, roof rack, privacy glass and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. Freestar SE is priced $70 less than a 2003 Windstar LX standard. Freestar SES - $28,750 MSRP Standard equipment includes all Freestar SE equipment plus air conditioning with tri-zone temperature control, driving lamps, power driver's seat, five-spoke aluminum sport wheels, and a unique grille, bumpers and trim treatment. Freestar SES is priced $195 more than the Windstar LX Deluxe. Freestar SEL - $29,995 MSRP Standard equipment includes many Freestar SES features, plus a 4.2-liter V-6, first- and second-row bucket seats, keyless entry keypad, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with built-in audio controls, cornering lamps, an overhead console with a compass and outside temperature display, and an AM/FM stereo with cassette, CD player and rear seat audio controls. Freestar SEL is priced $80 higher than a 2003 Windstar SE. Freestar Limited $33,630 MSRP Standard equipment includes all SEL equipment plus power sliding rear passenger doors, electronic automatic climate control, power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, unique "Limited" interior trim, including leather seating surfaces, two-tone exterior treatment and power heated signal mirrors with puddle lamps. Freestar Limited is priced $1,880 less than a 2003 Windstar Limited. Freestar is built at Ford Motor Company's Oakville (Ontario) Assembly Plant. Additional product information is available at www.fordvehicles.com/freestar.

Nissan Announces Pathfinder Armada Pricing

2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada The all-new 2004 Pathfinder Armada full-size SUV will start at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price of $33,300, Nissan announced. The new model will begin to arrive at dealerships in early November. Pathfinder Armada will be offered in 3 trim levels: SE, SE Off-Road and LE models in both 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive. A number of optional packages are available to allow buyers to order vehicles to their exact needs. The SE model, which will make up nearly a quarter of the overall mix, features a long list of standard equipment such as: A 5.6-liter V8 engine with 305 HP and 385 lb-ft of torque An electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission Engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering 4-wheel disc brakes with Teves Anti-lock Braking System Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist Vehicle Dynamic Control system with Traction Control Tire Pressure Monitor System Rear proximity-sensors Side curtain air bags with protection for all three rows Fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats The 2WD SE Off-Road model is offered at $36,450, while the uplevel 2WD LE model strats at $37,800. Four-wheel drive increases the price by $2,800. The Pathfinder Armada is now available for fleet ordering; however, a fleet incentive is not available.

DaimlerChrysler Prepares for New Mercedes-Benz Model

Mercedes-Benz Grand Sports Tourer After years of planning, the DaimlerChrysler site in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is going to be greatly expanded for production of the new Mercedes-Benz Grand Sports Tourer (GST). The future model will go into production at the start of 2005 alongside the M-Class and will be the second model that Mercedes-Benz produces in Tuscaloosa. The GST is being designed as a long-distance car, DaimlerChrysler said. This is why the engineers are being generous in their planning right from the start, ensuring plenty of room on all seats. The GST also caters to the needs of sports enthusiasts who wish to take bicycles, skis or other equipment with them on the road. The new model will offer either a six or eight cylinder engine along with the new 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. The GST will also feature intelligent engineering that will be able to actively contribute towards preventing accidents. "We have set ourselves the goal of developing a vehicle which is not only technically perfect, but which also enthrals from an emotional point of view," said Professor Jürgen Hubbert, a member of the DaimlerChrysler AG Board of Management and head of the Mercedes Car Group. "This versatile automobile is the result of an intensive dialogue with our clients, whom we have been nurturing for years, in order to identify the wishes of our drivers, analyze them and turn them into new vehicle concepts."

All-New 2004 Chevrolet Aveo Starts at $9,995

2004 Chevrolet Aveo Four-Door 2004 Chevrolet Aveo Five-Door The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the all-new compact Chevrolet Aveo begins at $9,995 for manual four and five-door models (includes a destination charge of $540). The Aveo arrives in Chevrolet dealerships in certain areas of the country in December, and goes on sale nationally in January. Aveo is offered in three trim levels including Special Value, Base and LS models. The MSRP for the base model is $11,690 and the LS model carries an MSRP of $12,585. Prices are applicable to both the four and five-door models, and include the destination charge. All three models feature a E-TEC 1.6-liter dual overhead cam 16-valve inline four cylinder engine mated to a lightweight, high efficiency five-speed manual transmission. Standard features include rack-and-pinion steering, single-stage front air bags, daytime running lamps, AM/FM stereo, two-speed variable intermittent wipers, a rear window defogger and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. In addition, Aveo offers a variety of equipment on the base and LS models, such as air conditioning with cabin air filtration, power door locks, remote keyless entry, alloy wheels, and a CD player with MP3 playback. Other available options include a four-speed Aisin automatic transmission, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, power windows, heated outside rearview mirrors, uplevel seat fabric, power sunroof , six-speaker premium sound system, engine immobilizer, rear spoiler and engine block heater. Fuel economy is estimated at 27 mpg in city driving, 36 mpg on the highway with the manual transmission, and 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the automatic transmission.

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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 two 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