Upcoming 2004 Model Year Final Order Due Dates
ARI recommends that final orders be submitted at least two business days prior to the due date. Manufacturers may change final order due dates without notice. |
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Ford Motor Company and General Motors recently announced 2004 Model Year price increases. Ford Summary of 2004 Model Year Ford Price Changes
GM Most price increases are effective October 3, 2003; however, there are some models with a price increase effective date of September 29, 2003. If the effective date for a specific model is required, please contact your ARI Customer Support Services Representative for assistance. Summary of 2004 GM Price Increases
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For the last several years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been assessing vehicle rollover risks by using a static mathematical formula. Now, for the first time, vehicles will be road tested using a "fishhook" maneuver to better assess real-life rollover risks. The new test comes after years of pressure from automakers who argued that the mathematical formula results were misleading because it did not factor in newer technology, such as stability control systems. NHTSA’s Jeffrey Runge agreed, "The stability rating that we’ve been using is not very sensitive to new technologies that manufacturers might use to prevent rollovers". The new "fishhook" test is designed to mimic the type of maneuver a driver might do in an emergency, such as trying to recover after driving off course. During the test the vehicle will be loaded with the equivalent of five passengers and it will have a full tank of gas. NHSTA said it plans to test about 80 percent of new 2004 models. The agency expects to publish the first round of results some time in January. |
FORD TO BUILD ALL-NEW FUTURA AT HERMOSILLO PLANT
The all-new 2006 Ford Futura will be built at the Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant in Sonora, Mexico, Ford recently announced. The future model will be the first on a vehicle platform that will form the basis for up to 10 new products and 800,000 units of volume across the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands in the next several years. Total program investment, including platform development, will be in the range of $1 billion USD. To prepare for Futura, the plant will install Ford's all-new, next-generation flexible manufacturing system, allowing it to change products and options more quickly to better meet market demand. Production of the all-new Futura will begin in 2005, Ford said. Hermosillo will also have the capability to produce future Lincoln and Mercury models on the Futura platform. The Hermosillo plant will have maximum capacity of 300,000 vehicles, with production levels based on customer demand. The Ford Futura will compete in the mid-size car segment and will come with an I-4 or V-6 engine and a full range of fuel-efficient transmissions. The new model was developed from a modified Mazda6 design. |
Volvo Cars Reports Eleventh Consecutive Sales Increase
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Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. reported 10,453 units sold in the United States for the month of September, representing the best September on record for Volvo in North America. Sales were 25.5 percent over September of 2002. Volvo has surpassed its year-over-year monthly sales comparison for eleven consecutive months. September marks the earliest that Volvo Cars has passed the 100,000 sales milestones in the United States. For the year, the sales pace is 22.5 percent ahead of 2002. "An expanding interest in the brand, the continuing demand for our products, and our intensified focus on customer service are showing up in our sales results," said Vic Doolan, VCNA President and CEO. "This has been our best ever first three quarters in the United States and with our all-new S40 on the horizon we're looking for good things down the road," Doolan said. Volvo's all-new S40, introduced last month at the Frankfurt International Motor Show, will be integral to meeting Volvo's increased sales target for North America. Volvo's new model will appear in showrooms in the spring of 2004. In the highlights for September, the XC90 continued to record strong sales despite several pipeline supply impediments to fulfilling the demand. The recently introduced S80AWD also contributed to a 19.3 percent increase in sales for that model. The 2003 Volvo automobile line includes the XC90, the sporty S60 sedan (including the S60 R performance sedan), V70 R wagon, the flagship S80 luxury sedan, the rugged XC70, the C70 convertible and the compact S40 and V40 models. |
2004 Infiniti G35 Sport Sedan AWD Offers Advanced ATTESA E-TS
The key to the performance of the new all-wheel drive G35 Sport Sedan is its state-of-the-art ATTESA E-TS™ all-wheel drive system, which Infiniti calls "one of the most advanced on-pavement all-wheel drive systems in the world". The ATTESA E-TS, which stands for Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split, utilizes an electro-magnetic clutch control design (in contrast to typical oil pressure clutch control) to provide quicker response, lighter weight and true variable torque distribution, ranging from 50:50 up to 0:100 percent front-to-rear ratio. The ATTESA system is designed for smooth starts, better fuel
economy and better traction and maneuverability on snowy roads
than conventional all-wheel drive systems and minimal compromise
of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads.
The system's advanced torque split control strategy automatically transfers optimum torque to the wheels according to road and driving conditions. It provides outstanding cornering capability similar to a sports car due to optimum torque distribution to the front and rear wheels. System sensors continuously monitor vehicle speed, throttle position and wheel spin at all four wheels. When road conditions don't require AWD, the G35 acts and feels like the rear-wheel drive G35 sedan, with the system capable of sending up to 100 percent of the power to the rear wheels. From a standing start, the ATTESA system adjusts the front-to-rear torque distribution, adding 25 percent to the front wheels for a more powerful start. The system then quickly adjusts torque distribution as needed, sending up to 100 percent to the rear wheels if conditions warrant, or adjusting the front drive percentage up to 50 percent as needed. In cornering situations, the ATTESA system can detect traction needs throughout the course of a turn and react accordingly. With its millisecond response time, the system can shift toque back and forth between the front and rear wheels to help enhance stability and traction. For example, in entering a corner under normal driving conditions, the system functions nearly the same as any rear-wheel drive car. Torque distribution is almost 100 percent rear. Once in the corner, the system is able to transfer to the front wheels that portion of the drive torque that the rear wheels can't handle. This results in sports car-like cornering ability. When exiting the corner, torque can be quickly transferred according to the wheel spin of the rear wheels for smooth acceleration out of the turn. Another unique feature of the G35 AWD system design is the addition of a Snow-Mode function, which reduces throttle sensitivity and fixes initial torque distribution at 50:50, helping avoid wheel spin for smooth starts on snowy roads. At speeds above 12 miles per hour, the Snow-Mode function allows the central computer processing system to take over again, continually monitoring traction conditions and changing the torque distribution as needed. Beginning in early December 2003, the all-wheel drive G35 Sport Sedan will be available in one fully equipped model, the AWD G35 Sedan. It will be badged the G35x. |
At the 37th Tokyo Motor Show Mercedes-Benz will present a new research vehicle which provides insights into the automotive technology of tomorrow and beyond. Packaged as a modern four-door fastback sedan, the "F 500 Mind" mobile research lab showcases more than a dozen ideas for enhancing safety, drive technology and comfort. The variety of innovations ranges from the night vision system with infrared laser headlamps to two-way doors and a programmable multi-vision display in the cockpit. Electronic accelerator and brake pedals, an interior pillar which provides structural rigidity and an ultrasound driver information system are also being tested by Mercedes-Benz in the F 500 Mind. DaimlerChrysler said its researchers will be conducting the first practical tests of these systems to pave the way for their commercialization. The F 500 Mind offers a significant gain in legroom in the rear compared with a production model in this class. This was made possible by using innovative electronic accelerator and brake pedals, which take up much less space than their conventional counterparts. The multi-vision display in the cockpit of the F 500 Mind forms the centerpiece of an instrumentation and control system that offers the driver more flexible information delivery and at the same time reduces fatigue. The dials and displays in the instrument cluster are programmable and their images can be optically superposed or combined with the aid of a semitransparent mirror. An advanced voice-operated control system and an ultrasound-based driver information system take convenience even further. The ultrasound technology directs the sound at the driver so that only he or she can hear the information from the navigation system, the traffic news and other sound-based information sources, while the front passenger and rear passengers remain undisturbed. In the dark or in poor visibility, a special night vision system projects images onto the right-hand display. The night vision system consists of two infrared laser headlights on the front of the vehicle which "illuminate" the road with invisible light and a camera on the windscreen. This allows the driver to spot hazards much earlier than in a vehicle operating on conventional headlamps. The drive system in the research vehicle is a state-of-the-art diesel hybrid unit that uses up to 20 percent less fuel than a comparable diesel engine. |
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 | Anniston, AL | $18,837 | 279556 |
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TRUCKS |
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Year |
Make |
Cyl |
Model |
Location |
Invoice |
Ref # |
| 04 | Chevy | 8 | Silverado 2WD Reg. Cab P/U | Kenner, LA | $21,640 | 11897 |
| 04 | Chevy | 8 | Silverado 2WD Reg. Cab P/U | Kenner, LA | $21,640 | 11898 |
| 04 | Dodge | 8 | Ram Quad Cab 4x2 P/U | Simi Valley, CA | $25,541 | 04002 |
| 04 | Ford | 10 | F450 Chassis Cab 4x2 | Tustin, CA | $25,008 | 19101 |
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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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2004 MODEL YEAR STARTUP & FINAL ORDER DUE DATES
DaimlerChrysler
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
Cars/Minivans
Sebring Sedan, Convertible 1/21/03 TBD Stratus Sedan 1/21/03 TBD Sebring/Stratus Coupe 7/24/03 TBD Neon 7/21/03 TBD 2004 Concorde, Intrepid, 300M ** ** Special Paint: Intrepid Police, Special Service TBD TBD Voyager, Caravan, Grand Caravan *** 7/21/03 10/17/03 Town & Country *** 7/21/03 10/17/03 2004 Pacifica 1/16/03 TBD Trucks
Grand Cherokee 1/2/03 TBD Durango 10/1/03 TBD Wrangler 7/21/03 TBD Liberty 7/7/03 TBD DR Ram 1500 7/28/03 TBD DR Ram 2500 7/28/03 TBD DR Ram 3500 7/28/03 TBD Special Equipment: Ram Regular Pickup, Quad Cab 7/28/03 TBD Dakota Regular Pickup, Quad Cab, Club Cab 7/28/03 TBD Special Equipment: Dakota Regular Pickup, Quad Cab, Club Cab 7/28/03 TBD PT Cruiser 6/23/03 TBD *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 DaimlerChryslerís new LX platform, is first quarter 2004.
*** AWD Minivan models are no longer available for ordering.
Ford, Lincoln & Mercury
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
Cars/Minivans
LS 7/14/03 TBD Town Car 7/14/03 TBD Crown Victoria 7/21/03 TBD Crown Victoria Police 7/21/03 TBD Crown Victoria Natural Gas (CNG) January 2004 TBD Grand Marquis 7/21/03 TBD Marauder TBD TBD Mustang 8/4/03 2/19/04 Focus 9/22/03 1/30/04 Taurus 8/4/03 2/26/04 Sable 8/4/03 2/26/04 Taurus Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) 8/4/03 2/26/04 T-Bird 7/14/03 TBD Freestar 8/25/03 TBD Monterey 8/25/03 TBD Trucks
Econoline Van/Cutaway 9/15/03 TBD Econoline Van/Wagon/Cutaway Dedicated Natural Gas January 2004 TBD F-Series Light Duty – Super Crew (all-new F-150) 7/21/03 TBD F-Series Light Duty – Super Cab and Regular Cab "Heritage" 8/18/03 TBD F-Series Light Duty – Super Cab and Regular Cab (all-new F-150) 6/9/03 TBD F-Series Super Duty 7/14/03 TBD F-Series SD Strip Chassis 8/4/03 TBD F150 Bi-Fuel CNG 11/10/03 TBD F150 Dedicated CNG 9/15/03 TBD F150 LPG 11/10/03 TBD Escape 6/9/03 10/17/03 Ranger 8/4/03 TBD Navigator 8/4/03 TBD Expedition 8/4/03 TBD Explorer 4Dr 8/4/03 TBD Mountaineer 8/4/03 TBD Explorer Sport Trac 8/4/03 TBD Excursion 7/14/03 TBD Aviator 8/18/03 TBD F650/750 12/9/02 12/5/03 * 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. Fordís acceptance of an order is not a production commitment
GM
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
Cars
BUICK Century 6/19/03 TBD Regal 6/19/03 TBD LeSabre 6/5/03 TBD Park Avenue 6/5/03 TBD CADILLAC Seville 6/20/03 TBD Deville 6/20/03 TBD CTS 6/9/03 TBD XLR 5/5/03 TBD CHEVROLET Malibu Classic 6/2/03 TBD Malibu (all-new) 8/11/03 TBD Malibu Maxx TBD TBD Impala 6/19/03 TBD Impala Police/Taxi TBD TBD Monte Carlo 6/19/03 TBD Cavalier 6/9/03 TBD Cavalier w/KL6 CNG Bi-Fuel Eng. TBD TBD Corvette 6/23/03 TBD Oldsmobile Alero 6/4/03 TBD PONTIAC Sunfire 6/9/03 TBD Grand Am 6/2/03 TBD Grand Prix 2/3/03 TBD Bonneville 10/15/03 TBD Bonneville GXP Dec-03 TBD Vibe 5/5/03 TBD Trucks/Minivans
CHEVROLET Tracker 6/16/03 11/7/03 Avalanche 8/4/03 TBD Special Equipment: Avalanche TBD TBD Venture 6/23/03 TBD Special Equipment: Venture TBD TBD Colorado 10/8/03 TBD S-10 Crew Cab 6/16/03 TBD Special Equipment: S-10 Crew Cab TBD TBD Blazer 6/16/03 TBD Special Equipment: Blazer TBD TBD Trailblazer 6/16/03 TBD Special Equipment: Trailblazer TBD TBD Trailblazer EXT 7/14/03 TBD Special Equipment: Trailblazer EXT TBD TBD Express 6/20/03 TBD Special Equipment: Express TBD TBD Silverado ** 6/23/03 TBD Special Equipment: Silverado TBD TBD Tahoe 6/23/03 TBD Special Equipment: Tahoe TBD TBD Suburban 6/23/03 TBD Special Equipment: Suburban TBD TBD Astro 7/21/03 TBD Special Equipment: Astro TBD TBD SSR 10/31/03 TBD Kodiac C4500, C5500 TBD TBD Kodiac C6500, C7500, C8500 TBD TBD GMC Sonoma (Crew Cab) 6/16/03 TBD Special Equipment: Sonoma (Crew Cab) TBD TBD Canyon 10/8/03 TBD Envoy 6/16/03 TBD Special Equipment: Envoy TBD TBD Envoy XL 7/14/03 TBD Special Equipment: Envoy XL TBD TBD Envoy XUV 7/21/03 TBD Special Equipment: Envoy XUV TBD TBD Savana 6/20/03 TBD Special Equipment: Savana TBD TBD Sierra ** 6/23/03 TBD Special Equipment: Sierra TBD TBD Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali/Denali XL 6/23/03 TBD Special Equipment: Yukon/Yukon XL/Denali/Denali XL TBD TBD Safari 7/21/03 TBD Special Equipment: Safari TBD TBD Topkick C4500, C5500 TBD TBD Topkick C6500, C7500, C8500 TBD TBD BUICK Rendezvous 6/2/03 TBD Ranier 7/14/03 TBD CADILLAC Escalade 6/23/03 TBD Escalade EXT 8/4/03 TBD SRX 6/16/03 TBD OLDSMOBILE Silhouette 6/23/03 TBD Bravada 6/16/03 TBD PONTIAC Montana 6/23/03 TBD Aztec 6/2/03 TBD * The above GM dates are estimated and may change without notice. 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. ** The final order due date for all 2500 Series Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Regular and Extended Cab models with option (C6P) 8600 LB GVWR is 10/10/03.
Hummer
Model 2004 Production Startup Date 2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date H2 8/18/03 TBD
Mazda
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
Protégé/Protégé 5 9/16/03 TBD Miata 7/22/03 TBD MPV 8/20/03 TBD Tribute Mid-June TBD B-Series Truck August TBD Mazda6 8/4/03 TBD RX8 3/14/03 TBD
Nissan
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
Altima (50 State Emissions) 9/22/03 TBD Altima (CA Emissions) 10/20/03 TBD Sentra (50 State & CA) 5/1/03 TBD Maxima 4/23/03 TBD Pathfinder 11/1/03 TBD Pathfinder Armada 11/1/03 TBD Xterra 11/1/03 TBD Quest 7/1/03 TBD Frontier 11/1/03 TBD Murano 10/1/03 TBD Titan 12/1/03 TBD
SAAB
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
9-3 Sport Sedan 8/11/03 TBD 9-3 Convertible TBD TBD 9-5 Sedan 8/11/03 TBD 9-5 Sport Wagon 8/11/03 TBD
Saturn
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
ION 7/17/03 TBD L-Series 7/14/03 TBD VUE 8/25/03 TBD
Subaru
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
Forester May-03 TBD Legacy/Outback June-03 TBD Impreza March-03 TBD Baja June-03 TBD
Toyota
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
Corolla April-03 TBD Camry August-03 TBD Camry Solara July-03 TBD Celica August-03 TBD Avalon June-03 TBD Sienna April-03 TBD RAV4/RAV4 EV August-03 TBD 4Runner August-03 TBD Tacoma August-03 TBD Tundra August-03 TBD Sequoia September -03 TBD Land Cruiser August-03 TBD Highlander September-03 TBD Echo August-03 TBD Pruis September-03 TBD Matrix April-03 TBD
Volvo
Model 2004 Production Startup Date*
2004 Fleet Final Order Due Date
S40 5/1/03 TBD S60 5/1/03 TBD S80 5/1/03 TBD V40 5/1/03 TBD V70 5/1/03 TBD C70 Coupe 4/1/03 TBD C70 Convertible 4/1/03 TBD XC90 5/1/03 TBD XC70 5/1/03 TBD
