UPCOMING 2004 MODEL YEAR FINAL ORDER DUE DATES, INCENTIVE DEADLINES, PLANT CLOSINGS
DaimlerChrysler Fast Start Incentive DaimlerChrysler’s Fast Start Program expired on November 30, 2003. Ford Early Order Incentive and Free Taurus ABS December 31, 2003 is the ordering deadline for the Ford Early Order Incentive Program and Free Taurus ABS. Vehicles ordered with either of these incentive programs must be produced by March 31, 2004 to qualify. Ford’s Early Order Incentives are compatible with National Fleet Incentives and Competitive Price Agreements (CPA). GM Early Order Bonus To receive GM’s Early Order Bonus, orders must be received by no later than January 2, 2004 and delivered by March 31, 2004. Eligible out-of-stock units must be delivered by January 2, 2004. GM’s Early Order Bonus is compatible with the National Fleet Incentive Program but not with the Competitive Assistance Program (CAP). Upcoming Plant Downtimes DaimlerChrysler, Ford and General Motors will be closed for the holidays from December 24, 2003 through January 2, 2004. |
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2004 Toyota Prius, Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year”
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Motor Trend has selected the Toyota Prius as the 2004 Car of the Year, one of the most recognized awards in the industry. The redesigned model competed against 26 other new or significantly redesigned nameplates and won based on its performance, engineering advancements, style, quality and overall significance. “The Prius is a capable, comfortable, fun-to-drive car that just happens to get spectacular fuel economy,” said Kevin Smith, editor-in-chief of Motor Trend. “It also provides a promising look at a future where extreme fuel efficiency, ultra-low emissions, and exceptional performance will happily coexist.” For 2004, the Prius hybrid-electric vehicle was redesigned from the ground up and moved from the compact car segment to the midsize segment while achieving higher fuel economy than the previous model year. Using Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® system, the gas/electric Prius achieves an average fuel economy rating of 55 mpg and performance similar to that of a Toyota Camry. Prius uses regenerative braking to recharge its electric motor and never needs to be plugged in. To learn more about the all-new Toyota Prius visit http://www.toyota.com/prius/. Motor Trend will feature the 2004 Car of the Year in the January 2004 issue, which hits newsstands in early December. |
GM ANNOUNCES INTERIM PRICE INCREASE
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On November 21, 2003, prices were increased on most 2004 Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile and Pontiac models. In some cases, increases affect both the base price as well as the destination charge. The average increase for the most popular fleet models is around 0.3%. Generally, Fleet orders are price protected. |
NEW 2004 NISSAN FULL-SIZE TRUCK STARTS UNDER $23K
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Nissan’s first entry into the full-size truck market, the Titan, will start at under $23,000, the manufacturer announced. Pricing starts at $22,400 and $25,100 for the King Cab and the Crew Cab models, respectively. Titan joins the full-size Nissan Pathfinder Armada SUV, which went on sale in October. Both the Titan and Pathfinder Armada are assembled at Nissan's new $1.43 billion manufacturing facility in Canton, Mississippi. Every 2004 Titan features a 305-horsepower/379 lb-ft torque-rated 5.6-liter Nissan Endurance V8 engine, standard 5-speed automatic transmission and a wide variety of available options such as the High-Utility Bed with Utili-track channel tie-down system and standard Wide-Open rear doors on all King Cab models. Properly equipped, Titan can tow up to 9,500 pounds and offers front & rear Active Brake Limited Slip traction control and standard Tire Pressure Monitor System. The Titan is offered in two body styles, Titan King Cab, with its innovative Wide-Open rear doors that open 168 degrees for easier passenger and cargo access to the rear compartment, and Titan Crew Cab, with four full-size doors and a spacious cabin. Both the King Cab and Crew Cab are available in a choice of 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive and in three trim levels, XE, SE and LE. Prices (excluding destination charges) for the 2004 Nissan Titan King Cab models are:
Prices for the 2004 Nissan Titan Crew Cab models are:
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FORD OVERHAULING TRANSMISSION LINEUP
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Ford Motor Company will introduce a variety of all-new transmissions between now and 2008, including the new TorqShift® 5-speed automatic transmission, which went on sale in F-Series Super Duty trucks earlier this year; an all-new continuously variable transmission (CVT); and new front-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive 6-speed automatic transmissions. These new transmissions offer significant fuel economy benefits, as well as smoother operation and performance feel, Ford said. In addition, numerous efficiency improvements will be applied to all existing Ford transmissions to maximize the amount of engine power delivered to the vehicle and to improve their shift quality and durability. |
FREELANDER GETS NEW LOOK, GREATER VALUE FOR 2004
2004 Land Rover Freelander
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Land Rover's award-winning Freelander, the most affordable Land Rover model, gets a new look and greater value in 2004. It will be offered in 3- and 5-door body styles and two trim levels: SE and HSE. A fresh exterior look was accomplished by redesigning the front bumper and grille and by adopting the twin-pocket, clear lens headlamps similar to the Range Rover. The new lights provide 70 percent brighter illumination. At the rear, the taillamps have been repositioned higher in the bumper to improve their visibility. In addition, both front and rear bumpers are now body colored. On the inside, the 2004 Freelander has been restyled to improve comfort and the feeling of luxury. There is a new fascia, instruments, switchgear, door trim panels and front seats that offer better comfort. There continues to be two body styles offered: the SE3 three-door version featuring a detachable roof, and the five-door in two trim levels - SE and HSE. Standard equipment for 2004 five-doors includes roof rails, deep-tinted windows and a single-disc CD player. Pricing for the 2004 Freelander begins at $25,995 for the SE model and $28,995 for the HSE. The SE3, three-door model, with removable hardtop, will carryover its 2003 pricing and remain at $26,995 with destination and delivery charges included. Power is provided by a 174 horsepower, 2.5-liter, light-alloy V6 engine driving a five-speed automatic transmission with CommandShift™ which has been recalibrated for smoother shifting. EPA estimated City/Highway fuel economy figures are 17/21 mpg, respectively. All Land Rovers are backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty, a 6-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion perforation limited warranty and Land Rover Road RecoverySM 24-hour service. |
DODGE INTRODUCES POWERFUL RAM SRT-10
Dodge Ram SRT-10
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Dodge recently introduced the most powerful and fastest production pickup truck ever, the new 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10. It delivers an incredible 500 horsepower and 525 lb.-ft. of torque and can reach a speed of 60 mph in under six seconds with top speeds exceeding 150 mph. The Ram SRT-10 features the highest displacement engine in a factory pickup truck – the same 8.3-liter aluminium V-10 that powers the 2003 Dodge Viper. The V-10’s horsepower rating surpasses all other pickups and virtually every production sports car in the world. The Ram SRT-10 will be produced in limited quantities. |
GM STUDIES SAFETY BELT REMINDERS THAT CLICK WITH DRIVERS
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Do you fasten your safety belt before you start the engine, while engaging the transmission, rolling down the driveway or even later? The answers are helping General Motors safety engineers design seat belt reminder systems that may click with non-belt users. "The good news is that more people than ever are using safety belts," said Jim Khoury, a GM safety engineer and expert on advanced safety belt and air bag research. "The challenge for us as an automaker is to use technology to help convince the roughly 20 percent of drivers who don't regularly buckle up to do so." One key may lie in enhanced safety belt reminder systems. A study GM commissioned showed that nearly 69 percent of drivers fasten their safety belts after starting their vehicles, and about 20 percent don't buckle up until the vehicle is put into gear. Another 3 percent do not fasten their safety belt until more than 19 seconds after placing the vehicle in gear. The study helps reaffirm GM's practice of equipping vehicles with reminder systems that go beyond the current federal mandates, and it will likely lead to an even more ambitious system in future years. The current safety belt reminder system in the majority of new GM vehicles consists of eight seconds of a chime and 20 seconds of a solid warning light, followed by an additional 55 seconds of flashing light. In 2004 model year full-size pick-ups and sport-utility vehicles equipped with an automatic front passenger air bag suppression system, front-seat passengers also are reminded electronically to fasten their safety belt. Federal law requires four to eight seconds each of chime and light for the driver only. In 2001, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety studied a seat belt reminder system that chimes for up to five minutes and found that it increased belt use among drivers by 5 percentage points. Nationally, safety belt use is at 79 percent, the highest ever, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA has determined that with each percentage point increase in seat belt use, 250 lives would be saved each year. If all current non-users buckled up, $26 billion annually could be saved in medical care, lost productivity and other injury-related costs. |
FORD SVT FUTURE PRODUCT PLANS
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2004 will be the last model year of production for the current generation of SVT products, including the Mustang Cobra, F-150 Lightning and Focus. Production of all three SVT models will end during the second quarter of the 2004 calendar year. The rollout of the next generation of SVT Cobra and Lightning will begin with the 2006 model year, Ford said. At this time there are no plans to introduce an SVT-badged replacement for the SVT Focus. Information on 2006 model year SVT products will be released at a later date. |
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 10/31/03 Town & Country *** 7/21/03 10/31/03 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/Wagon/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 1/28/04 * 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 10/15/03 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. 2003 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 12/15/03 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 12/15/03 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
