In 1955, Volvo Cars of North America entered the American market with one car, the PV444. Last year Volvo sold over 400,000 cars worldwide with about 100,000 sold in the United States.
On May 28, 1998, Volvo Cars of North America introduced to the press, the new S80. It is a car with some unique features that make it stand out from the crowd. For example:
Volvo's multiplexed electrical architecture - With more and more electrical features, the wiring on most cars has become heavy, bulky and very complex. The Volvo S80 solved this problem with an on-board computer network of over 30 computers connected by a multiplex cabling system that allows multiple signals to be sent along a single path. In other cars each electric function has its own wiring.
Volvo's IC (inflatable Curtain) On the S80 is the third stage in the development of Volvo's Side Impact Protection System, SIPS. When SIPS body structure was introduced in 1991, it set an entirely new standard for side impact protection. The second step was taken in 1994 with the SIPS bag, an airbag fitted cleverly into the side of the front seats.
The third stage, IC is an inflatable protective curtain concealed inside the headliner from the front side "A" pillar to the rear side "C" pillar on both the driver and passenger sides. When deployed, the curtain drops down through openings in the headliner, inflates in about 25 milliseconds, and helps to cushion the doorside passenger's heads. IC can absorb as much as 75 percent of the energy the head exerts when it is thrown at the side. The deployed curtain also helps to protect passengers from being partially thrown out through a side window.
WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) is another unique safety system making its debut in the Volvo S80. Whiplash injuries are usually caused during rear-end collisions when the head is thrown backwards. This frequently produces neck pain, numbness and neurological symptoms, causing injury that is difficult if not impossible to cure. WHIPS is an entirely new seat concept in which the backrest and head restraint shift backwards in a parallel movement during rear-end collisions. The upper part of the body and the head are cushioned in a soft, balanced manner, reducing the recoil in which the body is subjected. Rearward G force is reduced by approximately 50 percent, decreasing the likelihood of whiplash for the passengers.
Integrated Controls - The radio and temperature controls are positioned on the steering wheel to make operation straightforward and safe while minimizing the risk of being distracted.
Approach Light - This enables the driver to use the key fob to turn on the S80's interior lights, side marker lamps and the lamps in the exterior rearview mirrors from a distance of approximately 30 feet. This illuminates the large area of the ground around the car, helping the driver determine if anyone is inside or near the car.
Home Safe Lighting - After stopping the car, the driver can pull the high beam lever once to activate this feature. This turns on the dipped headlights, interior lighting, side marker lamps and the lamps in the exterior mirrors, lighting the area so all occupants can exit the S80 safely.
Pricing is expected to be in the $36,000 to $40,000 range. The front wheel drive Volvo S80 will replace the Volvo 960 and should be in dealer's showrooms this fall.
More information is available on Volvo's web site at http://www.volvocars.com.
Overall Length 189.8 in. Overall Width 72.1 in. Wheelbase 109.9 in. Fuel Tank Capacity 21.1 gal. Trunk Cargo Volume 14.2 cu. ft. Curb Weight 3,600 lbs.
Look for a special preview of the 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee at a press conference on June 16, 1999, at Cobo Hall in Detroit.
Chrysler may try to out-do its 1992 introduction of the Grand Cherokee when then-Mayor Coleman Young and then-Chrysler President Robert Lutz drove the original Jeep Grand Cherokee from the Jefferson North Assembly Plant up the steps of Cobo Hall and straight through a glass window. It was all part of the "presentation."
"The 1992 Jeep Grand Cherokee virtually created a whole new level within the segment by combining outstanding comfort with unsurpassed capability," said Robert Eaton. "We are fully confident that our customers will find the all-new 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee raises that level even higher."
Nissan Motor Company wants to move the Maxima to the Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant by the year 2001, according to informed sources. The 2001 model will probably share the platform with the Altima, which is currently built in that assembly plant.
1998 MAXIMA
A sport utility is also in the plans for this plant. Currently the 2-door Frontier pickup is produced in Smyrna. From that will come the 4-door pickup truck and a sport utility in the spring of 1999.
Nissan plans to discontinue selling the 200SX and 240SX coupes at the end of the 1998 model-year.
In the previous issue of the "Purchasing News" we inadvertently left Buick out of the listing of "start-up" dates. Here is the complete list of dates for Buick:
The ACN program is a public and private partnership sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), involving Calspan, Cellular One of Buffalo, New York and other agencies in the Greater Buffalo area, including the Erie County Sheriff's Department.
The purpose of the partnership is to design, develop and field test a functional system that combines cellular communications and Global Positioning Systems with a unique crash-sensing technology developed by Calspan. The purpose of the system is to not only shorten the time it takes to notify authorities of the crash event but to improve the quality of the response.
Recently, a successful full-scale test involving two vehicles, both equipped with ACN devices, was conducted at Veridian's Calspan Operations crash test facility in Buffalo, New York. In the test, one vehicle was stationary and the other traveled down the test track at 32 miles per hour. The ACN systems worked as intended and both units automatically sensed the crash and delivered messages to the 911 station within 45 seconds of the collision.
The ACN system uses on-board sensors to identify that a crash has taken place. It then uses the Government's Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) System and conventional cellular phone system to deliver a data message directly to 911 operators. After the data message is delivered, a voice line is opened up between the dispatcher and the vehicle. The ACN data message includes a history of the crash event itself, the direction of force, and a measure of the severity of the crash. It also indicates the final resting position of the vehicle. All of this information is displayed simultaneously on the 911 Message Center.
Calspan's Vice President of Transportation, Mr. Ed Starosielec, said "The in-vehicle technology associated with providing automated mayday systems, is here today, and can have a beneficial and direct effect on saving lives and reducing injuries from crashes. But, in order to fully realize the potential of this system, we need to focus on upgrading the end-to-end systems, including ensuring that the 911 call centers have the necessary communications infrastructure to accept and interpret data generated from the emergency response."
The rail situation continues to affect overall shipping of vehicles from assembly plants to final destination ramps.
Some vehicles are being held in temporary storage facilities at assembly plants waiting for rail cars. By mid-July, most backlogs from storage facilities are expected to clear and the older vehicles should be shipped.
Haulaway carriers contracted by the manufacturers are operating at maximum capacity.
To help the situation, dealers have been asked by the manufacturers to accept vehicles during off-hours.
Please allow an extra two weeks of shipping time before you initiate the tracking of a "late" vehicle.
In early-June, GM Service Parts Operations announced it has significantly lowered the price of many air bags sold as replacement parts.
The move is in response to growing industry-wide safety concerns about the use of lesser-expensive stolen and non-original equipment manufacturer airbags in the repair of collision-damaged vehicles. The prices of approximately 200 replacement air bag part numbers were reduced.
An example was given of the price for a replacement air bag on a 1997 Buick LeSabre. It was reduced more than 45 percent to $625.
Here is a list of the GM Assembly plants along with the cars and trucks that are built at these locations:
ARI Pool Vehicle Inventory
Cyl
Dr
6
4
multiple
Trucks
12013
8
98071
985107
97036
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!