On July 19, 1999, Ford
will begin production in the United States of the Focus
at the Wayne, Michigan assembly plant.
It will be offered in three models: 3-door, 4-dr. sedan and wagon. The 3-door will be called the ZX3. It comes equipped with the 2.0L Zetec 16-valve 4-cylinder engine that develops 130 horsepower at 5500 RPM and 130 ft. lb. of torque at 4250 RPM. This same engine is offered as standard in the ZTS sedan.
The ZTS sedan has unique 15" aluminum wheels, ABS brakes, unique seats with lumbar support, leather wrapped steering wheel, power windows, power mirrors, power locks, remote keyless entry, tilt & telescoping steering, single disc CD player and woodgrain accents.
The ZX3 has the same wheels plus fog lamps, sport seats, metallic accents on the instrument panel and door trim. It also includes the single CD player and leather wrapped steering wheel. It will not go into production until October 4, 1999.
The LX, and SE sedan, along with the SE Wagon will come with the 2.0 L SPI (split-port induction) 4-cylinder engine that develops 107 horsepower at 5000 RPM. The SE Wagon includes a new 4-speed automatic transaxle as standard equipment.
An AM/FM cassette is standard on ZX3, LX and SE models. Additional options include side impact airbags, daytime running lights (fleet only) and leather seating is optional on the ZTS.
The SE Sport Group will include the 2.0 Zetec engine, fog lamps spoiler and tachometer. The SE Comfort Group includes tilt and telescoping steering wheel and speed control.
Last November, the Ford Focus won the "European Car of the Year" award for the most outstanding new car sold in the European market.
The Ford Focus is the only car among the major competitors with a fully independent rear suspension system, and it has the stiffest, lightest body structure in its class. These two factors help give the Ford Focus an edge on driving dynamics. The lightweight structure also plays a part in providing class-leading fuel economy which is 10 per cent better than the best of competition.
Ford Focus has a longer wheelbase than the competition, combined together with a high roofline, provides the most spacious interior package available without increasing the car's footprint. Ford also expects the new Ford Focus will have the lowest ownership costs in its class, six percent better than the closest competitor.
For more information, contact your ARI Representative
2000 FORD FOCUS SEDAN | |
| Overall Length | 174.8 in. |
| Overall Width | 66.9 in. |
| Wheelbase | 103.0 in. |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.2 gal. |
| Luggage Capacity | 12.9 cu. ft. |
| Curb Weight | N/A |
Effective June 14, 1999, ARI will stop printing and mailing PURCHASING NEWS. Instead, ARI customers can choose to receive this valuable news in the following ways:
* First, in the Fleet Library of the www.arifleet.com site. This site also includes all back issues of Purchasing News as well, providing you with a ready reference tool whenever you need manufacturer, model and production information. Just enter your E-mail address to enter the ARI Fleet Library. Then, choose Purchasing News from the menu.
* Second, via ARI Push, ARI's E-mail broadcast of industry news. If you'd like to be added to the distribution list, please call Lisa Cooper at 856-778-1500, Ext. 2133.
* Third, via fax, please call Lisa Cooper to add your name to our fax distribution list.
We look forward to keeping you up-to-date with Purchasing News!
Ford, the only truck brand to offer a full line of four-door pickup trucks, announced on May 6, 1999, plans to increase the production mix of the F-Series SuperCab four-door and the Ranger four-door SuperCab as consumer demand for the versatility of more doors increases.
Ford also revealed plans to call its all-new four-door, full-size pickup the F-150 SuperCrew. The innovative new truck, which will be the first of its kind when it goes on sale next year, was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in January.
"Pickup truck customers are clearly signaling what they want," said Al Giombetti, Ford Division truck group brand manager. "Our four-door SuperCabs have gone from an industry innovation to a customer expectation."
Similarly, Ford is increasing the mix of Ranger four-door SuperCabs from 30 percent to 60 percent of production. The fourth door on a Ranger SuperCab is a $695 option.
"The compact pickup market is clearly going four doors, following the F-Series lead," said Al Giombetti, Ford Division truck group brand manager. "The consumer preference is reflected in Ford Ranger sales, which rose 26 percent in April, making it the fourth best-selling vehicle in the U.S. this year."
In March, DaimlerChrysler unveiled, in Washington DC, the first driveable zero-emission, fuel cell car in the United States that demonstrates a 40 percent increase in fuel cell power and up to three times the range of a battery-powered vehicle.
NECAR 4 (New Electric Car), uses fuel cell technology to generate electricity and water vapor. NECAR 4, based on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class compact car, reaches top speeds of 90 mph (compared to a previous top speed of 68 mph in its technological predecessor NECAR 2) and can travel nearly 280 miles before refueling.
DaimlerChrysler plans to have fuel cell vehicles in limited production by 2004. The company will invest 1.4 billion on fuel cell technology by the time these vehicles come to market.
| DAIMLERCHRYSLER | ||
| Vehicle Line | Order 2000 |
Plant Start |
| Sebring/Convertible | NOW |
7/5/99 |
| Breeze/Cirrus/Stratus | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Neon - 2 Dr. | NOW |
7/5/99 |
| Neon 4 Dr. | NOW |
7/26/99 |
| Concorde/Intrepid/LHS/300M | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Voyager/Caravan/Grand Voyager/Grand Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Grand Cherokee | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Durango | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Wrangler | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Cherokee | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| BR 1500 Dodge Ram Conventional Cab / Dakota | NOW |
6/23/99 |
| BR 2500 / 3500 Dodge Ram Conventional Cab / Cab and Chassis | NOW |
8/2/99 |
| BE Dodge Ram / Club Cabs /Quad Cabs | NOW |
8/2/99 |
| Dodge Ram Vans/Wagons | NOW |
8/2/99 |
| FORD | ||
| Vehicle Line | Order 2000 | Plant Start |
| Lincoln LS | NOW |
4/19/99 |
| Focus | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Escort/Tracer | N/A |
N/A |
| Town Car | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Continental | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Navigator | 6/21/99 |
8/15/99 |
| Super Duty F-Series | 6/21/99 |
8/16/99 |
| Explorer | 6/7/99 |
8/9/99 |
| Cougar | 6/7/99 |
8/9/99 |
| Ranger | 6/7/99 |
8/2/99 |
| Crown Vic | 6/7/99 |
8/9/99 |
| Mustang | 6/7/99 |
8/2/99 |
| Windstar Wagon/Van | 6/7/99 |
8/3/99 |
| F-Series Under 8500 # | 6/7/99 |
8/2/99 |
| Econoline | 6/14/99 |
8/16/99 |
| Expedition | 6/15/99 |
8/15/99 |
| Contour/Mystique | 6/22/99 |
8/23/99 |
| Taurus/Sable* | 7/5/99 |
9/13/99 |
| Escort ZX2/Villager* | 6/22/99 |
8/30/99 |
| Excursion | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Grand Marquis | 6/7/99 |
8/9/99 |
| Mountaineer | 6/7/99 |
8/9/99 |
| * These models can still be ordered as 1999 models intil June 11, 1999 | ||
| GENERAL MOTORS CARS | ||
| Vehicle Line | Order 2000 | Plant Start |
| Cavalier/Sunfire | NOW |
6/11/99 |
| Lumina | NOW |
7/22/99 |
| LeSabre | NOW |
4/22/99 |
| Metro/Tracker | NOW |
7/26/99 |
| Camaro/Firebird | NOW |
6/23/99 |
| Venture/Silhouette/Montana | NOW |
7/1/99 |
| Malibu | NOW |
7/26/99 |
| Park Avenue | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Bonneville | NOW |
8/2/99 |
| Regal/Century | NOW |
7/22/99 |
| Grand Prix/Intrigue | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Alero/Grand Am/Prizm | NOW |
7/29/99 |
| Monte Carlo | NOW |
6/21/99 |
| Impala 1 | NOW |
3/22/99 |
| All Cadillacs | NOW |
7/26/99 |
| (1) Advance allocation from GM is required for this model | ||
| GENERAL MOTORS TRUCKS | ||
| Vehicle Line | Order 2000 | Plant Start |
| Silverado/Sierra | NOW |
6/21/99 |
| C/K 25/3500/Crew/ 3500 HD | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Astro/Safari | NOW |
7/19/99 |
| Express/Savana | NOW |
6/18/99 |
| Tahoe 4-door/Yukon | NOW |
7/22/99 |
| Denali/Escalade | NOW |
7/22/99 |
| Suburban/Yukon | 9/6/99 |
11/22/99 |
| S10/Sonoma | 6/14/99 |
8/16/99 |
| Blazer/Jimmy/Envoy | 6/21/99 |
8/23/99 |
The estimated dates noted above are based upon current information from the manufacturers. They are subject to change without notice. Some models are produced at more than one plant. When production occurs at more than one plant, the first plant start-date is shown. Column 1 indicates the date 2000 models can be ordered. Column 2 is for information only, showing the date 2000 model vehicles are expected to start production. Dates in column 2 can vary by assembly plant and are subject to change by the manufacturer. Call your ARI Representative for more information. Detach and save this page for future reference. | ||
The current Teamster's contract with the trucking companies that haul cars and trucks will expire on May 31, 1999. The drivers voted to authorize a strike by the union, allowing one of three things to happen on June 1, 1999.
The contract may be extended until this fall, when the national contract with the autoworkers is due to expire at midnight on September 14, 1999. This would provide additional leverage for the Teamsters, as this date would be closer to the new model start-up dates.
The Teamsters may choose only one Car-transport Company and allow the other companies to continue to haul vehicles. The other alternative is to negotiate a new contract before the deadline.
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Association) has received Y2K readiness letters/information from the following auto manufacturers: DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, Mazda, VW.
To access this information on the internet to:
http:// www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/whatis/y2k/manufacturer/index.html.
ARI Pool Vehicle Inventory | |||||||
Cars | |||||||
| Yr. | Make | Cyl |
Model | Dr |
Location | Invoice |
Ref # |
| 99 | Dodge | 6 | Intrepid | 4 | Call Your ARI Representative for Locations | $18,593 | multiple |
| 99 | Ford | 6 | Taurus SE | 4 | Call Your ARI Representative for Locations | $16,610 | multiple |
| 99 | Pontiac | 6 | Grand Prix SE | 4 | Call Your ARI Representative for Locations | $18,057 | multiple |
Trucks | |||||||
| Yr. | Make | Cyl |
Model | Location | Invoice |
Ref # | |
| 99 | Chevy | 6 | Blazer 4x2 2 Dr | Pawcatuck, CT | $16,891 | 29144 | |
| 98 | Chevy | 8 | CK 3500 Chassis Cab | Farmington, NM | $25,102 | 00104 | |
| 99 | Chevy | 6 | G 1500 Express Cargo Van | Superior, WI | $17,872 | 84005 | |
| 99 | Chevy | 8 | G30 Cargo Van | Columbus, OH | $19,480 | 05723 | |
| 99 | Dodge | 6 | Caravan FWD | Milwaukee, WI | $25,102 | 99013 | |
99 |
Dodge |
8 |
RAM 1500 4x2 Quad Cab | Buford, GA | $20,388 | 09272 | |
99 |
Dodge |
8 |
RAM 1500 4x4 Reg. Cab | Alexandria, VA | $21,128 | 50967 | |
99 |
Dodge |
8 |
RAM 12 Passenger Wagon | Downey, CA | $20,947 | 199901 | |
| 99 | Ford | 6 | Explorer XLT 4x4 4 Dr. | St. Louis, MO | $28,053 | 99062 | |
| 99 | Ford | 6 | E150 Cargo Van | Lynnwood, WA | $16,873 | 29681 | |
| 99 | Ford | 8 | F350 Chassis Cab | Boyne City, MI | $23,753 | 29351 | |
| 99 | Ford | 8 | F250 Supercab 4x2 | Riverdale, CA | $21,224 | 12037 | |
| 99 | Ford | 8 | F350 Crew Cab | Maple Shade, NJ | $26,541 | 02273 | |
| 99 | Ford | 8 | F450 4x2 Crew Cab & Chassis | Louisville, KY | $26,416 | 03588 | |
99 |
Ford |
6 |
Windstar LX Passenger Van | Rockland, MA | $21,458 | 04635 | |
| 99 | GMC | 8 | G30 15 Passenger Van | Menlo Park, CA | $25,186 | 02167 | |
| 99 | GMC | 6 | Safari Cargo Van | Davis, CA | $18,871 | 00297 | |
When a "Stock Purchase" is desired,
you may consider using a vehicle from the ARI "Pool" to save money
and time. | |||||||
