Editor: Rick Nicoletti

July 2, 2012

In This Issue: 

• Time for a Change
• The 2013 Cars

 

Time for a Change

It's time for something new at the Napleton Fleet Group. We've redesigned our website with a new look that will make it easier to navigate. More importantly, we also added more functionality. Customers will find that once they login, they will have access to more information including copies of many documents. For example, clients will be able to view and download .pdf's of the order acknowledgement, factory invoice, Certificate of Origin for specific vehicles. In the future, the redesigned site gives us more flexibility to provide additional information to the customer.

 

Take a few minutes to access our new site and tell us what you think - http://www.napletonfleet.com/

 

The 2013 Cars - More Cars; More Choices

The 2013 model year will offer fleet buyers possibly the widest selection of new cars in the past 10 years. The "C" segment will see the addition of the all-new Dodge Dart and later this year an all-new Nissan Sentra. The Dart and Sentra will join the segment that includes the last year's all-new Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. Your choices for fuel efficient, technologically sophisticated compact cars have never been greater.

 

The popular midsize "D" segment will bring all-new cars to some familiar fleet nameplates. The theme for all these vehicles are similar - more features, more refinement and higher fuel economy.

 

So let's take a brief look at the all-new for 2013 cars in these segments.

 

2013 Dodge Dart

 

Models available:

Dart SE

Dart SXT/Rallye

Dart Limited

Dart R/T

 

Dart Highlights

• Three technologically advanced and efficient engines: 2.0L Tigershark four-cylinder (160 hp), 1.4L Intercooled MultiAir Turbo (160 hp) and 2.4L Tigershark  MultiAir II 4-cylinder
• Unmistakable Dodge Design with Alfa Romeo DNA
• Class Leading Customization - customization: 12 exterior colors, 14 interior color and trim combinations, six wheel choices, 3 engines and 3 transmissions
• Class-exclusive available integrated dual exhaust and 'Racetrack' LED taillamps
• Class-leading technology - including 7-inch reconfigurable Thin Film Transistor (TFT) reconfigurable display and 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen
• Class-leading 60 standard and available Safety & Security Features - including 10 standard airbags and class-exclusive Rear Cross Path Detection
• Mid-size sedan levels of interior roominess with up to 39 highway mpg

 

2013 Nissan Sentra

The all-new 2013 Nisan Sentra will debut later this fall. Although Nissan has not released photos and specs, a quick look on the web should allow you to find out a little something about the 2013 Sentra.

(hint: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/07/2013-nissan-sentra-caught-completely-uncovered/)

 

2013 Chevrolet Malibu

 

Models available:

Malibu Eco

Malibu LS, LT and LTZ

 

Malibu Eco Highlights

• First of the all-new, eighth-generation 2013 Malibu lineup to arrive in dealer showrooms in the 1^st quarter of 2012
• First Chevrolet with fuel-saving eAssist technology, enabling GM-estimated fuel economy of 25 city / 37 highway - for the most fuel-efficient Malibu ever
• Quietest Chevrolet in history, thanks to sound-reducing and sound-absorbing components and aero-optimized exterior
• All new exterior designed to stand out around the world, matched with all-new, dual-cockpit interior that has more room, comfort and premium materials
• All-new Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system enhances customer connectivity like never before 
• All-new ride-and-handling package rivaling high-end sedans and engineered for top safety results around the world

 

Malibu Highlights

• All-new, fuel-efficient and powerful 2.5L four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic that lead Malibu's powertrain lineup
• Expressive exterior design with a wide, athletic stance
• Segment-best aerodynamics close to those of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric car that enhance fuel efficiency and reduce wind noise, including active electronic shutters on select models
• All-new, Chevrolet-signature dual-cockpit interior that is more spacious, features premium materials and is engineered to be the quietest in the midsize segment
• New Chevrolet MyLink connectivity seamlessly integrates online services like Pandora internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio
• European-influenced ride and handling traits
• New safety features and technologies including 10 air bags, ultra-high-strength steel, lane departure warning/forward collision warning and rearview camera system

 

Production of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco began in February; production of the non-Eco Malibu models will begin in June. 

Also, the 2012 Malibu will continue to be built through November 2012.

 

2013 Ford Fusion

Models available:

Fusion S, SE and Titanium

Fusion Hybrid SE and Titanium

Fusion Energi

Fusion Highlights

• New Ford Fusion is the first sedan to offer gasoline, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, each with expected top fuel economy, underscoring Ford's commitment to give customers the power of choice
• With seven must-have technologies, including a Lane Keeping System, adaptive cruise control, active park assist and MyFord Touch, the all-new Ford Fusion shows how Ford is delivering features customers truly want and value
• Customers can choose from Fusion's widest-ever portfolio of fuel-efficient powertrains including EcoBoost, hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines; automatic and manual transmission offerings; and auto start stop technology
• Fusion offers three gasoline engines and two hybrid powerplants. In addition to the standard 2.5L Duratec I-4 engine, there are two new available EcoBoost engines - 1.6L and 2.0L

2013 Nissan Altima

 

Models Available:

Altima

Altima 2.5 S, SV, SL

Altima 3.5 S, SV, SL

 

Altima Highlights

• Targeted best-in-segment 38 mpg highway fuel economy (2.5-liter engine)
• Premium exterior styling with a powerful presence and improved aerodynamics
• Upscale interior rivaling premium luxury sedans, including NASA-inspired "zero-gravity" seats, an Advanced Drive-Assist Display and BOSE Premium Audio System
• An outstanding balance of ride comfort, stability and fun-to-drive demeanor, including projected best-level acceleration
• Standard Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth
• NissanConnectSM and NissanConnectSM Navigation with a suite of Bluetooth phone connectivity features, including hands-free text message integration, Pandora playback, real-time Google POI search and more
• Next-generation Safety Shield Technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) systems
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with Easy Fill Tire Alert

 

Fleeting Tidbits

We have 2012 Ram Cargo Vans in stock. Call Bob Barr at 630.455.2911 for complete information.

 

The all-new 2013 Dodge Dart and the Chrysler 300 Luxury Series Sedan have been named to Ward's 10 Best Interior for 2012.

 

We have updated our 2013 MY Start of Production page. Here you can find the date orders may be placed for a given model and when the Job #1 date is for that model.

 

We're all familiar with the tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that have been mandatory since September 2007. The system notifies drivers when tire pressure is low. Low tire pressure can reduce fuel economy and can lead to poor handling. Nissan has taken the TPMS to a new level on the 2013 Nissan Altima. No longer will you need a tire pressure gauge to check your tires. Simply begin filling your tire with air and when the proper inflation is reached, the Altima's horn beeps!

 

In an effort to boost fuel economy, automakers have cut the weight of vehicles by eliminating spare tires -- even as their customers have been adding spare tires of their own. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average adult male is 28.4 pounds heavier since 1960, while the average female is up 24.5 pounds. Those are about the same weights as a tire for a Ford Mustang (male) and Chrysler minivan (female). The EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Mich., estimates that the theoretical couple's 53 extra pounds might cut vehicle fuel economy by as much as 1 percent, depending on the vehicle, on that drive to pick up a burger and fries. At a nationwide average price of $3.50 per gallon, that's about $603 million in additional fuel costs just in the last year.  Source: Automotive News 

 

Taillights

 

We're all familiar with barn finds, but what happens when cars don't have barns to protect them? The results look like Peter Lippmann's photographic series, Paradise Parking, in which four-wheeled classics are shown half digested by Mother Nature.

Lippmann's project took two years to put together and a book of the series will be issued in October. 

 

For a look at more of his photos, go to the following link -http://www.peterlippmann.com/lippmann3/personal_work/paradise_parking/paradiseparking_08_peterlippmann.html

 

Napleton Fleet Group   1 E. Oak Hill Drive   Suite 100   Westmont, IL 60559

630.530.0250
www.napletonfleet.com