Lee Auto Malls

777 Center Street, Auburn

207-784-5441
John A. Isaacson

Chief Executive Officer

NISSAN -“The most exciting news from Nissan is that they have entered the full-size truck market with the new Titan, and the full-size SUV market with the new Pathfinder Armada. We have seen a high level of customer interest in these new models and they are selling briskly. The fully redesigned Nissan Quest and Maxima are also selling well. The Murano cross over vehicle continues to attract people to Nissan that had not considered buying one in the past. Our new Nissan sales were up 25% in 2003 based largely upon Nissan’s exciting new products.”

CHRYSLER – The new Pacifica, which is a crossover vehicle (a cross between and a station wagon and an SUV) is Chrysler’s first entry into this hot market segment. It is selling well as is the Chrysler Crossfire which is a limited production 2 seat sports coupe that is made in Europe. A convertible version will be available this year as well. The very popular PT Cruiser will be available as a convertible this summer. The new 300 Series Chrysler sedans will be out in a few months. This will be the first time that Chrysler offered All-Wheel-Drive on a large family sedan. They will be available with Chrysler’s Hemi V-8 as well.

DODGE – The new larger Dodge Durango came out last month and is off to a very strong start. It is much roomier than previous Durango’s and is available with a Hemi V-8. The Dodge Magnum sedans will be out this spring. Like the Chrysler 300 it will be available with All-Wheel-Drive and Hemi power.

JEEP – A new larger Wrangler is coming out soon as well as a bigger version of the very popular Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Portland Volvo

Route One, Scarborough

800-660-3011

www.portlandvolvo.com
Wes Vickers

Sales Manager

“Our new S40 will be available March 1 – it’s a 2004 – and like every other Volvo, raises the bar for safety. It comes with the new Volvo Intelligent Vehicle Architecture (VIVA). Although it’s compact, it affords the same protection as a large car because of the variety of metals used. Initially available in a sedan, by fall it will also be available as a wagon. VIVA uses four types of steel, each with a different task, so that in the event of a collision, the closer the collision force gets to the passenger compartment, the less the material used will deform. Tests show the passenger compartment retains intact on most collisions.

“Also hot is is the XC90, our sport utility vehicle. I’m passionate about selling Volvos, and the reason is safety. This is a company that sticks by its founding principles. About 10 years ago, we told the owners we needed an SUV, and their answer was ‘You won’t get one until get can build a safe one.’ They took a professional driver who was told to roll it over; he couldn’t. The problem with most SUV’s is they are top-heavy and prone to a rollover. . . the XC90 is a vehicle that will save people’s lives.”

Rowe Ford – Auburn

699-707 Center Street

784-2321, 800-339-7693
Richard Bateman

General Manager

“We’ve got the Ford GT coming out – it’s 500-plus horsepower and retails in the $150,000-$160,000 range – basically it’s the American version of the Ferrari. We’ve got an all new F150 – the best selling truck in the world – made better, larger, quieter with more power. It’s the only truck made with a full box-steel frame. This truck has been hot from the get-go. You can get it with a floor console – stick shift or automatic. Ford’s built this from the ground up; the tailgate now has an ‘assistant’ to help you lift it with one finger. The bed is 2 inches deeper. It comes with either an extended or regular cab; the crew cab comes with four full size doors. It’s got sporty flare sides.

“Ford also has the Freestar mini-van replacing the Windstar. It has a full, flat rear seat providing more utility space for cargo. It has all the safety aspects of the Windstar and a 5-star rating.

“There’s an all-new Mustang, the first new Mustang in more than 20 years with a retro, 1969 appearance. That will be out in September. They’re also coming out with the Ford 500, a passenger sedan between the Taurus and the Crown Victoria, voted the “Car of the Year.”

“On the Hyundai said, it’s the fastest growing franchise in automotive history. They’re coming out with a new minivan and a small SUV – smaller than the Santa Fe – later this calendar year.

“The biggest news is in the VW and Mazda lines. The RX8 is a sports car with a rotary engine; it’s a rocket!”

Scott Stubinski

VW/Mazda sales manager

“The new Mazda 3 is going to make inroads in the car category. it replaces the Protege and PR5, has two different four cylinder motors, is bigger, longer, wider and handles like a European car with the economy of a Japanese car. We’ve had a lot of good feedback on it so far.

“The VW R32 is an AWD Golf coming out in mid-February, and we really like the AWD, 4-cylinder Passat wagon. A lot of people are looking for an SUV, and the Touraeg is brand new, the first SUV from VW. It’s an off-roader and on-roader with a sedan suspension so it rides well. By mid-year, we should see the Mazda 6 wagon and hatchback.”

Emerson Auto Park

Route 4, Center Street,

784-3503, 1-800-696-0766
Jock Emerson

General Sales Manager

“We have more exciting products now than at any other time in GM history – eight new products just landing now or coming soon.

“From the Chevrolet SSR (a retro crossover pick up with a retractable roof) to the Pontiac GTO with rear drive, or the sports coupe V8 – they’re absolutely the best quality and have received the highest score GM has ever had.

“There’s been a shift toward the AWD sport wagon because of the versatility and a shift toward the SUV/mini van hybrids – the Buick Rendezvous, Pontiac Aztec or Chevy Equinox – competing head to head with the Jeep Liberty and the Ford Escape for a mid-sized SUV.

“The Chevy Aveo is a sub-compact that can reach close to 40 miles per gallon; it’s a great commuter car. The Chevy Silverado is the best selling truck in Maine – the number 1 selling model. It comes with four doors and can carry a whole family, it can plow, and there’s plenty of cargo space.

“The Silverado and Suburban combine to create the Avalanche, a six passenger pickup that converts the rear seat to cargo room.”

Jim Emerson

Owner

“The double-cab Tundra is our new entry into the pickup truck market; it’s bigger than the Chevy and Ford half-tons it compares to, has 250 horsepower engine and is longer and wider than the truck it replaces. There are four doors into the cab; it’s a nice setup.

“Toyota is opening a new truck plant in 2007; they now have 5% of the truck market, but are looking to build that to 10-15%. We’ve always been noted for being smaller than our competitors, but now we’re larger. 2007 will also see commercial and diesel applications.

“Our Prius is a hybrid – half electric and half internal combustion. As soon as we get one allocated to us, it’s sold. In 2004, this is being well received by the public. It has a push-button in the dash, not a traditional key, and you use an ID card that lets the car know it’s you. Plus, you never need to change the battery; it’s warranteed for the lifetime of the car. When you’re on the road, the internal combustion engine charges the battery using kinetic energy from the brakes to the battery. Right now we have 4-5 on the waiting list. The cost is $21,000 to $26,000, depending upon the accessories. You’re looking at 50 mpg on the turnpike and 60 in-town. This is considered an ultra-low-emission vehicle and is quite a step forward.

“Toyota has the best selling passenger car in the country – the Camry; it passed Ford’s #1 seller this year. Customers are very loyal to the product. In 2003, we sold 700 new Toyotas; our previous best year was in 2000 when we sold 650.”