– The Toyota Camry SE gets a new 3.3-liter V-6 engine for 2004 with 225 horsepower, 15 more than the 3-liter on 2003 models. Base price on the SE increases by $50, to $23,315. The 3-liter V-6 remains optional on other models, whose base prices are unchanged. The LE starts at $19,045 and the XLE at $22,295 with the standard 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. Prices do not include the $485 destination charge. The 2004 Camry goes on sale mid-August.
– A Chrysler executive says the automaker will likely offer a sales incentive on the Dodge Durango when the new-for-2004 sport-utility vehicle goes on sale this year. But it also is likely the incentive would be a loyalty coupon limited to current Durango owners, insiders say. A similar loyalty coupon was offered to Chrysler owners when the Pacifica went on sale in the spring. “Should a brand new product that’s launched in the market have a $3,000 incentive on it? I don’t think that’s healthy long-term. I’d hope every new product launched can be launched without substantial incentives,” says Joe Eberhardt, Chrysler Group executive vice president of global sales, marketing and service. “Having said that, though, I’m also not sure whether you can go from a $5,000 to $6,000 incentive to zero overnight. The answer is probably somewhere in between.”
