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Posted on 02/16/2012 7:14:43 PM PST by Impala64ssa
With the Ford Crown Victoria retired after over 30 years of dutiful service, the market for police vehicles is wide open. GM was hoping to capitalize with an Australian-built rear-wheel drive sedan called the Chevy Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle, which is in high demand but short supply around the country.
Some police departments are up in arms, waiting over a year for delivery of their Caprice PPV’s reports the duPont registry. The problem stems from shipping and dealership delays, and police departments aren’t happy.
Of the five Florida police departments that ordered Caprice PPV’s for testing, only two, Tampa and Largo, have received their cars. The Tampa department got their Caprices after 10 months; it took GM almost 13 months to deliver cars to the Largo department. Police chiefs are understandably worried about GM’s ability to deliver the cars in a timely fashion, when Dodge is often able to deliver their Charger police cars in two to three months.
Many departments are slashing budgets for fuel and vehicles, and with new offerings from all three American automakers, police departments have unprecedented choice in outfitting their fleets. GM could be shooting itself in the foot, having reportedly made last-minute design changes that kept suppliers from making parts until the last minute.
But word on the street is that the Caprice PPV, with its 6.0 liter V8, is the quickest and fastest of the current cop car offerings, and fairly fuel efficient as well. Is it good enough to overcome GM’s missteps with the initial rollout, though?
From what I understand, many are reserving judgment until they get their hands on one, or at least until enough reports are out on how the new offerings from Ford and GM will perform and how well they hold up.
I am surprised. There are so many police Tahoe’s out there that I can’t imagine GM shipping cars from Australia.
Years ago, GM put together a “police special” Tahoe with a big V8 and something like a 4.56 rear-end. Super fast acceleration and heavy duty carrying capacity, but really bad fuel consumption.
What? The Fed hasen’t mandated a rule that they have to use the Chevy Volt?
Yes, I believe the Border Patrol in the SW uses Tahoes, they do suck up gas, but they hold up very well.
That’s almost as fugly as the old fat-arsed Caprice of the 90’s. Too bad Ford discontinued the Crown Vic. Nice to see the new, nimble Gubermint Motors snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
I’d like to have one of those Dodges. So long as it wasn’t a K-9 unit. Never would be able to get the smell out.
The Saudis love the Caprice also. I didn’t even know they were still making that model until I went to Saudi Arabia. They’re all over the place.
The pork, or the canine? :^)
Nah...
One of my buds spoke to a GM-er he knows. The GMer said ya things changed the 1st year after the bailout but they are going back to their old ways.
Besides the Ford Police Explorer and Taurus should be here soon if not already here....
Nah...
One of my buds spoke to a GM-er he knows. The GMer said ya things changed the 1st year after the bailout but they are going back to their old ways.
Besides the Ford Police Explorer and Taurus should be here soon if not already here....
The gas mileage is great, though!
ps
I drive an Expedition. I’ve driven the Explorer...not so hot....small and effete. The Expedition has guts and handling and room, over-the-top. A real tough horse.
That was the old Taurus. The new Taurus is pretty much the older Ford 500 with several improvements.
The new Taurus is a very nice full sized luxury sedan at a very reasonable price.
“The Saudis love the Caprice also. I didn’t even know they were still making that model until I went to Saudi Arabia. They’re all over the place.”
The pre-soap bar Caprice in good shape is a hard to find and pretty expensive, and the two-door version is surprisingly rare, period. Many were sold in the Middle East new and used/restored models were even sent there.
It’s my understanding that US cars are popular in the Middle East is that we still have the best automotive air conditioners in the world.
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