An article posted in Friday's
Detroit News reports that
Ford officials told police officials from across the nation that the Crown Victoria--which many police departments use--will no longer be available after 2011. Police officials also told the paper that
Ford plans to continue building new vehicles for police use, and the most likely choice is the new Taurus.
Crown Victorias haven't been available to consumers since 2007, but the car makes up about 85 percent of the 75,000 or so police cars sold each year in the U.S., according to the article. Ever since General Motors stopped making the
Chevrolet Caprice in 1996, Crown Vics have dominated the market, even after GM re-entered the cop-car market with the Impala.
Police like the Crown Vic's spacious interior, since officers need to carry a lot of gear. Same goes for the column shifter, which frees up space between the driver's seat and passenger seat. The car's body-on-frame construction makes it sturdy, and it also makes it easy--and thus, cheap--to repair. Also, many pieces of aftermarket police equipment are designed to fit in the Crown Vic, says the article.
Rear-wheel drive is another Crown Victoria advantage, according to the
Detroit News, mainly because it offers better handling in dry conditions, better traction while accelerating, and a more-even weight distribution.
Ford faces competition from
Dodge's Charger and
Chevrolet's Impala, so keeping a stake in the market is important for the company. Other than the Taurus, it's hard to envision a product in the company's current lineup that could replace the Crown Vic. One possibility is that
Ford could reopen its contract with the Canadian Auto Workers who build the Crown Vic. If that happens, production might continue for one more year, to 2012. Don't fear officers, there is hope yet.