The St. Thomas plant in Ontario will soon stop producing the most recognized law enforcement vehicle in Canada and the US, the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI).
Available to consumers until 2008, the Crown Vic has always been the vehicle of choice of police departments, with 70% of municipalities opting for this model rather than those offered by Chevrolet and Dodge.
Though it will be missed by many a police officer, the changing auto industry, constantly rising gas prices and new fuel consumption standards required of manufacturers have gotten the better of the Crown Victoria.
Ford will be replacing it with the Taurus and Explorer, who will be fighting the Chevrolet Caprice and Dodge Charger for supremacy.
In theory, the replacement models will offer police officers several advantages, but some, such as the chief of the North Charleston, South Carolina, police department John Zumalt, by far prefer the outgoing model. Saying the Taurus and Explorer are “too small,” he ordered 40 of the last CVPIs and showed interest in the products of Ford’s two rivals.
Though Zumalt will miss the Crown Vic, there was a time when an issue with the gas tank, causing it to spring a leak and catch fire when the car was hit from behind, caused the deaths of a few officers. Despite the resulting lawsuits, Ford dealt with the crisis and made sure the Crown Vic could live out its days honourably.
Rest in peace.
About the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Source: Detroit Free Press
Available to consumers until 2008, the Crown Vic has always been the vehicle of choice of police departments, with 70% of municipalities opting for this model rather than those offered by Chevrolet and Dodge.
 |
| 2000 Ford Crown Victoria (Photo: Ford) |
Though it will be missed by many a police officer, the changing auto industry, constantly rising gas prices and new fuel consumption standards required of manufacturers have gotten the better of the Crown Victoria.
Ford will be replacing it with the Taurus and Explorer, who will be fighting the Chevrolet Caprice and Dodge Charger for supremacy.
In theory, the replacement models will offer police officers several advantages, but some, such as the chief of the North Charleston, South Carolina, police department John Zumalt, by far prefer the outgoing model. Saying the Taurus and Explorer are “too small,” he ordered 40 of the last CVPIs and showed interest in the products of Ford’s two rivals.
Though Zumalt will miss the Crown Vic, there was a time when an issue with the gas tank, causing it to spring a leak and catch fire when the car was hit from behind, caused the deaths of a few officers. Despite the resulting lawsuits, Ford dealt with the crisis and made sure the Crown Vic could live out its days honourably.
Rest in peace.
About the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
- 4.6-litre V8, five-speed autobox
- Shared a platform with Mercury Grand Marquis, Mercury Marauder, Lincoln Town Car
- Three generations: 1978-1991 (LTD Crown Victoria), 1992-1997 and 1997-2011
Source: Detroit Free Press