jpd80 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Holden says it is in the box seat to supply up to 70,000 police cars a year to the United States. Link If it was such a slam dunk, why are they waiting until the Crown Victoria retires? Or is this more about GM and Holden convincing themselves that pursuing this market is worthwhile? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97svtgoin05gt Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 Additionally, as we all now know, I don't think Ford is going to just release this business to the competition. We've seen the press release that Ford intends on building this new Interceptor. Keep your pants on Holden, I wouldn't consider this just done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 GM probably had a ton of police officers participate in a poll, which said "would you even remotely consider maaaaybe test driving a new Chevy Caprice police car....pretty please?" Then they got 70,000 officers to say "well, ok," and that's where the data came from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7Mary3 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 (edited) If true, I think it is proof that the majority of U.S. police departments still prefer RWD. Let's face it, the new Ford interceptor, whatever it is, is probably going to be FWD. If so, I don't think it will do any better than the Impala currently does sales-wise. The Charger was given a fair shake, too bad the visability and quality were not up to par. And, for any of you that think 'Ford' on the grille automatically means police departments will foam all over it, remember that the Crown Vic. was NEVER the top selling squad when GM and Chrysler were building RWD police cars. The Crown Vic. was winner by default. It was usually 3rd. overall behind the Caprice, Fury, and Diplomat in the M.S.P., L.A.S.D., and C.H.P. tests. In all fairness, Ford did a lot to improve the Crown Vic. Police Interceptor from 2000 on, and it might have been a different story if those improvements were made earlier. But they weren't. Edited December 4, 2009 by 7Mary3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Without wishing bad luck on the FWD Police Interceptor, it wouldn't be the first time Ford has made a mistake and then hurriedly called for a replacement...... It's comforting to know that Ford has GM covered if they feel a RWD is needed. I'm hoping that Dearborn gives FoA the nod to develop a Fairlane for Chinese export, with that business case being fairly solid, it doesn't matter if FNA never calls for a RWD PI......... That would make good tactical sense without impacting on North America's books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggee72 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I can't see ford making the FWD mistake again..they HAD to have learned from the impala by now. Either way, the ford and GM will both be Aussie vehicles and parts will still be impossible to get and it will still be a problem. If you can't even replace the differential on the police vehicles without spending thousands..the cars won't be practical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfeg Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 If it was such a slam dunk, why are they waiting until the Crown Victoria retires?Or is this more about GM and Holden convincing themselves that pursuing this market is worthwhile? I think the timing issue is due to several things. Even though it is supposedly a "strictly police" model, it must go through the full testing for EPA compliance. Also, compliance testing must be done for safety standards. For a niche model, in the interest of cost saving, they are probably stretching this out. Another issue could be impending fuel economy standards. Contrary to urban myth, vehicles sold to governmental units DO contribute to a manufacturer's CAFE. And holding off until other models improve economy enough to make room for the Caprice might be necessary. Too bad they cannot be considered for the "German Exemption". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 I think the timing issue is due to several things. Even though it is supposedly a "strictly police" model, it must go through the full testing for EPA compliance. Also, compliance testing must be done for safety standards. For a niche model, in the interest of cost saving, they are probably stretching this out.Another issue could be impending fuel economy standards. Contrary to urban myth, vehicles sold to governmental units DO contribute to a manufacturer's CAFE. And holding off until other models improve economy enough to make room for the Caprice might be necessary. Too bad they cannot be considered for the "German Exemption". Actually, the Caprice police car plan predates the Pontiac G8 proposal, yes it's that old. GM has been reviewing this business plan for the past few years and has failed to commit. This is all about securing a second shift at Holden's Adelaide plant and less to do with profit. How do Americans feel about having their police buying imported vehicles, what message does that send? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 How do Americans feel about having their police buying imported vehicles, what message does that send? They don't mind now with the Canadian Impala, Charger, and Crown Victoria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 They don't mind now with the Canadian Impala, Charger, and Crown Victoria. Yes, but that's still North America and seen as supporting the region. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Yes, but that's still North America and seen as supporting the region. Eh, to a point. Most Americans view Australia pretty favorably too though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Eh, to a point. Most Americans view Australia pretty favorably too though. Yes, and on that point I'd like to see holden successful but the currency exchange rate is close to parity and that weighs heavily over their head. And yes, if Ford decided in a flash they wanted a Fairlane instead, I'd cheer that on but know that the whole thing is purely job creation down here. would rather see Aussie Fairlanes for China and FNA's interceptor successful. That would give employment in the right places..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I can't see ford making the FWD mistake again..they HAD to have learned from the impala by now. Either way, the ford and GM will both be Aussie vehicles and parts will still be impossible to get and it will still be a problem. If you can't even replace the differential on the police vehicles without spending thousands..the cars won't be practical. Give Ford some credit here for "some" smarts about police vehicle market. I doubt if Ford is putting in a half ass attempt at replacing the Crown Vic. One could argue that Ford knows the police vehicle market better than anyone and will come up with very competitive replacement and cover all bases hopefully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordBuyer Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 Eh, to a point. Most Americans view Australia pretty favorably too though. If I were younger, I probably would be thinking about possibilities of moving there or somewhere that is better than here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 4, 2009 Author Share Posted December 4, 2009 Give Ford some credit here for "some" smarts about police vehicle market. I doubt if Ford is putting in a half ass attempt at replacing the Crown Vic. One could argue that Ford knows the police vehicle market better than anyone and will come up with very competitive replacement and cover all bases hopefully. Agree, I see Holden having a gutsy attempt but feel when it comes to the crunch, Ford will get the gig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggee72 Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 If I were younger, I probably would be thinking about possibilities of moving there or somewhere that is better than here. I doubt there is anywhere better than the US. Everyone has their own problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted December 4, 2009 Share Posted December 4, 2009 I have a song for this... One of my favs when someone is smokin' something..Or what I would tell my little inner city friends who were bused into my school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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