Ford Taurus and Explorer Police Interceptor production begins

Ford has begun producing the company's two new Police Interceptor models. According to Ward's Auto, both the Taurus and Explorer-based cruisers are rolling off of the line at the automaker's Chicago Assembly Plant. All told, the sedan variant has accounted for around 60 per cent of orders so far. Currently, the law enforcement market is Ford's to lose: Dearborn has controlled up to 70 per cent of police car sales in the U.S. with its now defunct Crown Victoria in the past, but General Motors has made it clear it wants a larger slice of that pie.

GM has given law enforcement agencies an alternative to the two Interceptors from Ford with its Caprice PPV and Tahoe law enforcement SUV. Even so, Ford remains confident it will stay on top of the police market. The company says that early orders indicate it will remain the segment leader.

With a turbocharged, direct-injection 3.5-litre V6 engine in place of the old 4.6-litre V8 found in the Crown Victoria, Ford also says its new Interceptor models should be capable of returning 20 per cent better fuel economy – an attribute that should salve relationships somewhat with fleet orderers who were fond of the anvil-like reliability and simplicity of the old Crown Vic.

News Source: Ward's Auto

Image Credit: Ford