Wednesday, 31 October 2007
“Venerable” Ford Crown Victoria headed out of production, at least on the retail side
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Ward’s Auto is reporting that the Ford Crown Victoria, a full-size rear wheel drive sedan in production for decades, will be discontinued after the 2008 model year due to slumping customer demand. Since the year 2000 retails sales of the Crown Vic have declined at an astonishing rate, dropping almost 90 percent.
The good new for Crown Victoria fans, or at least those that enjoy being escorted by them, is that Ford will continue to build a fleet car version available to police departments and taxi operators. The mechanically similar Mercury Grand Marquis will remain available to retail customers, however.
Ford used to boast a firm grip on the police fleet industry, but more and more departments are switching to Chevrolet Impala and Dodge Charger models. Some taxi fleets are shifting away from V8-powered sedans, the best example being New York City. By 2012, all 2,500 Crown Victorias there will be replaced by hybrid electric cars and SUVs.
The market for full-size sedans is also changing thanks to the efforts of competing automakers. For example, the 2008 Honda Accord is now a large car, rendering dated vehicles such as the Crown Victoria obsolete.
Source: Ward’s Auto
Image: Ford media
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