If you’re wondering why you haven’t seen many precincts utilizing the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, it’s because there aren’t many around. It’s not for lack of demand, however, but rather due to logistical delays on GM’s side of things. One major factor is that the Australian-built police cars are taking longer to arrive from overseas than expected. And when they actually do get here, the pace by which Chevy dealers have been outfitting the vehicles has been less than optimal. Both issues have a lot to do with why GM was only able to move 92 copies of the Caprice last month.
As a result, some dealerships had to wait a full ten months for a new Caprice. Chrysler, on the other hand, can deliver its purpose-built Dodge Charger police vehicles in two-to-three months time. GM has recognized these issues, and is in the process of address them. Meanwhile, a fresh shipment of Caprice PPVs have arrived into port.
To put things in a better perspective, is there anybody out there who has seen these Zeta-based models on the prowl?
Comments
Bring the Civilian version & the PPV BOTH here, make them here, preferably in a closed-down plant or somewhere in Michigan, and sell the daylights out of them. Wouldn’t have to worry about shipping them across the pond then.
WE NEED THIS CAR!
No this car is outdated.
I have not seen a caprice yet. But I did see Louisiana state police with a G8.
@ Hunter. One of the many freedoms we enjoy here in the US is the right to free speech, opinions included, and you are certainly entitled to yours, just as I am to mine. Although the Holden-built Caprice/G8/Commodore may seem dated, it is still a formidable vehicle.
Michigan State Police conducts police vehicle testing every year, and they put the Caprice PPV up against the Ford Taurus & Crown Vic. and the Dodge Charger, and the Caprice win mostly every category, including overall…more horsepower, more torque, higher top-end, faster acceleration, shorter braking distance, better handling and more.
That being said, although the Caprice may seem a bit dated, as a police vehicle, it blows the doors off all the other models tested.
Also, if they are too outdated, then why did they “fly” off the lot at the dealer in Maryland that sold a few to civilians in a matter of days?
That’s because of a few crazed Zeta maniacs who really wanted a G8, but could only get the Caprice. 🙂
I think Hunter ment the civilian version of the Caprice; in which I would agree, the Caprice is outdated. The interior especally is low-rent enough to make people think ‘Cobalt”.
So a handful of Caprices were sold in Maryland via loophole, but doesn’t serve as a reliable metric with which to gauge the sale of the Caprice to the public at large.
Yes. Exactly.
I would argue that a select few buyers in the segment (large mainstream/non-luxury family sedans), care about the drive wheels. Instead, they’re much more discerning of interior quality/craftsmanship and price. Don’t get me wrong, I love RWD and wish almost every model were offered with it. But those days are over, and RWD has been relegated to enthusiast circles.
My town’s police is going to move 75% of its fleet to Caprices. Currently we are at 15%. The remaining 15% are Explorers and we have already gotten one of the new ones.
Good to know, thanks Chris!
Fond du Lac, WI City PD has at least two currently in duty. Personally, I can not wait for these cars to hit the police auctions. 😉