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By EWAN
KENNEDY
12 October 2009
Still hurting from the loss of business caused by the cancelling
of orders from Buick and Pontiac in the USA, GM Holden has
launched a new initiative on the North American market. This time
with a fascinating looking PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) based on
the long-wheelbase Holden Caprice.
PPVs are a huge market in the USA, accounting for some 70,000
vehicles a year and would make a significant difference to
Holden's balance sheet, as well as to the Australians employed to
build the cars in this country.
Badged the Chevrolet Caprice in its new format, the
purpose-designed police vehicle has been put together in Holden's
design and engineering facilities in Melbourne. Using the standard
Holden Caprice body, the proposed police vehicle seems sure to
appeal because of its spacious back seat and large boot.
Additional features of the police pack include a high-output
alternator, a second battery in the boot to power additional
lights and other electric equipment, engine oil and transmission
coolers, 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on centre caps, larger
than normal four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads,
heavy-duty suspension components and a police-calibrated
electronic stability control system
The fact that it can be ordered with a large V8 engine won't do it
any harm at all, though the Holden V6s are also on the proposed
police price list.
There's no doubting Holden's expertise in building police vehicle,
it has done so in Australia for many decades – to the regret of
many thousands of bad guys. This latest Holden police model, the
Chevrolet Caprice has just been presented to the annual convention
of police chiefs in Denver in the USA and we await with interest
the number of sales on the other side of the Pacific.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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