Crown Vic News

(Dearborn, MI) BlueOvalNews.com - The heat just got turned up a few degrees regarding the future of Ford's Crown Victoria. The Crown Victoria, along with the Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car are the only large, rear wheel drive cars Ford offers. There is intense speculation that all three "Panther" body cars will be eliminated from Ford's lineup before 2010.

The latest row started when a Ford salesman posted on BlueOvalForums.com | LINK | that Ford distributed order guides for the 2008 Crown Victoria. Those order guides state that all Crown Victoria models were for non-retail orders only. BlueOvalNews.com has confirmed that Ford did release three order guides for the 2008 Crown Victoria and none of them were for retail, consumer sales.

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The first order guide is for the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor version. The second is for Crown Victoria Commercial models. Commercial models are generally regulated for Taxi and long wheel base versions. The third and final order guide is for fleet sales. Fleet sales are historically intended for rental, government and large company purchases. According to the fleet order guide, those models are for "VSO" or special vehicle orders only.

A Ford Motor Company spokesman told BlueOvalNews that the Crown Victoria was still available for retail sales. When asked if this included the 2008 model year Crown Victoria, Ford said they have not yet announced those plans.

Sales for the Crown Victoria have been declining steadily since hitting a high of 110,000+ units in 1998 and 1999. Last year, Ford sold 62,976 Crown Victoria models. See the Crown Victoria's historical sales figures at the end of this article.

Sales of the Crown Victoria (Jan-Feb '07) have so far totaled 9,980 units. While that's a drop of -10.8% compared to the same period a year ago when Ford sold 11,187 models, it's too early to tell if those weak sales figures will continue as most fleet sales occur later in the year. A majority of Crown Victoria sales are to non-retail customers.

Just for comparison, the Dodge Charger, Ford's main competition, has so far sold 18,216 units in 2007, down from the 19,885 units sold during the same time a year ago.

The Ford Crown Victoria and its twin, the Mercury Grand Marquis are both made at Ford's St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada Assembly Plant. Lincoln's Town Car, also made off of the same basic platform, the "Panther" body is made at Ford's Wixom, Michigan Assembly Plant. Wixom has already been slated to close with Town Car production said to be moving to St. Thomas.

Speculation has been growing that Ford will discontinue the Lincoln Town Car and replace it with the Lincoln MKS. The MKS will be made at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant. What's not clear is if Ford is committed to redesigning the Crown Victoria - maybe based off of the Ford Interceptor Concept or letting it die a slow death by regulating it to fleet only sales. . . much like they did with the Ford Taurus.

Ford Crown Victoria Sales Figures:
2006: 62,976
2005: 63,939
2004: 70,816
2003: 78,541
2002: 79,716
2001: 95,261
2000: 92,047
1999: 114,669
1998: 111,531

[MAX]

Don't worry CVPI fans Chevy has something coming.



Chevy's Secret Impala: GM starts work on RWD sedan for 2010
New sedan will feature unique sheetmetal from bumper to bumper
October 25, 2006


By Todd Lassa
Photography by the Manufacturer
The car you see here is a rendering based on one of two design proposals under consideration for the 2010 Chevy Impala, a rear-drive sedan to be built on the same Zeta rear-drive architecture as the 2009 Camaro and-as we revealed exclusively last month-also likely to underpin an all-new Pontiac Grand Prix.



Unlike the Grand Prix, which is being pitched as a mildly tweaked version of the all-new Australian-designed and engineered Holden Commodore slated to make its debut at the Chicago Auto Show in February, the new Impala will feature unique sheetmetal from bumper to bumper.

A rear-drive Impala is a logical move for Chevy. It allows GM to increase the Impala's size, making it a clear step up from the all-new Malibu due next year. It also allows Chevy to offer a mainstream car with powertrains of more than 300 horses, including a range of V-8s. Finally, it provides a foundation for a two-tier Chevy range, composed of front-drive small and medium-size cars and rear-drive larger cars.

Building a new Impala off the Zeta architecture also will enable GM to spread some of the investment required for the Camaro across two model lines, as the cars will share mechanicals and numerous sheetmetal components under the skin. That eases the pressure on the Camaro to return the same profit margins Ford needs to justify building the Mustang, which shares few parts with any other FoMoCo vehicle.

Final decision on the new Impala's styling isn't likely until next year. But the car will feature Chevy's bold new corporate grille and an interior that builds on the substantial improvements in quality and presentation shown by the new Tahoe and Suburban.



Zeta Rear SuspensionNEED TO KNOW

6.2-liter V-8 is likely to be the top engine. Expect at least 400 horsepower, with cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy. Also likely to be available will be GM's high-feature 3.6-liter V-6 and a 5.3-liter V-8.

Standard transmission is likely to be GM's new six-speed automatic. Performance versions, badged SS, probably will be offered with a six-speed manual.

Bold new grille is similar in execution to the 2008 Malibu's. Front overhang is short, and the wide front track means the wheels are pushed right to the corners of the car, giving it a sporty stance.

Fast backlight gives a rakish, almost coupelike profile that pays homage to the beautifully proportioned Impalas of the late 1960s. Rear deck is short and trunk opening narrow to accentuate strong shoulders.

Zeta rear suspension also will be on new Camaro and Pontiac Grand Prix. Features beefy L-shaped single upper link, two lower links, and adjustable toe-control link. Coil-over shocks keep entire assembly compact.