[Ming]

Someone has to explain why the guys in the Middle East get the cool Holden police cars and we get.....FWD Impalas....

http://members.fortunecity.com/copcarsite/gmme.html

Chevrolet's police cars draw the Motor Show crowds

United Arab Emirates

Chevrolets specified by the Dubai police department are being displayed for the first time at this year's motor show.
'The police department are so satisfied with their Lumina patrol cars and Tahoe rescue vehicles that they gave special permission for them to be exhibited,' said GM's fleet sales manager Muneer Alhasan. 'The Lumina is a dedicated police model and the Tahoe has been specially modified to suit the requirements of the department of rescue and transport.'

Often the unsung heroes of the auto business, the police vehicles are having their day in the spotlight at the motor show, far from overshadowed by the glamorous array of powerful roadsters, athletic SUVs, and high-tech concept cars that usually claim centre stage.

The modified Chevrolet Tahoe by Dubai Police Transportation Dept plays a life-saving role on Dubai's accident-prone streets and highways, and the model on display at the motor show has been a prime crowd-puller since opening day.

The Tahoes are front-line troops whenever crashes occur and drivers or passengers are trapped in the wreckage. Their high-power hydraulic spreading and cutting machinery can quickly open crushed bodywork and allow occupants to be freed. They are also used to support sea-rescue operations and during fires when people are trapped in burning buildings.

The Chevrolet Lumina police car is used by forces in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, with more than 6,500 on duty in Saudi Arabia alone. In Kuwait, the Chevrolet Caprice is the vehicle of choice for police work, while the Jordanian ministry of interior has just signed up for 118 Chevrolet TrailBlazers to do the job.


Chevrolets specified by the Dubai police department are being displayed for the first time at this year's motor show in the city and the specially fitted-out vehicles are proving star attractions:

Article Here

 

[chev454ls]

I think it would be great to have something like that over here. I guess the only reason they use Impalas is because they provide almost the same performance and better gas mileage than the Crown Vic.

 

[b1ancardi]

a Holden Commodore could whip a Crown Vic or an Impala....... with ease.

 

[SS4EVER]

Originally posted by b1ancardi@Feb 9 2004, 02:55 AM
a Holden Commodore could whip a Crown Vic or an Impala....... with ease.

...and your point?

 

[banzai79]

Yeah, them smokies don't need to go fast, you're never going to go faster than a radio broadcast.

 

[casket_demon]

Hell the FWD Impalas whip on them Crown Vics, and who'd want something like a Commodore or a GTO in their rearview mirror anyways if thinking about running from the law or not, I wouldn't.

 

[aball]

Check out what the coppers in Australia are driving.

Holden Commodore SS (New South Wales highway patrol)
Holden Commodore (New South Wales general duties)
HSV GTO (Victoria trial highway patrol)
Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo (Queensland higway patrol)
Ford Falcon (Queensland general duties)

Apart from the HSV GTO these cars are in regular use by all states in Australia. Until recently the Commodore SS was the weapon of choice for most highway work but with a set of 18" tyres costing over AUD$2000, Falcons (with their 17" wheels) are becoming more popular. Holden is apparently considering using the 17" wheels from the SS wagon and SS Ute on higway patrol cars. They are the same design, only an inch smaller.

 

[monaroCountry]

Even better is the coupe 4 (V8 4WD with more power than the GTO). Ramraiders and WRX/evo drivers look out.

 

[jro4566]

Why doesn't America get cool police cars like that!?!

 

[airbalancer]

cost could be the factor why most of the police car in Noth America are Crown Vic and Impalas.

 

[mmciau]

IIRC, the NA police forces in 1997-1998 wanted to trial/use Commodores but the NA industrial parties forbade it.

IIRC, the manufacturer even considered a "hire company" as the sole importer/ distributor for these purposes but that was dropped because of warranty issues.

Mike

 

[FunkyPig]

Yeah I remmeber the US cop car thing.... Holden chief at the time said something like, nice idea, but one lawsuit could put Holden out of business.