Ford has announced that it intends to stay in the police car business when it discontinues its rear wheel drive sedans in 2011. In a press release, the auto maker said that “the new Ford Police Interceptor is being developed in conjunction with Ford's Police Advisory Board” and “will be offered without interruption when production of the Ford Crown Victoria ends in late 2011.”

The report also notes that the new police package will be engineered and built in America which might suggest that it will be based on a current large platform such as the Taurus, although the press release did not mention whether the new car will be built off an existing U.S. model.

Whatever shape it takes, Ford’s new police car will see more competition. Chrysler is currently selling a rear drive Dodge Charger police package and General Motors recently announced that it will offer a rear wheel drive police cruiser based on a Holden chassis from Australia. Additionally, Carbon Motors of Connersville, Indiana, has developed a purpose-built large sedan for use by police departments and other emergency personnel.

Speculation is running rampant that Ford’s offering could be an Australian import based on the rear drive Falcon that it sells in that market. Hold off putting money on that bet. GM has recent experience importing cars from Australia, Ford doesn’t (and the last Mercury Capri doesn’t count). Furthermore, Ford is known to have been working up a police package for the Taurus. Police departments aren’t sold on front wheel drive chassis for cop cars but they’re going to have to move out of their comfort zone anyway, so if Ford comes in with a durable, cost-effective package they might have a chance of hanging onto market share here.

Watch for final details about the package in early 2010.

--M.D.