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Holden-built Caprice Patrol Cars Hitting US Streets

The Holden-developed Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) has graduated to active duty. For the past month, the big Australian-built sedan has been patrolling a number of US counties and now, after a limited trial, the orders are beginning to


The Holden-developed Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) has graduated to active duty. For the past month, the big Australian-built sedan has been patrolling a number of US counties and now, after a limited trial, the orders are beginning to roll in.

So far, the Caprice PPV has been trialed by police departments in Georgia and Iowa. The sheriffs of Forsyth County and Cedar Rapids have selected the Caprice to replace their existing Ford Crown Vic and Chevrolet Impala fleets.

"We've had our vehicles for a month, and we're sold. This will be a worthwhile investment," Sheriff Ted Paxton said.

In Forsyth County, that amounts to 175 orders for Holden's Elizabeth plant to fill, on top of 23 sales of unmarked detective variants made during the trial phase.

The orders may come as no surprise for Holden however, with the Caprice PPV beating out the Ford Taurus and the Dodge Charger police vehicles in recent tests in Los Angeles.

Cedar Rapids PD Fleet Services Manager Dennis Hogan described the Caprice PPV as the best fit for officers who spend most of their time in the field.

"We view the police vehicle as an extended office for our officers," Hogan said.

"We chose the Caprice because it delivers optimal officer operational space, trunk and storage space, and generally provides our officers the most-suitable operating environment."

GM Fleet and Commercial Operations Manager Brian Small said the Caprice PPV is GM's response to the lengthy requirements of today's law enforcement agencies.

"In the design process of this vehicle, we polled many of our customers to gain insight. Thus far, the results seem to speak for themselves and prove that customer feedback is critical to meet and exceed expectations."

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