why are american police cars

[SPAGo 98]

almost always lower-end cars like Fords or Chevys, while European police cars are often higher-end brands - Volvos, BMWs, Mercedes? (i've even seen a picture of a porsche police car! )

 

[MosMom]

Because their citizens pay the kind of taxes that can afford Porsche police cars.

 

[Banzai]

Because we can have more lower priced cars for more protection!

 

[gepetto]

In Germany most the cabs are Mercedes.

 

[Bob O]

I cant speak for other citie but in our city the lowest bidder gets the contract. And i dobut the foreign companies will sell their cars as cheap as the american made ones will.

 

[Buz]

Here in Texas we have State Troopers in Mustangs, Camaros and F150 Pickups in addition to the requisite Caprice.

Buz

 

[iluvorlando]

I think it is because Ford and Chevy have had a stranglehold on the police/sheriff/state troopers. They offer the best prices, plus their production line.... My DH drives a FORD (yes, you know the one that can blow up if rearended?). Well......his department has decided that the next go round will be CHEVY's. Just so you won't worry.......they did recall all the cars and his squads was fixed last week. I hope the departments directly effected by those accidents have been repaired as well.

 

[SPAGo 98]

best prices, but what does that mean? makes me feel like they don't value our safety.

 

[MosMom]

Why does the police car have anything to do with our safety? It's not like they are driving Yugo's. I'd rather the extra money that could be spent on a BMW go to an extra officer anyway.

 

[Bob O]

If it comes down to price or officer safety, price will win out every time!!! At least where i live!

 

[allicat]

Iluvorlando, My DH drives one of those unsafe police cars as well.
No one has even addressed the situation in his department!
I wish they would get rid of them but DH says that will never happen. Cost is the factor there.Unfortunately, Bob O. I have to agree with your comment about price winning over safety. Thats the way it works in DH dept. too!

 

[MosMom]

Are Impala's and Crown Victoria's terribly unsafe cars? That is what they drive around here. I think the highway patrol has a few Camaro's. I didn't know that these cars were so unsafe.

 

[wdw4us2]

Lowest bidder always wins in any government contract, whether it's police cars or the Space Shuttle.

Imagine how it must feel blasting off knowing that the lowest bidder supplied the parts?

I don't think driving an inexpensive American car is as scary for the police.

Lisa

 

[iluvorlando]

MosMom,
I would have to say the the safety of the cars has been relatively good, when you consider that most police cars are driven 24/7/365. However, with the Ford crown vics they have had several accidents killing and/or severely injuring officers because of the location of the gas tank. It explodes at a certain impact.

Allicat,
While I am thankful that DH department took care of this, isn't it just typical? I don't know if the union has anything to do with it. Is your DH union? If yes, I would see if a complaint could be lodged.

Bob O,
I think all law enforcement (and there SO) would agree with you there. Unfortunately, city government is who makes the deals here. Lowest bidder wins all the time. Don't even get me started on back up weapons or shotguns....We know the criminals are better armed than our law enforcement.

Spago,
I should have said lowest bidder. Sorry.

 

[mrsv98]

Volvos, Audia, BMWs and the like are made in Europe and are not subject to the import and sometimes luxury taxes as they are in America. They are much more common. Conversely, you wouldn't see American cars being used as fleet cars in Europe for the same reason.

Also, in terms of reliability, Fords and Chevy are made for that kind of heavy driving. My DH had a Chevy Caprice, looked just like a cop's car and other cars would act nervous when were drove behind them , when we sold it, we had several offers to sell it to overseas dealers who in turn sell them to third world countries to be used as taxis and such. They like those kinds of cars because they are easy to maintain and reliable.

 

[Bob O]

Driving a American made car isnt scary but when problems are found it would be re-assuring to see your dept do something about it right away rather than wait till a tragedy occurs and then do something. As for the Space Shuttle im sure its not re-assuring for the astronauts but alot more police officers die in collisions than people who fly the space shuttle. Our cars arent used for a couple of days and then grounded for months and being checked thoroughly by teams of experts. Are cars are used 24hrs a day/365 days a year.

 

[EROS]

I say let's trade in all of those Ford Victorias and give the boys in blue some BEETLES . Hey, we all know that German machines are more reliable. So we lose a few perps in those fancy high speed chases which often kill civilians as well as brave cops anyway...............

 

[iluvorlando]

I don't know EROS, I bet they could find some way to make those bugs fly. You'll be pleased to know that high speed chases are prohibited by DH's department.

But.....how would they transport the bad guys?

 

[SPAGo 98]

hey those little beetles can ZOOM if you let them loose...

 

[EROS]

Originally posted by iluvorlando


But.....how would they transport the bad guys?

Put them in.................THE TRUNK . The HEH crowd would just love THAT ............