Why did Caprice exit Police/Taxi market?

[persono98]

I was wondering why Caprices were no longer used as police and taxis. It seems as if the market was given to Ford. Can anyone shed some light? Thanks.

[Kooterskkar]

Possibly because Chevy decided to discontinue them? The police market is always looking for new and better cars. IMO the new Crown Vics are NOT better than the old caprices, but they get better gas mileage. Which is why the police use them. Im not sure why chevy decided to stop production on the caprice, but that was a bad move.

[HLandin]

It probably has a lot to do with fuel mileage/emissions.

Another thing to remember, and it is hard for me to keep in mind, is that the Caprice is no Mustang. What I mean when I say that is, to those who are not in love with the Caprice, it does not seem like a sporty car. What those people cannot realize is the enormous potential under the hood, even without modifications.

[kpw olds]

Originally Posted by HLandin

It probably has a lot to do with fuel mileage/emissions.

Another thing to remember, and it is hard for me to keep in mind, is that the Caprice is no Mustang. What I mean when I say that is, to those who are not in love with the Caprice, it does not seem like a sporty car. What those people cannot realize is the enormous potential under the hood, even without modifications.

Actually the '94-'96 will out-perform a same-year rustang GT - according to the Michigan State Police tests...

As far as GM getting out of the RWD business, they are stupid. I talked to a gent in GM special vehicles once, he stated that GN would not even consider a car unless they were guaranteed 100k units...

GM is stupid, IMO!

[HLandin]

I think you misunderstood what I meant. I was not talking performance being less than Mustang, I was talking appearances. Unless there is something wrong with a police package Caprice, it WILL beat a Mustang. I loooove to race Mustangs at lights. And guess who wins? And mine is a '90. The 94-96 with LT1 engines have higher torque and horsepower, so it should be no contest.

If you want to look like a spoiled rich kid, buy a mustang. If you want to look like a sleeper, buy a caprice (the few out there you can still get).

[burnM]

^^ F-kin' A!!

[hellraiser319]

actually if you really think about it, caprices are still in the cop/taxi market. the 9C1's were basically Impala SS's geared toward performance and not so much comfort. in essence, they are still being used, just as the crappy, v6, pffft versions, w/o their caprice cousins.

[HLandin]

Negative. Impalas were discontinued in 1987 and were re-introduced in the 90's as an option for the Caprice and continued to be until the discontinuing of the Caprice/Impala line. Basically, Impala was souped up Caprice (interior/exterior) while possessing same drivetrain. As for 9C1, that is the Chevy code for any police package vehicle (Caprice, Impala, etc.).

Post 97 Impalas are not same as previous years. Changes include V6 engine (only size now available), front wheel drive (verses rear wheel drive), and smaller overall size.

[radioman2002]

The reason for the demise of the Caprice/Implala line was pure money. The bean counters at GM found that they weren't making enough on the cars to justify their existance. In case you don't know Chevrolet makes very little or no money on a Caprice 9C1, due to kickbacks and givebacks to municipalaties. The 1990 I purchased new through an agency actually cost them money.
I will tell you that Chevrolet was very sheepish when it came to going to the police conferences and shows after the demise . They were so berated by police departments and municipalaties that they even stopped attending for a year.
Personnaly I still don't think the new Impala is a police car, it's another of GM's you will buy what we make attitude. The same attitude that nearly broke them in the 80's.

[Zebisko]

What I don't understand the most is that they had the factories ready to build LS1 Caprices, had it tested, and then they canned it. Doesn't make much sense if you ask me. Oh well, they are supposed to come out with rear-drive V-8 Impalas soon anyway. Or bring the Caprice back. Either way it is good.

[HLandin]

Radioman, when you say Caprices were unprofitable, which year/model are you referring to? The Caprice did not stay the same throughout years and had some major changes (L05 to LT1, body changes, etc.).

[radioman2002]

The information I got was, that after the model change in 1991, most of the private sales dried up. The police car market stayed the same. The costs for building the car continued to rise and the profit margine continued to shrink. Ford bean counters did the same thing with the Crown Vic, but quickly reversed itself when Chevrolet cancelled the Caprice. If you look at both the C.V. and Caprice for the model years 1994-96, each manufacureer tried to out do the other with perks in the police model, I suspect that hastened the bean counters to kill the Caprice. After the demise of the Caprice, Ford's C.V.P.I. became very stark with options, as were all police cars made in the 70's and 80's.

[HLandin]

Thanks for the info radioman. I must admit that I am partial to the 1989-1990 caprice (probably because I grew up with a 90), but any year is nice. I see if I can post some pictures soon.

[hellraiser319]

the 9C1 caprices are too imapala ss', their just marketed as the caprice classic. i, along with my friend have looked at at least 30 of these for his new car a while ago and the titles were all branded caprice/ impala ss on the titles i wasnt saying that impala's were 9C1's, im just saying 9C1 a hybrid between the two, and in essence, since the impalas continued past 96, the caprice probly would have had the same body style if it was continued. im well aware that 9C1 is the police package, just like the B4C on Camaro's is the special service package used by police departments.

[hellraiser319]

and yes i did know they had the V6's and front wheel drive now, the bs versions. just like all the other gm products out now.