WAR ON V8s: WILL THE TAURUS-BASED POLICE INTERCEPTOR "COLLAPSE" FORD'S COP CAR HEGEMONY?

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Truth with Speedzzter isn't the only voice expressing skepticism that the announced V8-less Taurus/Police Interceptor will crater Ford Motor Company's domination of the police car market. John Rosevear at "The Motley Fool" investment website argues in a post entitled "Ford's Looming Market Share Collapse":

GM and Chrysler, like Smith & Wesson (Nasdaq: SWHC), L-1 Identity Solutions (NYSE: ID), TASER International (Nasdaq: TASR), and other companies that sell to the police market, know that many police departments want the tried-and-true. Both are sticking with the traditional formula -- while Chrysler's revised Dodge Charger, due later this year, is expected to address officer complaints about the relatively small trunk and limited visibility in the current model, it will still be a large rear-wheel-drive sedan with (lots of) V8 power available.

Likewise the new fleet-only Chevrolet Caprice, which will be built on an extended version of the same rear-wheel-drive platform that underpins the Camaro. GM has said that the Caprice will be available with a high-horsepower V8 and cop-friendly features like special seats and an oversized trunk.

Of course neither the unibody Charger or the Australian immigrant formerly known as Pontiac G8 have the rock-solid durability and cheap repair costs of the anvil-tough, body-on-frame Panther-based Crown Victoria/Police Interceptor. But both will be closer to "tried-and-true" than the Volvo-derived Taurus Police Interceptor. Thus, many expect the mostly unloved Taurus to lose much of the Panther's loyal following.