New Interceptor Sedans and All-Wheel Drive SUVs Built in Chicago for Chicago Residents
CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–December 19, 2012. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy today accepted 51 new Ford Interceptor law enforcement vehicles from the City’s $15 million order of 500 sedans and SUVs. The City’s order was placed earlier this year through an open, online reverse auction. The vehicles are manufactured at the Ford Plant on Chicago’s South Side and the entire order is expected to be delivered during the next five years
“Hundreds of new jobs were created to build these cars and they will now help the Chicago Police Department do its job of patrolling our corners, our blocks and our neighborhoods to keep our communities safe,” said Mayor Emanuel. “When Chicagoans manufacture automobiles that will keep Chicagoans safe, this City is a better place to live, work and raise our families.”
The new vehicles feature all-wheel drive and a stability control system that provides officers with a safer driving experience. In addition, the interior is designed to accommodate officers and their equipment, and the engine provides a better estimated fuel economy.
“The vehicles will continue to provide the Chicago Police Department the tools we need to protect our residents and communities,” said Superintendent McCarthy. “Whether they are responding to calls or driving their beats, our officers will know their vehicles will safely meet the demands of police work.”
The 51 vehicles represent a mix of marked and unmarked utility vehicles and sedans. More vehicles will be arriving each day, until the first order of 95 is complete. The Police Department is expected to receive a second delivery of 90 vehicles in March 2013.
In 2011, Ford announced that nearly 2,000 new jobs and a third shift were being created at the Torrence Avenue Ford plant. Two hundred and thirty of those jobs were created specifically to support the production of the new Interceptors. Additional manufacturing and support jobs are expected to be created at the plant over time.
Prior to the new third shift, the plant produced the Ford Taurus, Ford SHO, and Lincoln MKS vehicles. In addition to the 1,200 manufacturing jobs at the plant, several hundred additional jobs will be created across the street from the Ford facility as part of Ford’s only North American supplier park, which will grow to support the third shift.
The 500 City vehicles are being purchased through a Chicago Ford dealership and a Bensenville Ford dealership and all of them will be manufactured at the Ford Torrence Avenue plant. This was one of the first major city orders from for the new Ford Interceptor.
Mayor Emanuel has been committed to helping the Ford plant expand and succeed. His efforts include a multi-department effort to help accommodate the ongoing expansion with approximately $13.6 million in TIF funded improvements, including a Chicago Department of Transportation project at 130th and Torrence Avenue to help minimize traffic issues as well as site planning for Ford’s purchase of land for a new parking area.
Source: cityofchicago.org