Issues
Ford Device Fails Crash Tests
It could worsen police car fuel leaks, officials say
July 16, 2003
BY JOCELYN PARKER
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
A device Ford Motor Co.
GM Praises Sales Success of Fuel Efficient Models
Between 1975 and 1978, GM increased its passenger car fuel economy by 26% from 15.2 to 19.2 mpg. In 1977, GM bounded ahead of Ford and Chrysler by more than 1 mpg by taking a 1,000 pounds of excess weight out of its largest cars. Not only were GM's new models a fuel economy success, they were a sales success as well. In December 1978 when the 1979 models were on sale, GM Chairman Thomas A Murphy said:
Each wave of new more fuel-efficient GM products has met with outstanding success in the competitive marketplace.
Limit Unsafe Police Cruisers
Poughkeepsie Journal
Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Across the country, police officers are still dying in Ford Crown Victorias. The New York State Police and local departments ought to avoid using these cars for non-emergency stops on high-speed highways. That’s the suggestion of the state troopers’ Police Benevolent Association, and it’s a reasonable one. It ought to be adopted by the state police, as well as municipal and county police.
Dealers Caught in Warranty War
Insurer’s problems force tough choices
By Donna Harris
Automotive News / June 30, 2003
Five thousand dealers who sold service contracts under the financially troubled Smart Choice program may have to choose between two evils – pay off hefty repair claims themselves, or tell angry customers to slug it out with insurers.
Either way, some dealers could lose.
Judge Allows Class Action Lawsuit over Fuel Tanks in Ford Police Cars
By ROBERT GOODRICH Post-Dispatch
06/25/2003
A ruling Wednesday by a St. Clair County judge clears the way for a class action trial on behalf of all Illinois law enforcement agencies that bought Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor cars back to the 1992 model.
Some police officers say the cars' gasoline tanks tend to rupture in crashes. Ford denies the accusation.
The suit was filed in August in circuit court in Belleville by lawyers for the cities of Centreville and Cairo, Ill. The lead plaintiffs now are Centreville and St. Clair County.
1999-2002 Volvo Electronic Throttle Module
Pressure Increases on Volvo to Pay to Replace Faulty ThrottlesAir quality officials press for a warranty extension. The firm also faces a class-action suit.By Myron Levin
Times Staff Writer
May 3, 2005
Defective throttles in 1999-2001 Volvos have been failing at unusually high rates, causing cars to stall, raising air emissions and sticking owners with costly repairs.
Crown Vic Faces Further Scrutiny
Attorneys general task force to probe Ford police interceptors over fire-related deaths
WASHINGTON — The nation’s attorneys general formed a task force Friday to investigate the safety of Ford’s Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. The bipartisan National Association of Attorneys General took the step at the group’s national meeting in Oklahoma City.
Union Acts to Protect Troopers from Car Fires
Albany — PBA president advises no highway stops except in emergencies
By JAMES M. ODATO, Times Union
June 13, 2003
The union for State Police troopers is advising its members not to stop on highways for non-emergencies — apparently including routine tickets.
In an unprecedented move, the State Troopers PBA President Daniel M. De Federicis is advising members to take steps to minimize the chances of accidents with their Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor vehicles, several of which have had fires after rear-end crashes.
CAS 1995 House Testimony on CAFE
STATEMENT OF CLARENCE M. DITLOW
DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY
Before the
SUBCOMMITTEE on ENERGY AND POWER
HOUSE COMMITTEE on COMMERCE
Washington DC July 24, 1995