Press Release
Chevrolet Announces that Arlington Plant will Make Police Tahoe
10/01/96
Chevrolet Taps Arlington Plant to Produce First Tahoe for Police Use; Vortec V8 Tahoe Concepts Proved Popular With Police DALLAS, Sept. 27 -- Today, Chevrolet announced it will begin making the first full-size, sport utility pursuit vehicle designed specifically for law enforcement -- the Vortec V8 Tahoe -- at General Motors' Arlington, Tex. assembly plant next year. "And here's a Texas sample," said John G. Middlebrook, Chevrolet General Manager, as he revealed a Chevrolet Tahoe with Texas State Trooper signage at the Texas State Fair. "This Tahoe is similar to the concepts we showed at the Detroit and Los Angeles auto shows earlier this year," he said. "The old saying is true -- 'If you make it, they will come.' We got so many calls from Federal agencies, state police and municipal police departments scattered across the country, that we decided to make the concept a reality. So far, we've received thousands of pre-commitments from police agencies, and will begin to take firm orders after the first of the year. Many law enforcement officers cited their satisfaction with the Chevrolet Caprice, and their continuing need for a full-size vehicle after Caprice production ends." Chevrolet has scheduled production of the Chevrolet Vortec V8 Tahoe Police Package for the summer of 1997. The police Tahoe is a full-size, four-door, two-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle that offers the superior, roomy, full-frame ruggedness that many law enforcement agencies want, plus the V8 power that they need. Chevrolet's Vortec 5700 V8 with sequential fuel injection generates 255 horsepower, ideal for high-speed pursuit. "The Tahoe Police Package continues Chevrolet's tradition of commitment to law enforcement agencies," said Middlebrook. "We take that commitment seriously, so we tested the concept Tahoe with police agencies to get their technical input and to gauge their interest." Police departments, such as the Michigan State Police and Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, were impressed with Chevrolet's attention to detail. The Tahoe Police Package is available with all the police options previously available on the Caprice, plus new options, including power driver lumbar support and dual 770 CCA batteries. The following equipment also specifically addresses police agency needs: * Air conditioning wide open throttle cut-off * Air conditioning head pressure relief switch * Alternator -- 140 amp * Axle -- 4.10 ratio * Battery -- 770 CCA * Bonding straps -- Additional for radio suppression * Brakes -- Heavy duty * Fuel pump with RFI filter * Grille -- Argent colored * Headlamps -- Rectangular seal beam halogen * Locking differential * Oil cooler -- Engine & transmission * Spare -- Full size * Speedometer -- Certified 130 mph with gauges * Suspension -- Heavy duty * Tires -- P235/70R15 "V" Speed Rated * Wheels -- 15" x 7" black steel with center cap * Wiring provision -- 12-volt power supply The Chevrolet Vortec V8 Tahoe Police Package supplements the Vortec V8 Tahoe's rugged standard content, and also includes a special police chassis and police front end appearance. The package is sure to provide governments -- at all levels -- and their taxpayers with a long-lasting return on their investments in terms of utility and resale value. Tahoe is a very rugged vehicle by its nature because it is a sport utility vehicle. It is designed to perform in more demanding situations than passenger cars, so presumably Tahoe would reduce operating costs due to less downtime for repair and maintenance.