Is Ford signaling the end of the mighty Crown Vic?

The Detroit News announced today that Ford has plans to close their Ontario, Canada factory, by the end of 2010. The factory in St. Thomas is home to the Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Lincoln Town Car.

Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) president, Buzz Hargrove, told the Detroit News that, "There's nothing we can do to save St. Thomas."

The St. Thomas factory has made some glorious Ford vehicles in the past. From the firetacular Pinto, to the almost world car Escort. The 2.6 million square foot facility employs 2,400 people.

While it would be shame to see the Crown Vic, Grand Marquis and Town Car go on to that parking lot in the sky. These fall into that same category of cars that the old Taurus did. For really did nothing to the cars to keep them up to date. Other than very minor upgrades over the past few years, the cars themselves have not changed much cosmetically in the last 10 years. There was also Ford's "Late to the game" Mercury Marauder which was the answer to the Chevrolet Impala SS that went out of production in 1996, which also put GM out of the cop car game.

What Ford REALLY needs to do is revamp the Crown Victoria into a true modern rear wheel drive platform. If GM can develop a hybrid system that can move a heavyweight like the Escalade around, Ford can do the same to the Crown Vic. Having a hybrid system would do wonders for both police use and as taxi cabs.

Source: Detroit News.