EL DORADO, AR — A dispute with Arkansas' attorney general over claims made about its police cars has led Ford Motor Co. to suspend delivery of its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) to Arkansas agencies, according to the Associated Press on December 20. “We believe some of the representations made by Ford regarding the CVPI are false,” the Arkansas attorney general's office said. “We examined approximately 20 systems identified in Ford's marketing materials as CVPI features. Based upon our examination of the 2000 model, some of the features are present, others are not.” On hold are 249 cars, including 40 for the state police. Ford says all of the advertised features are present, including a heavy-duty frame, heavier springs, shocks and front stabilizer bar, as well as an additional rear stabilizer. “In contrast to the attorney general's claims, the steel wheel, found on all police interceptor vehicles, is heavy duty,” Ford said. The CVPI is also equipped with an engine oil cooler and a higher idle speed, which promotes greater coolant circulation speed during the extended idling periods that police vehicles often undergo. “In short, the Arkansas attorney general's findings are without merit,” said Tony Gratson, Ford's government sales manager, as quoted in the Associated Press article. Union County Sheriff Ken Jones said five cars were due for delivery recently but Ford refuses to release them to Arkansas. They were being held in Memphis, Tenn. Ford has asked for a waiver from the attorney general for future sales, which would allow it to sell the cars without the threat of litigation, but the state refused, Gratson said. “Ford dealers will not deliver vehicles, regardless of order date, because the state's top law enforcement department is incorrectly contending that the vehicle does not possess the attributes as advertised,” a Ford statement said.
Ford Won't Sell Cars to Arkansas Police
EL DORADO, AR — A dispute with Arkansas' attorney general over claims made about its police cars has led Ford Motor Co. to suspend delivery of its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) to Arkansas agencies, according to the Associated Press on December 20.
More Operations

Rachel Darken Named Fleet Service Superintendent
Madison names Rachel Darken as fleet service superintendent, citing her leadership in fleet optimization, electrification efforts, and workforce development initiatives.
Read More →
Lynchburg Names Ken Lett Director of Fleet Services
Veteran public sector fleet leader Ken Lett brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and technology-driven operations to his new role leading the City of Lynchburg’s fleet program.
Read More →
Meet the 2026 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Finalists
Recognizing excellence in public fleet leadership is no small task. Learn more about this year’s three outstanding finalists, and join us at GFX in Long Beach to see who takes home the honor.
Read More →
Oklahoma Statewide Fleet Vehicle Contract Multi-Year Agreement to Supply Fleet Vehicles to State Agencies and Municipalities
The Sewell Family of Companies has been awarded a statewide contract to supply fleet vehicles and services to government agencies across Oklahoma through 2032.
Read More →
Costs, AI, EVs, and Sales in Government Fleet | GovCast Shorts
On the go and want a snapshot of our top industry news? Check out Government Fleet's new video short of what's been happening.
Read More →
A Practical Approach to Fleet Cost Analysis in Government Operations
Government fleets face a distinct set of challenges that make cost analysis both more difficult and more critical.
Read More →
Closed: Vote Now for the Public Fleet Hall of Fame
Fleet professionals can now vote for the 2026 inductees of the Public Fleet Hall of Fame. Anyone affiliated with the public fleet industry, including fleet professionals, fleet technicians, or other staff members, and suppliers, can vote.
Read More →
Finding Your People | The Fleet Breakroom
Why the fleet community matters, how it helps with education and support, and why asking questions can save you more trouble than you think.
Read More →
Women in Fleet, Salary Trends, AI, and More| The March Dispatch
In this monthly lookback, we’re talking about Women’s History Month coverage, the latest Government Fleet salary data, how fleet leaders are dealing with nonstop change, and more.
Read More →
Safety by Design: Power and Protection in the Freightliner 114SD Plus
Safety and productivity go hand-in-hand on today’s vocational jobsites. The Freightliner 114SD Plus combines advanced driver-assist technologies with proven reliability to keep crews moving constantly from start to finish. Learn how safety by design can protect your team, reduce risk, and maximize uptime.
Read More →
