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Los Angeles Police Department insignia seen on police car door - Source: ONE News -
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The Los Angeles Police Department's next generation of police cars could be Australian-made Holdens.
Holden is trying to break into the lucrative US police market with a pitch to build a Chevrolet Caprice patrol car for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
The car manufacturer's executive director for sales and
marketing, John Elsworth, said the Victorian-built car could be on
LA streets by 2011 if a deal is clinched.
Elsworth said that even a fraction of the US market of 70,000 to
80,000 new police cars per year would be a major manufacturing
boost to the company.
"Opportunities like this don't come around very often," Elsworth said.
"We are working hard to deliver a world-class product worthy of serious consideration by the police."
Holden is showing off its car - equivalent to a muscled-up, long-wheel-base Statesman - to American chiefs of police this week at an international conference in Denver, Colorado.
But Holden says it is too early to put an export figure on the potential deal.
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr is in Detroit leading an automotive delegation and having talks with Ford and General Motors executives.
"We understand the competition will be very tough, as will be the procurement regime," he said.
"We wish General Motors Holden the best in pursuing this deal."
Victorian Industry and Trade Minister Martin Pakula visited Holden's Port Melbourne facility to view plans for the police car on Tuesday.
"This joint initiative between Victorian company National Safety Agency (NSA) and Holden could see local vehicles and specialised technology exported to North America each year," he said.
"By combining Holden vehicles with the high-tech, in-vehicle systems from NSA, they are offering a complete deal to North American law enforcement agencies like the LAPD."
LAPD representatives have examined the car plans with a view to it ahead of scheduled replacement of the force's current fleet, due next year.
