Still hurting from the loss of business caused by the cancelling of orders from Buick and Pontiac in the USA, GM Holden has launched a new initiative on the North American market. This time with a fascinating looking PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle) based on the long-wheelbase Holden Caprice.

PPVs are a huge market in the USA, accounting for some 70,000 vehicles a year and would make a significant difference to Holden's balance sheet, as well as to the Australians employed to build the cars in this country.

Badged the Chevrolet Caprice in its new format, the purpose-designed police vehicle has been put together in Holden's design and engineering facilities in Melbourne. Using the standard Holden Caprice body, the proposed police vehicle seems sure to appeal because of its spacious back seat and large boot.

Additional features of the police pack include a high-output alternator, a second battery in the boot to power additional lights and other electric equipment, engine oil and transmission coolers, 18-inch steel wheels with bolt-on centre caps, larger than normal four-wheel disc brakes with heavy-duty brake pads, heavy-duty suspension components and a police-calibrated electronic stability control system.

The fact that it can be ordered with a large V8 engine won't do it any harm at all, though the Holden V6s are also on the proposed police price list.

There's no doubting Holden's expertise in building police vehicle, it has done so in Australia for many decades – to the regret of many thousands of bad guys. This latest Holden police model, the Chevrolet Caprice has just been presented to the annual convention of police chiefs in Denver in the USA and we await with interest the number of sales on the other side of the Pacific.