When did Ford stop making Crown Victorias?
Ford stopped making Crown Victorias after the 2011 model year, with the final car built in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario.
The Crown Victoria, a longtime staple of North American fleets, served both civilian buyers and police departments for nearly two decades. Its retirement reflects Ford’s shift toward newer platforms and updated police-interceptor designs in the 2010s.
Why the era ended
The decision to discontinue the Crown Victoria came as Ford reevaluated its lineup to favor more modern, modular architectures that could accommodate evolving safety standards and fleet needs. As demand grew for lightweight, fuel-efficient, and modernized police vehicles, Ford pivoted to newer designs built on Taurus and Explorer platforms.
Where production ended and when
Production took place at Ford’s St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada. The final Crown Victoria rolled off the line in September 2011, marking the end of an iconic model that had become synonymous with policing and large-family sedans in North America.
Key facts about the Crown Victoria’s run
Below are essential points about its production span, market role, and the transition away from the model:
- The Crown Victoria was introduced for the North American market in 1992 and remained in production through 2011, including both civilian and police-interceptor variants.
- It was built on a traditional rear-wheel-drive, body-on-frame platform—traits that distinguished it from many contemporaries as the industry moved toward unibody designs.
- Ford replaced the Crown Victoria with newer Police Interceptor designs based on the Taurus and, later, the Explorer platform, as part of a broader fleet modernization effort.
- The final Crown Victoria for both civilian and law-enforcement use was produced in September 2011, ending a 19-year run in the U.S. and Canada.
Overall, the Crown Victoria’s end signaled a shift in fleet procurement toward more modern, versatile vehicles, while leaving a lasting imprint on police culture and popular imagination.
Summary
Ford ceased Crown Victoria production after the 2011 model year; the last unit rolled off the line in September 2011 at the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario, closing a chapter in Ford’s history of full-size sedans and police cruisers.
Does Ford Motor Company still make the Crown Victoria?
The Ford Crown Victoria was a full-size sedan produced by Ford from 1992 to 2011, known for its use as a police interceptor and taxi.
Why did Ford discontinue Crown Victoria?
Ford discontinued the Crown Victoria due to declining civilian sales, the vehicle's aging design, and a market shift towards SUVs. The final nail in the coffin was the inability to meet modern safety standards, like having standard electronic stability control, without a costly redesign of the body-on-frame platform. Since the model had a dedicated niche in police and fleet sales, Ford decided to end production in 2011, shifting focus to updated police-package versions of more modern vehicles like the Explorer and Taurus.
Key reasons for discontinuation
- Market shift: Consumer preferences changed significantly in the 1990s and 2000s, moving away from large, body-on-frame sedans toward SUVs and more fuel-efficient vehicles.
- Aging design and cost: The Panther platform, the Crown Victoria's foundation, was an old design that was expensive to update to modern standards. Implementing new safety features like electronic stability control was particularly difficult on this platform.
- Declining sales: Civilian sales had dwindled to the point where the model was no longer profitable as a retail vehicle.
- Safety standards: The Crown Victoria, with its body-on-frame design, could not be equipped with the standard electronic stability control that was mandated for the 2012 model year.
- New fleet competition: Ford planned to replace the Crown Victoria with its modern police-package offerings in the Explorer and Taurus SUVs, which had higher profit margins and could meet modern safety and fuel economy requirements.
Is Ford making a 2026 Crown Victoria?
Expect the new version to pack a full suite of infotainment trims with upscale interiors. And enough safety sensors to keep even the most paranoid driver.
When were the Crown Victorias discontinued?
September 15, 2011
| Ford Crown Victoria | |
|---|---|
| Production | January 1991 – September 15, 2011 |
| Model years | 1992–2012 |
| Assembly | Canada: Talbotville, Southwold, Ontario (St. Thomas Assembly) |
| Body and chassis |
