An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Chapman Ford submitted about 350 orders for Explorers to Ford for municipalities in Union County. The article should have stated Chapman Ford submitted about 350 orders for Explorers to Ford for municipalities across the state of Ohio. The article has been updated for accuracy.
Local police departments may be affected by the shortage of police cruisers in production at Ford, as certain parts remain in limited supply.
“The automotive industry continues to be confronted by supply chain shortages. Ford is working diligently to ensure our police vehicles are delivered on a timely basis to meet customer demand,” said Elizabeth Kraft, the North America communications manager at Ford Pro.
Kraft would not provide specific details about the supply chain shortages, saying Ford Pro does not “disclose part information or nameplate production volumes.”
Joe Chapman of Chapman Ford said the micro-chip shortage “is the crux of the battle for sure” for every manufacturer in the automotive industry.
“We’re all in the same pool in scarcity in the micro-chips,” Chapman said.
He explained that Ford is only building vehicles that have proof of sale.
According to the Ford Media Center, more than 12,000 police departments in the U.S. purchase Ford vehicles, including the Richwood Police Department and the Marysville Division of Police.
“I know the police department is a big priority to Ford,” Chapman said.
He added that he has submitted about 350 orders for Explorers to Ford for municipalities across the state of Ohio. He said it is “somewhat unknown when vehicles will arrive” with the limited commodity.
He said his dealership can accept orders for 2023 Explorers, but the “window is closing” soon, so he urges local municipalities to purchase the vehicles now.
“I think they will get them, it just might not be as timely as in the past,” Chapman said. “Everything is taking an abnormally slow time.”
Richwood Police Chief Monte Asher recently approached the Village of Richwood Council about ordering a new vehicle.
“We’re going to be needing a cruiser because our other one is now 7, going on 8, years old,” Asher said.
He explained that the standard is to trade in police cruisers every seven years because of the mileage.
Asher recommended ordering one now because it is uncertain when it will be delivered. He added that the department’s fleet currently consists of three cruisers from 2015, 2016 and 2020.
The village police department purchased the 2015 model with village funds, and the 2016 model with an Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS)/Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) grant of $25,000 in the same time frame, said Lt. Jim Hill.
As for Marysville, Police Chief Tony Brooks said he has ordered seven Ford SUV Interceptors from Chapman Ford.
“We placed our order with Chapman Ford because they price matched the state bid price, because they are local and they do accept trade-ins; however, we won’t be trading any vehicles in at this time,” Brooks said.
Chapman clarified that his dealership is the state-bid holder, which means Chapman Ford can offer some of the best deals among other Ford dealerships.
Brooks hopes the vehicles will arrive next year, but said his department is “looking at other options in case some do not.”
He explained that the marked cruiser fleet includes one 2016 model, four 2017 models, four 2018 models, one 2019 model, four 2020 models, three 2021 models and three 2022 models. Brooks said the fleet includes two K-9 vehicles and one Command vehicle.
“Our goal is to replace a cruiser after six years of service, but that does not always happen for various reasons,” Brooks said.
Asher also plans to order a 2023 model through Chapman Ford because the dealership accepts trade-ins.
“If we’re going to do one, we ought to trade the one we’re getting rid of in to save that money,” he told the council.
Council members asked Asher to request a quote for a new cruiser. At a recent finance subcommittee meeting, Asher shared a ballpark figure of $45,000 for the cruiser. The upfitting of the vehicle for police operations would be an additional $8,000 and $10,000, said Fiscal Officer Sarah Sellers.
She said the village has funding for the vehicle in the capital outlay funds of the general budget.
“There are no open grants for this type of purchase at this time, nor do I know when there will be,” Hill added.
Asher said the department also would like to purchase a truck. In addition to the three cruisers, the department has a Ford Crown Victoria from the late 2000s.